By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Staff, volunteers and board members met with a team of American Red Cross officials Saturday for a refresher course concerning operations of the East Escambia Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Elaine Clyburn, planning officer with the national Red Cross office in Memphis, teamed with Julie Schoening of the Birmingham chapter, to offer training and encouragement to local chapter volunteers.
The tabletop discussion held Saturday in Brewton offered a disaster scenario involving a 10-family apartment complex fire.
Rogene Martin, chapter director for the East Escambia chapter, said the information gained from the meeting will be invaluable to the Brewton group of volunteers.
During the meeting, Clyburn offered information on the five areas of concerns for any local chapter.
Typically, when a single or multi-family house fire occurs, Red Cross volunteers and staff respond with services that meet immediate needs of those affected by the fire, Martin said.
Martin said volunteers and financial donations to the chapter are needed in order to keep services available to those in need.
Financial contributions play a vital role in meeting needs for area disaster victims, Martin said.
Those interested in volunteering time and services or in making a financial donation to the East Escambia Chapter of the American Red Cross, make call the Brewton chapter at 867-3426 or visit the offices at 1014 Douglas Ave.