Red Cross Urges More Volunteers Are Needed

The local Canadian Red Cross Branch is pushing for more communication between volunteers, businesses and municipalities.
Disaster Management Volunteer Lead Joanne Matthews approached Dryden Council to call for open dialogue.
Matthews says cooperation is key to their operations.
She says the Red Cross needs volunteer numbers and they need employees to be cooperative and release them to help out when there is a disaster.
Matthews says a great example came a couple of years ago when the City was a host site for northern evacuees.
She says she doesn’t think the city realized that they actually had 2 employees who were trained to run the shelter.
She goes on to say unfortunately those employees didn’t realize the city was releasing some of its workers to go help out.
Matthews says businesses and organizations that free up staff to help in an emergency situation will benefit in the long-run.
She adds those who get the level of training are organized, compassionated, willing to give back to their community and dedicated.
The Red Cross pays for the training and to volunteer call 223-4751.