What does it take to become an American Red Cross volunteer?



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Volunteers in Wisconsin are mobilized as millions were threatened by severe weather on Tuesday, April 29th -- for the third straight day. The death toll stands at 35 after storms caused devastation in several states Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, a special meeting was held to try to drum up more American Red Cross volunteers.

"We're helping the people where they need it first," Barbara Behling with the American Red Cross said.

With more severe weather expected Tuesday, the call for help is growing. Especially after tornadoes and other strong storms left paths of destruction across the Great Plains and the south on Sunday and Monday.

Volunteers in Wisconsin have said they're waiting for the call to help those affected.

"We have a person at home packing their suitcase right now," Behling said.

Behling says they got the request to help -- and will be sending a trained worker to Baxter Springs, Kansas to help with logistics and transportation.

That worker is a military veteran who has helped the Red Cross for about a year, and spent about six weeks in Colorado dealing with the state's recent severe flooding.

"Of course, before there's a disaster, we have to be trained," Behling said.

On Tuesday evening, a handful of interested potential Red Cross volunteers took part in a "Disaster Overview Course."

The class teaches interested individuals about the 34 different jobs the Red Cross can train them to do.

"We'll work with them to determine what their professional skills are, what their desires are and how they want to help other people," Behling said.

Red Cross volunteers help out in both national disasters and ones that occur within Milwaukee County.

The Red Cross says most volunteers are needed right here in Milwaukee -- to help out after things like house fires.

Red Cross volunteers have helped out at the scene of more than 160 fires so far this year.

"They can work in shelter, they can get help to the people, they can be a shoulder to lean on," Behling said.

CLICK HERE to learn more about becoming an American Red Cross volunteer.