As hurricane season looms and disaster risks remain ever-present, the American Red Cross and Georgetown County Emergency Services are partnering to prepare the community through an important initiative: local shelter volunteer training. The effort culminates in a one-day boot camp on May 10 at the county’s Emergency Operations Center, located at 2222-C Highmarket St.

The Red Cross plays a vital role in the county’s disaster response operations, particularly when it comes to managing emergency shelters during fires, hurricanes, and other crises.

"They're a crucial partner," said Brandon Ellis, Georgetown County's Director of Emergency Services. “When an event happens, they help us open and manage shelters, ensuring residents have a safe place to go.”

However, a significant hurdle remains—volunteer recruitment.

“Ninety to 96 percent of our workers are volunteers,” said Irene Branyard, the Red Cross’ Regional Program Lead for Training in South Carolina. “We lost a lot of that base after COVID, and we’re working hard to rebuild it.”

Recognizing that lengthy commitments are no longer feasible for many, the Red Cross has adapted. Volunteers are now asked to commit to just three 12-hour shifts, either consecutive or non-consecutive, and within their local county or a 50-mile radius.

“We’re hoping this makes it easier for more people to say yes,” Branyard said. “Whether you have a part-time job, family obligations, or just a few spare days, there’s a role for you.”

The shelter training boot camp, scheduled for May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will provide attendees with the basic tools needed to assist in a shelter during a disaster. It also includes hands-only CPR training—something that could save a life in or outside of a shelter environment.

“The more people we can equip with CPR skills, the better chance we have at making our community safer every day,” Ellis said.

Participants will leave the training ready to serve—and more confident in their ability to respond in a crisis. Branyard emphasized that training doesn’t stop there. “We train, train, train. That’s how we ensure volunteers know what to do, where to go, and how to help—before disaster strikes.”

Registration for the May 10 training is available at https://bit.ly/gtownshelter.

In an era of increasingly frequent emergencies, every trained volunteer becomes a vital part of Georgetown County’s resilience.

“We can’t do this alone,” said Branyard. “Our community depends on each other—and right now, we need your help.”