A group of men and women from the Freeborn County chapter of the American Red Cross volunteered their time Thursday evening at Our Father’s House, where they conducted a drill to validate efforts to equip a trailer with supplies to be used in case of a disaster area.

The goal was to simulate opening a shelter including things like inspecting the facility, setting up registration, assembling cots, blankets and other materials, and arranging security. Although, they do other drills with several other organizations, it was the first time they did this particular simulation.

Each drill is necessary and used as a guide to finding out what is needed and what isn’t needed for a real disaster situation.

“We have to test the equipment beforehand so we aren’t learning it during an actual disaster,” said Steve Bonine, the disaster director of the Freeborn County chapter. “We want to make sure we don’t forget anything stupid like a can opener or something.”

A new, white, medium-sized trailer with the American Red Cross logo stamped on the side was filled with various survival items. This was all possible because the Walmart Foundation’s initiative to support disaster response and capacity-building projects nationwide. The Freeborn County chapter is one of two Red Cross chapters in Minnesota and 128 chapters nationwide awarded with the funding.

Also, with the extra funds provided by the Walmart Foundation, the chapter was able to purchase about 60 new cots, varying in three different sizes: regular, jumbo and special needs. Most of the equipment found in the new trailer is new, too.

The simulation began with a group of volunteers scoping out the different rooms of the church and figuring out what was going to go where. Then volunteers unloaded the trailer full of equipment and organized it into different piles. Following, they took the cots out of their boxes and arranged them around the sanctuary, where people would sleep if they went to Our Father’s House church during a disaster. According to Imogene Opdahl, executive director of the Freeborn County Red Cross, it is important to make sure new volunteers are familiar with the set-up and are comfortable preparing for a disaster shelter.

In the Freeborn County chapter there are 65 volunteers, roughly 20 participated in the simulation. In attendance was Gordon Lewis, who has been involved in the American Red Cross for more than five years. He has traveled to several states in the last few years to aid in disaster shelters including the ones from Hurricane Katrina, Fargo flooding, and the Arkansas ice storms and tornadoes. According to Lewis, the best part is helping people in need and seeing appreciation on their faces.

The simulation continued with updating shelter rules and loading the trailer. Although, small things such as food weren’t prepared and served, the key part to the entire simulation was accomplished: practice.

“We accomplished what we wanted, we set up the new cots, we know how much space we need and how much time everything takes,” said Opdahl. “It is nice to know where to set everything up at, it will definitely keep us on our toes.”

In Albert Lea there are multiple disaster shelters — Freeborn County has three shelter teams — but the Red Cross is always looking for new volunteers. In order to apply to be a volunteer, stop at the American Red Cross building at the west end of Fountain Street in Albert Lea to pick up a form. There is also a background check and training classes. Imogene Opdahl can be reached at (507) 373-4544.

“We help out wherever we can, whenever we can,” said Opdahl.