The Kern County & Eastern Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for more volunteers, particularly bilingual volunteers, in eastern Kern County to help them prepare and respond to future wildfires in the area.
Kern County & Eastern Sierra Chapter Executive Director Hector Vazquez, himself a Bear Valley resident, said his organization, and he specifically, is reaching out to anyone in eastern Kern County who is willing to help their fellow residents.
"This community is very special to me," Vazquez said.
He said Tehachapi and the surrounding area is at high risk for fires and the danger is only getting worse, so the Red Cross is looking to develop a stronger volunteer base this year in areas like this to help keep as many people safe as possible.
"Unfortunately, it is not a matter of if a disaster happens nowadays," he said, "It's a matter of when."
Indeed, last year Kern County saw the Borel Fire, which burned more than 59,000 acres, making it the second largest wildfire of the season and causing thousands to have to evacuate, including many who evacuated to Tehachapi.
"We were very thankful for the amount of volunteers we had," Vazquez said of the local volunteer response in greater Tehachapi.
However, he said, the organization is still in serious need of more people this year, particularly those who can speak multiple languages.
"Our most critical need is Spanish-speaking volunteers in the eastern Kern area," he said.
However, Vazquez said, Red Cross needs volunteers of all kinds, and they'll never turn anyone away; the only real requirement is a willingness to help.
He said Red Cross provides all the necessary classes and training to volunteers, whether that's for managing or working at a fire shelter, becoming a preparedness instructor or filling various niches as a general volunteer.
He said Red Cross has the infrastructure in place to provide instruction even to people with limited spare time, so they really can take just about anyone who's willing to help.
Vazquez said when Red Cross talks to potential volunteers, their interviewer will evaluate their existing skillset to see if there are specific areas they may serve well in, but the organization tries to make sure everyone finds a place where they feel they are making a difference.
"We want them to engage in a way where they feel that they are making a change, they're making progress in their community," he said.
Vazquez said one local service volunteers can provide is distributing free smoke detectors to local homes.
He said volunteers can help fellow residents install the detectors, provide information on how to use them, and create a preparedness plan for the home in case of a fire.
He said his organization is also trying to make sure everyone is up to date on the various technological resources which can help people stay informed about fires and fire risk, whether through local or state government, or through Red Cross itself.
He said the best way to get in touch as a potential volunteer is to go to redcross.org, apply and wait for an interviewer to get back to them.