WIESBADEN, Germany - In military communities the American Red Cross is primarily known for informing military members in times of crisis.
But the agency's contributions go beyond relaying emergency messages.
"Service members mainly know us for our emergency communications program, but we offer a variety of services and programs to support the local community," said Jana Fullmer, Wiesbaden American Red Cross station manager, explaining that the list includes health and safety training sessions such as standard first aid and CPR, volunteer programs and occasional disaster relief.
The Red Cross has been actively serving the military since the 1800s, when its founder Clara Barton tended to fallen Soldiers during the Civil War, risking her life to deliver supplies and support on the battlefield.
Continuing in that spirit, the agency offers various types of support year round to bolster the partnership it shares with the U.S. military.
"We're available 24 hours a day," said Fullmer.
A free benefit accessible to military families is the Dental Assistant Program. If accepted through an application process, a military spouse or dependent at least 18 years old and possessing a high school or general equivalency diploma can become trained as a dental assistant. The apprentice works chairside with a dentist in the Wiesbaden Dental Clinic and completes 200 to 250 hours of practical training.
"If you took a similar course in the United States, you'd pay several thousand dollars," said Fullmer. "It's really a great opportunity."
Health and safety training classes are offered at least once monthly to the community. The varied list includes Standard First Aid, Adult and Child CPR with Automated External Defibrillator training, Infant CPR, Babysitter Training with Child and Infant CPR, and now Pet First Aid and CPR.
Fullmer said that people use these sessions to get training certifications required for their specialized career fields, recreation and precautionary reasons. "We have new parents come in. Recently two people were enrolled in the CPR course because they had to be CPR certified to rent a kayak from Outdoor Recreation."
Many may not know that the local branch of the international agency provides disaster relief. In certain situations the agency is organized to help families in unique periods of loss.
"For example if a family is a victim of a fire or flooding, we can perform a disaster assessment and grant them money to help them get through that initial crisis situation," said Fullmer.
Also available are numerous volunteer opportunities for members in the community.
"We have monthly volunteer orientations to get them active in the community," said Fullmer, who added that volunteers usually outnumber the paid staff, and throughout the year about 65 volunteers are active through Red Cross in the community. "We have volunteers in the health and dental clinics, those who help us with the blood drives, fundraisers and health and safety volunteers."
Fullmer stressed that the organization has a real need for volunteers to fill leadership positions to support the local Red Cross office. "The orientation is held every third Wednesday at 10 a.m. to get volunteers oriented to Red Cross."
Additionally, the Red Cross does not stop at delivering emergency messages; for instance the Red Cross steps in for Army Emergency Relief after normal duty hours to make loans in emergency situations.
"Lack of funds, no matter what time of day or night, should never be a reason for a service member not to get home to take care of an emergency situation." said Fullmer. "We'll do everything we can to help you get home."
Visit the office in Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Building 1023E, third floor or call mil 337-1760 or civ (0611) 705-1760 for more information about class offerings, blood drives and volunteer opportunities.
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