Volunteers get training to assist storm victims

Tracy Longlew is one of many area residents getting training from the American Red Cross of the Greater Chattanooga Area that will allow her to volunteer in storm-damaged regions of Chattanooga.

photo Tracy Longlew prepares to work with the American Red Cross of the Greater Chattanooga Area to help give relief to storm victims.

"I went to school for international aid and social sciences," Longlew said. "I'm pumped and ready to get started. This is what I would do 365 days a year if I could."

Longlew currently works as a credit analyst for U.S. Express in East Brainerd and hopes to volunteer in the evenings after work or on the weekends. During an extensive training session, Longlew learned how to become a client caseworker for Red Cross. She will journey into storm-ravaged areas with fellow volunteers to assess the damage of residents' homes and the needs of the families living in them.

"The perfect volunteer is somebody who has altruistic reasoning and wants to do it because they want to help," said Emily Fish, individual client services coordinator for Red Cross. "People who volunteer usually get stuck; I think more than anything they learn that they like volunteering more and more."

Longlew's home was undamaged in the storm. However, she has a friend in Trenton, Ga., who lost a roof when it was ripped off the house by a tornado while the family was hiding in the stairwell. The family was unharmed, but Longlew wants to help others who have experienced similar or worse devastation.

"I just know in my heart volunteering is what I am supposed to be doing," Longlew said. "I've taken first aid and responder classes."

The Red Cross is orienting volunteers to run shelters, work as client caseworkers as well as to man mobile feeding units.

Fish encourages those interested in volunteering to visit www.chattanoogaredcross.org to download an application and call the chapter office to join the next orientation. Donations are always appreciated and can be made on the Red Cross website as well. All donations made directly to the Chattanooga Area Red Cross remain in the local community, helping residents in and around Chattanooga.

She said the Red Cross needs volunteers not just during disasters of this scale, but every day for disaster education programs in schools as well as with helping families recover from house fires.

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