GRAND RAPIDS (WKZO-AM/FM) — While volunteers are calling the Red Cross to Join Texas relief efforts, some of the volunteers they have down south are being held back before entering the area.
Red Cross chapters in west Michigan are scrambling to organize “Zero to Hero” training programs to prepare new volunteers to work in disaster areas.
West Michigan executive director Mike Mitchell said this disaster will take a monumental recovery effort and they will be there for months. That gives them time to train new volunteers.
Some west Michigan volunteers are cooling their heels in Louisiana because rescue efforts are the priority right now and there is no safe way to get them into the impacted area.
Right now, the priorty is rescue and shelter operations. Red Cross emergency response vehicles will be deployed after the flood waters recede and recovery efforts begin.
Mitchell is scheduled to leave for Texas on Wednesday to help with relief administration efforts.
