While many people want to help during hurricane or other disaster relief efforts, having the right training is essential to an effective response.  Ready When the Time Comes, a program from the American Red Cross and facilities maintenance supplier Grainger, ensures that volunteers are trained and ready to assist before a disaster strikes in South Florida.

On Saturday, June 5, the local Red Cross will officially launch its Ready When the Time Comes program with employees from national founding sponsor Grainger and local lead sponsor Credit Suisse participating in a full-scale shelter simulation. The event, which coincides with the first week of the 2010 hurricane season, will also highlight the importance of preparedness throughout the South Florida community.

“June is the beginning of hurricane season and while South Florida was spared a direct hit during the past few years, some residents have been lulled into a false sense of security. Now is the time to prepare, long before any storm threatens our community,” said Sam Tidwell, CEO of the American Red Cross South Florida Region. “The American Red Cross is ready around the clock to provide a safe place for our neighbors. And in times of great need, we count on partners like our Ready When the Time Comes volunteers to help us provide vital relief services.”

Ready When the Time Comes allows the Red Cross to recruit and train volunteers from local companies and organizations so they can be mobilized quickly. Program volunteers receive specialized training in crucial disaster response, such as shelter operations, large-scale feeding efforts, and damage assessment. In the event of a local large-scale disaster, the Red Cross can count on Ready When the Time Comes corporate partners to support their disaster response efforts.

"One of the greatest resources a business can contribute to disaster relief is its employee's time and dedication," said D.G. Macpherson, Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Grainger. "Grainger has been part of the South Florida community for almost 70 years and the Ready When the Time Comes program means our employees will be prepared to lend a hand during hurricane season or whenever it's needed most."

Ready When the Time Comes exemplifies how businesses across the nation are getting involved to ensure their communities are prepared to respond when disaster strikes. More than 450 companies and organizations in 40 cities have joined Ready When the Time Comes, training more than 10,000 employee volunteers in disaster relief.

As national founding sponsor of Ready When the Time Comes, Grainger is committed to helping the American Red Cross meet its volunteer capacity needs. On average the program has increased the local American Red Cross capacity to respond by almost 40 percent. In 2010, Grainger is continuing its sponsorship of Ready When the Time Comes with an extension of the program into 10 additional markets to meet the American Red Cross need for additional capacity in disaster prone cities.