Volunteer for a Disaster in Killingworth

Area residents are needed to participate in an overnight American Red Cross preparedness exercise at Killingworth Elementary School in Killingworth on June 3. Participants will be part of a statewide test by the American Red Cross Connecticut Region of shelters across the state.

The goal of the exercise is to make sure the Red Cross shelter operations plans and teams are ready in the event of an emergency, said Susan Parker, American Red Cross Connecticut Region Senior Director of Emergency Services. “We will check our plans, our communications and our sheltering capabilities to make sure that we are ready to partner with local communities to keep Connecticut residents safe,” Parker said. 

The exercise is especially timely, given the recent disaster responses the Red Cross is making in areas across the nation affected by severe weather this spring. Since late April, more than 7,000 Red Cross workers have been operating shelters and providing other relief services to people in 18 states across the nation affected by storms, flooding and wildfires. 

Volunteers needed for the exercise would report to the “evacuation shelter” at 6:00 p.m. on June 3 and stay overnight. The “shelter” will close at 8:00 a.m. on June 4. Volunteers for the exercise must register in advance to participate. To register, email Susan Parker at ctexercise2@ctredcross.org or call her at (860) 250-5555.

"We need people to sleep in the shelter on cots, just as they would if this were a true emergency,” Parker said. 

Participants will receive dinner and snacks Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning. “The Red Cross drill includes testing our ability to prepare and serve meals to a large number of shelter residents,” Parker said.

Families are encouraged to attend, Parker said, but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers must bring their own blankets, pillows and toiletries although Parker said in a true emergency these things would be provided.

“This is an important exercise for the Red Cross. We hope people take an opportunity to do something a little different for one weekend and help us to be a better prepared community,” Parker said.