News02

Since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast, a wave of people flooded the Kalispell Red Cross office.

"We've just had this huge outpouring of people giving blood, donations and people wanting to help," said Cindy Burns, preparedness and response assistant with Red Cross of Montana's Kalispell Center.

According to Burns, the Red Cross needs plenty of help in all three areas.

"This could go on for weeks and weeks," she said. "This is an ongoing operation and the Red Cross is re-assessing its needs every day."

For those who have flocked in wanting to help disaster victims, the local office has scheduled on Thursday the first two of three training classes that volunteers must complete. People may register by calling 752-6433.

Scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., "Introduction to Disaster Services and Mass Care," a two-class orientation, explains how to handle people in the grips of a traumatic situation.

"You have to be able to deal with the emotions of people," Burns said.

She emphasizes that volunteering requires a three-week commitment from an individual to work under tough conditions.

"This is going to be a hardship detail," she said. "We want to make them aware of that."

After 9/11, Burns said quite a few people from the Flathead volunteered to help. Some came back traumatized by what they saw, heard and felt for the victims.

She said no one ever expects to deal with disaster in their lives, so it makes it difficult to prepare for the emotional states of those affected.

"These people have lost everything and they can't go anywhere," she said.

For those still serious about volunteering after the orientation classes, the local Red Cross will offer a three-hour "Family Services Training" on Sept. 8.

This class teaches the "nitty-gritty" of guiding disaster victims through filling out forms about their need for food, shelter and clothing. Once trained, a disaster worker may receive a call at any time to perform any number of jobs.

According to Burns, volunteers don't have to go, but if they do, they agree to serve three weeks away from their families and employment.

"It's usually the gray-haired people that go," Burns said. "They're wonderful."

She said the Red Cross places no age limits on volunteers but they must have no serious health issues. The Kalispell office had sent out volunteers as old as in their mid-70s.

"All you need is two arms, two hands, a heart and the ability to communicate," Burns said.

So far, 31 people from Montana have left to help hurricane victims in the Southeast. Red Cross of Montana has dispatched these people with an eye to keeping enough volunteers left to cover in-state disasters.

"We're not out of the hot seat yet on the fire season," Burns said.

For those who would rather donate blood or cash, the office has a need for both.

Burns encourages people to call or drop by the office at 17 First Ave. E. with donations. The staff accepts credit or debit cards or will issue a receipt for a check as a contribution.

People who want to donate blood may call 1-800-895-7258 to receive their choice of appointment dates.

"The Southeast is so traumatized, we'll have a severe need to replace that blood," she said.

Burns said she keeps office hours from 7:30 a.m. until the telephone slows down. After business hours, the Red Cross has an emergency number listed.

She said people trying to locate relatives or friends missing from the hurricane area shouldn't use the emergency number. Local Red Cross staffers will help in that area during regular business hours.

Since the hurricane hit, Burns said the office has received a surprisingly large number of calls from people trying to find family.

"You wouldn't think a disaster in New Orleans and Biloxi would affect the Flathead, but it does," she said.

Because of the thousands of residents dislocated, the Red Cross has given priority to locating missing people with medical or mental-health issues. Burns said local Red Cross staffers will help people sort out what to do about missing family.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.