Red Cross training local residents to deploy quickly for Irma relief

As Hurricane Irma churns toward Florida, local residents are signing up to volunteer with the Red Cross.

The organization held two training sessions, in Pittsburgh and Greensburg, on Saturday to make sure those volunteers can be deployed as soon as possible.

Dana Bauer of the Red Cross says they’ll be ready.

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"We're training interested volunteers all across the Western Pennsylvania region and today we're doing it in Greensburg and Pittsburgh as well,” she said.

With Irma approaching and its effect uncertain, Dan Tobin of the Red Cross says the idea is to be prepared.

"They learned the ins and outs of a shelter from A to Z,” he said. “They learned how to set one up, how to operate one, and while it's up everything from feeding to the sleeping arrangements and rules that have to be followed."

When the call comes, these volunteers can be deployed immediately.

"We had a gentleman go through a training on Thursday night and he was deployed (Friday),” Tobin said. “He's down there on one of the advanced crews."

Cox Media Group