Red Cross Rolls Out New Vehicles to Better Assist Disaster Victims
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: January 28, 2013
BLOOMINGTON- When people see a Red Cross vehicle coming down the road, it typically means help is on the way.
It's a message its brand new prototypes are planning to deliver.
"Hopefully it will do the job, much better than the old one did," said volunteer Ron Guenther.
Guenther has been a Red Cross disaster services volunteer for more than 10 years.
He's taking a drive in what's known as an Emergency Response Vehicle, or "ERV."
Guenther admits it's a step up from its predecessor.
"We had a lot of trouble with the old one, with the maintenance up and going right."
ERVs are used to deliver meals and supplies to devastated communities.
Volunteers even drove them to the east coast to assist Super Storm Sandy victims.
"I'm excited about the new equipment. It'll make things so much easier for us."
Unlike the old vehicles, the new model is shaped like a van, so anyone with a valid driver's license can take it for a spin.
"It used to be a two day course to take the ERV training. It was intensive driving," said Emergency Services Manager Sondra Hayes.
But now this fuel efficient vehicle, complete with a back up camera is allowing more volunteers to get behind the wheel...
And serve the people who need them most.
"You feel the love of the people for being there and helping them," said volunteer J.D. McCoy. "You couldn't pay me enough to do that."
To these Red Cross drivers, lending a hand is always worth going the extra mile.
Two prototypes are traveling the country getting feedback from Red Cross volunteers.
The organization plans to replace its old vehicles with a final version of this model over the next 10 years.
It's a message its brand new prototypes are planning to deliver.
"Hopefully it will do the job, much better than the old one did," said volunteer Ron Guenther.
Guenther has been a Red Cross disaster services volunteer for more than 10 years.
He's taking a drive in what's known as an Emergency Response Vehicle, or "ERV."
Guenther admits it's a step up from its predecessor.
"We had a lot of trouble with the old one, with the maintenance up and going right."
ERVs are used to deliver meals and supplies to devastated communities.
Volunteers even drove them to the east coast to assist Super Storm Sandy victims.
"I'm excited about the new equipment. It'll make things so much easier for us."
Unlike the old vehicles, the new model is shaped like a van, so anyone with a valid driver's license can take it for a spin.
"It used to be a two day course to take the ERV training. It was intensive driving," said Emergency Services Manager Sondra Hayes.
But now this fuel efficient vehicle, complete with a back up camera is allowing more volunteers to get behind the wheel...
And serve the people who need them most.
"You feel the love of the people for being there and helping them," said volunteer J.D. McCoy. "You couldn't pay me enough to do that."
To these Red Cross drivers, lending a hand is always worth going the extra mile.
Two prototypes are traveling the country getting feedback from Red Cross volunteers.
The organization plans to replace its old vehicles with a final version of this model over the next 10 years.
