Volunteers with the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross received training Saturday for a mobile food unit. The unit can travel to different areas and parts of the state were a disaster has occurred. The local volunteers include, Rosemary Poston, Chris Kelley, Crystal Lute, Tom Frazier, R.L. Mohl and Linda Davis. Josh Sigmon and Doc Hoover from the Columbus Red Cross served as the day’s trainers.
According to Mary Arnzen, executive director of the local chapter, the Ohio chapters received a grant from the state to beef up disaster readiness for the state.
“The unit can be brought to any area in Ohio if there is a need, such as a large flood, so that’s why it’s important for our staff to be trained on how to use it,” she said.
Arnzen said the training is beneficial for members of the community who are interested in helping out when there’s an emergency locally, or in other areas of the United States, such as hurricanes.
“It’s good practice for us, especially when volunteers are deployed to hurricane areas,” she said.
Arnzen said the unit is available to the local area when it is needed for large-scale disasters.
“We didn’t have it yet when we had the forest fires, but that’s the type of thing we could use it for. It’s a fully functional kitchen inside a trailer,” she said.
About 15 people attended the Saturday morning training session and learned how to use the griddle. There’s also a stove, freezer and refrigerator. A large generator keeps the kitchen working.
“We had breakfast for everybody today,” said Arnzen, who also said the unit can only be used throughout the state of Ohio since it was purchased with state dollars.
DEBORAH DANIELS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 234.
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