A view of some of the 700 evacuees in the gymnasium in shelter at River Ridge Middle/High School in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in New Port Richey, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

It has been nearly 20 years since the American Red Cross has needed to hold pop-up training sessions for volunteers, but Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley, said that was the last time the organization faced a disaster scenario like the one they anticipate later this week.

As of Wednesday night, Hurricane Milton was getting ready to crash into the Gulf Coast of Florida with 120-miles-per-hour maximum winds, creating life-threatening storm surges, winds and flooding.

“Let me give you a number that’s unreal to me,” Kesselring said. “In Florida (Tuesday) night, we sheltered in about 160 Red Cross shelters over 31,000 individuals. That’s big, even with my history with the organization.”

Milton’s destruction could send even more victims to shelters, so Kesselring said the Red Cross needs as many volunteers on the ground in Florida as possible. Because of that, the organization will hold volunteer training sessions at its Wheeling office at 193 29th St. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at its Wintersville office at 143 Canton Road from 4-6 p.m. This hasn’t been necessary, Kesselring said, since Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma pummeled the United States.

Red Cross volunteers can help in multiple ways. They can head to the disaster areas, but must be available for a two-week deployment. They can also serve as a backup volunteer locally so a more veteran volunteer can travel to the disaster area.

Those who attend Friday’s training sessions will learn how to assist at Red Cross disaster shelters. Because of the anticipated widespread damage of Milton, the Red Cross has set up multiple shelters, including mega-shelters that can house thousands.

Those who deploy to disaster areas must have a valid driver’s license and a fundamental knowledge of electronics is preferred.

“We love medical professionals with active licensure, because we’re not to have a shelter without an actively licensed medical professional associated with that shelter,” Kesselring said. “And with mega-shelters, we need more than one.”

People with certified therapy animals are also appreciated, as they do well in helping comfort victims. Background checks on all volunteers will be conducted.

Those unable to attend a training can register at www.redcross.org/carvolunteer. Anyone with questions can call 304-488-5279.

Kesselring said those who can’t volunteer can also help the Red Cross by donating blood. The disasters that have hit the southern United States in recent weeks have also eliminated dozens of blood drive dates that help stock the Red Cross’ reserves.

“For those blood drives we already have scheduled, please make sure you’re scheduling your appointment,” Kesselring said. “I don’t want to see any appointment left open on these blood drives right now.”

And if you can’t donate blood, she added, the organization can use monetary donations.

“This will be an extremely expensive venture,” Kesselring said.