The Canadian Red Cross relies on volunteers in times of need.
In New Brunswick, they are hoping to bring on around 35 new volunteers for its emergency management program and another 15 for its friendly calls program.
Provincial Director for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Bill Lawlor says in a pandemic they had to change the way situations are handled.
“Essentially all of our support has been virtually, whereas prior to COVID-19, we would have been on the ground and on the scene of the situation,” Lawlor says.
He says they are constantly in recruitment mode, but it does take a certain type of person to do this work, “It can be stressful. You are dealing with families who have been impacted deeply by the event. Sometimes, you are dealing with loss as well as the property loss. It takes a certain skill set to be able to handle that. We help, with the training and navigating the process to help them determine if it is for them. By in large, for those who are interested, it is.”
Lawlor says their job as the Red Cross is work with local and province authorities and be prepared, “That is exactly what we are doing in this recruitment campaign.”
More details can be found on the Canadian Red Cross website.
