Red Cross confers with Plains on emergency services

PLAINS – Volunteers with the American Red Cross met with town officials in Plains to discuss emergency services and potential cooperation between the Red Cross and the town.

For this reason a couple of members of the American Red Cross of Montana visited with town officials at the Plains Town Hall during last week.

Lynda Bradshaw and Deborah Field, two volunteers who work for the Red Cross out of Libby, made the trip to Plains to discuss the benefits to the town and to all of Sanders County of possibly forming a Disaster Action Team.

“The Red Cross is a wonderful service and it is there for you,” Bradshaw said.

Disaster Action Teams are made up of volunteers who work through the Red Cross to respond to disasters on the local level, to ensure those affected by the incident receive the care and help they require.

DAT members respond to various disaster scenarios which could impact rural northwestern Montana and allow broader services offered by the Red Cross to reach communities as fast as possible.

These include house fires, floods and major weather events throughout the year.

DAT member volunteers help allocate Red Cross resources in an effort to meet the immediate needs of those individuals affected by a disaster scenario.

Bradshaw and Field explained the Libby branch of the organization has a trailer which was donated to the Red Cross and is filled with cots, medical equipment, blankets and even toys that can be brought to the seen of a disaster area.

The duo continued by saying the Red Cross yields to the county and local emergency services and seeks to assist in local efforts to ensure safety and recovery.

“We work with you, but we let you follow your own plan and don’t head out until you need us,” Bradshaw said.

According to Bradshaw, the DAT in Libby formed about a year ago and the group’s volunteers are looking to expand the services offered by the Red Cross program to other rural areas in the state.

The future colder months characteristic of the winter months in Sanders County, give credence to looking into how to effectively handle disasters at the local level.

Plains Mayor Greg Eitelberg said the town has been looking at preparing for possible emergencies throughout the year and not just during the winter season.

“The town is trying to prepare for emergencies in the future. We are trying to make sure we are there when the community needs us,” Eitelberg said.

Eitelberg added Plains has worked with Sanders County which has a five year plan in place to respond to possible disasters and the meeting with the Red Cross was part of an effort to ensure the town is able to effectively respond to a large-scale emergency event.

Those interested in more information on the disaster services offered by the American Red Cross 1-800-272-6668 or visit www.montanaredcross.org.