Cascades Region Volunteers Participate in Real-World Training Scenarios
Red Cross volunteers participating in a ‘Burn to Learn’ event with Portland area fire departments on June 9, 2019
Story by Chad Carter/Red Cross Cascades Region
Emergency managers are always training. It’s part of being prepared. In a field dedicated to being the first to provide assistance following a disaster, real-world training scenarios help establish critical understanding of the role each person and agency or organization plays when a disaster strikes.
On June 9, 2019, Red Cross volunteers supported fire crews from Forest Grove, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Cornelius and Gaston for a Burn to Learn event. This live burn allowed firefighters to train using a live home fire and for our volunteers it gave an important look at how the organizations work together to support families during these disasters.
Red Cross Cascades Region volunteers watch as a ‘Burn to Learn’ event gets underway on June 9, 2019
On June 9, 2019, Red Cross volunteers supported fire crews from Forest Grove, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Cornelius and Gaston for a Burn to Learn event. This live burn allowed firefighters to train using a live home fire and for our volunteers it gave an important look at how the organizations work together to support families during these disasters.
“The big benefit for our volunteers is we get the time to ask a lot of questions during a controlled environment,” said Kathleen Elliott, a long-time Red Cross volunteer.
Firefighters work to extinguish a controlled home fire during a ‘Burn to Learn’ event
To get a better understanding of the difficulty fire crews face, following the training session, the Red Cross volunteers were then given the chance to put on the fire gear and practice with a fire hose to experience first-hand the challenges of fighting a home fire. “We experienced how heavy the gear is, as well as the air tanks on our backs. Not to mention feeling the power of the fire hose while using it,” Elliott said.
In the Cascades Region, our volunteers respond to an average of two home fires a day and provide comfort, assistance and resources to those affected. Which is why our Home Fire Campaign and Sound the Alarm events – which install smoke alarms for free – are so critical to helping to save lives.
Joint agency disaster training scenario in Medford, OR on June 11, 2019. Image courtesy of Medford Mail Tribune.
Just a few days later, on June 11 in Medford, Red Cross volunteers participated in another disaster simulation, this one on a much larger scale.
Multiple agencies coordinated to simulate a response to a plane crash at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. According to the Medford Mail Tribune, more than 40 community volunteers became actors and played a variety of roles to provide a realistic environment for professional first-responders.
Red Cross volunteer assisting during a multi-agency disaster response training scenario in Medford, OR on June 11, 2019. Image courtesy of Medford Mail Tribune.
Cascades Region volunteers assisted in the drill, serving alongside others, including Mercy Flights, Jacksonville Fire Dept., Providence Medford Medical Center and more.
Cascades Region volunteers assisted in the drill, serving alongside others, including Mercy Flights, Jacksonville Fire Dept., Providence Medford Medical Center and more.
Partnering with these agencies and assisting with this level of training is invaluable to all involved and allows Red Cross volunteers to build and expand their training experience.
Throughout the Cascades Region, the Red Cross is supported by more than 3,000 passionate volunteers who are ready to assist 24 hours a day. We are proud to partner with our local and state agencies in trainings like these so Red Cross Cascades Region volunteers are always prepared to support those who need comfort, support and hope following a disaster.
