Steve Harding, Reinaldo Toro and Amy Wilson, members of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, train for disaster response with local American Red Cross staff on Saturday.

BUTLER TWP — Members of a Butler volunteer group came together with the American Red Cross on Saturday, training to help provide needed emergency response in the county.

The Pennsylvania Volunteers sponsored the event at American Legion Post 778, which included a hands-on training from the American Red Cross with a simulation of shelter response, setup and other requirements when emergency shelters from the Red Cross are utilized.

“This is one of the biggest areas of emergency management needed in our county,” Rich Wilson, vice president of the Pa. Volunteers, said.

Gail Wilhelm, training facilitator for the Red Cross, said the skills-based event allowed members of the group to become acquainted with how to set up a Red Cross shelter, if a disaster was to strike the area and the shelter was needed to house individuals affected.

There were several aspects of training, including setting up, food service and registration.

“The Red Cross has several community partners, especially with the shelter program, including churches and civic groups,” she said. “We have been partnering with the Pa. Volunteers since last fall, and it is great because we are always in need for people to volunteer in shelters.”

A full story appears in the Butler Eagle.