The American Red Cross and Grainger recently launched the Ready When the Time Comes initiative ensuring that volunteers are trained and ready to assist before a disaster strikes in South Florida.

“With the very busy hurricane season that is forecast this year, it’s even more important that our corporate neighbors be ready to help our community,” said Sam Tidwell, CEO of the American Red Cross South Florida Region. “Ready When the Time Comes and our friends at Grainger are helping us do just that. With their employees ready and trained, the American Red Cross will be better equipped to handle any disaster.”

On June 5, employees from Grainger, the national funding sponsor of the Ready When the Time Comes program, along with about 100 additional volunteers participated in a full-scale shelter simulation.

In the simulation drill, the volunteers took charge of the Miami-Dade Emergency Operations Center in Doral where they practiced providing emergency shelter to disaster victims, by preparing sign in sheets, setting up cots, distributing bedding, as well as food preparation and delivery, and administration of physical/mental health services to the victims. After the simulation volunteers toured the Emergency Operations Center.

“The City of Doral is grateful for the work that the Red Cross undertakes in our community, especially in times of need such as following a devastating hurricane,” said City of Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez. “I also commend Grainger for participating in the Ready When the Time Comes volunteer program and for serving as an example for others to follow.”

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.

“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.”

Don’t procrastinate. Don’t wait for a disaster to strike to decide you want to volunteer. Click here to sign up today.