Eight Calif. Safe Corps members are working with the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles until June to help residents prepare for and respond to disasters: Nevver Arabian, Desiree Zamora, Jillian Jackson, Cara Smith, Chris Jaspe, Julia Lembrikova, Jennifer Lazo and Kaitlyn Loranger.

By Jennifer Lazo, Member, Calif. Safe Corps-AmeriCorps

Working with the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles since September 2009, eight Calif. Safe Corps members have trained more than 7,000 Southern California residents to prepare for and respond to disasters.

The Calif. Safe Corps program, which began in 2002, is a national AmeriCorps service program that focuses on the safety and preparedness of California residents.

Members commit to work with the Red Cross for 10 and a half months, providing preparedness education presentations, teaching CPR/First Aid, and conducting disaster training courses to Red Cross volunteers.

In addition, members work with Red Cross departments on a variety assignments, including client casework, volunteer orientations, mentoring youth volunteers, and preparing partner organizations to work with the Red Cross following large disasters.

Members also respond to Disaster Action Team (DAT) calls by assisting individuals whose homes are damaged or destroyed due to fires and other disasters. During the recent winter storms, the members staffed shelters and worked at the Incident Command Post in Panorama City.

When the program ends in mid-June, members are confident they will achieve their goal of educating more than 10,000 residents on how to be prepared in the event of an emergency.