The American Red Cross is looking for new volunteers in Fairfield County to help respond to house fires. The Red Cross will host a one-day disaster volunteer training event to train new volunteers on how to assist families immediately after a house fire.

The training day will take place at the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center, 581 North Washington Avenue, Bridgeport on Saturday, November 12 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

“Disaster volunteers are needed every day across our region,” said Neil Brockway, Regional Disaster Officer, American Red CrossConnecticut & Rhode Island Region. “We usually see an increase in house fires during the winter months, so we are looking for additional compassionate, community-oriented individuals to join our volunteer Disaster Action Team.”

Disaster Action Team volunteers respond to local disasters, most commonly home fires, and are available to assist families with shelter, support and access to basic needs immediately following a home fire or other disaster.

Volunteers who attend the one-day training will be prepared to respond first disaster call with a team of seasoned disaster volunteers.

Nationally, the Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes. So far in 2016, Red Cross volunteers in Fairfield County have assisted over 150 families impacted by local disasters, like home and apartment fires.

Advanced registration for the one-day orientation session is required. All volunteers interested in signing up to become Disaster Action Team volunteers must be available for four shifts per month, have reliable personal transportation and a personal cell phone. For more information and to register, visit: https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/?nd=intake&entry_point_id=5200&unit_id=227