Highlights From Our 2013 Multi-State Disaster Drill

by Amy Yen, Digital Communications Manager, American Red Cross
Our big multi-state disaster drill last weekend was a big success! More than 700 Red Cross volunteers in more than 40 chapters across Texas and Oklahoma participated in the exercise, designed to test volunteers on their ability to respond to a simulated tornado outbreak. It's also National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, so the readiness exercise was especially appropriate.

Volunteers were not only conducted disaster assessment of property damage, but also encountered residents who were panicked, angry or even hurt and bleeding. For example, one scenario involved a man who had cut himself severely while moving debris (see the video above). Volunteers performed first aid on the scene and called for an ambulance. Don't worry--the residents were all actors, helping with our simulation. 

Our amazing volunteer photographers from all over the two states sent in images from the drill. Check them out here:

Thanks again to all of our wonderful volunteers and staffers who helped make our drill such a big success by getting us more prepared for when a real disaster strikes!