Volunteers will be called on to play a much larger role in disaster relief in southeast Iowa.
The Lee County Chapter of the American Red Cross will become part of the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area early next month.
Regional Chapter Executive Betsy Pratt says Lee County residents will not notice a change in services or response.
“Disaster clients will still get service when they have a disaster,” says Pratt. “Military families will still be able to call and pass along their emergency messages and people will still be able to get CPR training.”
Pratt says the Lee County office will remain open after the consolidation, but it will be staffed by volunteers.
The current full-time employee, who staffs the office, will be let go November 2.
Pratt says the consolidation will give Lee County more access to supplies and services.
The Quad Cities Chapter serves 28 counties in Illinois and Iowa through 12 offices.
