The Malta Red Cross - First Malta Branch has made a call for volunteers to join its disaster response team, which would jump into action if a disaster struck the island and is also on hand during mass events.

The team will be trained to assist the Civil Protection Department and the health authorities in emergency situations and to man first aid posts during activities that draw large amounts of people.

While a disaster response team might bring to mind major natural disatsers like earthquakes or a tsunami, branch secretary Paul Portelli said that the team would also be available to help out in smaller incidents.

He said the Red Cross has, over the years, offered its assistance during events such as concerts, mass meetings and the festivities related to the ordination of Archbishop Paul Cremona.

The main role of the First Malta Branch, set up just 16 months ago, is to provide the service of advanced first aiders using fully equipped ambulances.

The new volunteers will be given all the required training, including fire fighting and basic and advanced first aid through an emergency response foundation course. Part of their instruction will be in the procedures followed by the Civil Protection Department, so that they would be of assistance if need be.

Asked whether the call for volunteers had been made because of an increase in workload, Mr Portelli said the amount of work has in fact increased.

He did not exclude that the volunteers would be sent abroad on missions organised by the Red Cross to disaster zones in other countries, although no plans had yet been made.

The first session of the course will be held at Boffa Hospital, Floriana, on January 26 at 2 p.m., with other sessions held in a number of localities.

The €50 (Lm21.46) course fee is refundable to all those who give 40 hours of voluntary service to the branch this year.

More information is available by sending an e-mail to mrc1administration@gmail.com.