The Hawaii Red Cross is recruiting disaster volunteers on the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai.

“A critical piece in preparing our local communities for disasters like Iselle before they occur is having trained volunteers on standby and ready to respond,” said Hawaii Red Cross CEO Coralie Chun Matayoshi. “We encourage new volunteers to join the Red Cross ohana and support our mission of helping those in need.”

The Hawaii Red Cross has about 1,500 volunteers statewide. Most recently, the agency had more than 200 workers assisting in response to Iselle. Of these, about 94 percent were volunteers, Matayoshi said.

If you’re interested in becoming a Red Cross disaster volunteer, the first step is to register online at redcross.org/hawaii. To register, click first on “Volunteer” and then on “Becoming a Volunteer.” Once applications are completed through the Volunteer Connection system, the Red Cross will contact interested individuals about signing up for basic disaster classes. All disaster training is provided free of charge.

In addition to disaster volunteers, the Red Cross is always looking for diverse volunteers of all ages and skill levels who can assist in the lifesaving work it does. Red Cross volunteers not only respond to house fires, but also teach lifesaving skills, staff first aid stations at community events, support our military members in the community, and much more. Interested volunteers can go to redcross.org/hawaii to learn more about the different opportunities.

The Red Cross is a nonprofit humanitarian organization which provides assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected by disasters. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it depends on public contributions to help others. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world. To send a contribution, mail your check to American Red Cross, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816 or make a secure online donation at redcross.org/hawaii; or call (808) 739-8109.