CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Cots, blankets and pillows; the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross set up a shelter inside Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church in Upper Allen Township.
There's no emergency, but volunteers came to Cumberland County for training, preparing to respond to disasters.
"We bring the calm. We have clients who have had their lives basically shredded," said Dean Leis, shelter lead for the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross. "They're in a state of chaos, they are maximally stressed out."
The American Red Cross provides medical assistance, food and a safe place to sleep.
The simulated shelter gives volunteers a chance to brush up on their skills in a lower stress environment.
"Being able to practice what we would do as a Red Cross team is vitally important for a variety of reasons," said Laura Burke, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The team is ready to go anywhere at a moment's notice, loading up vehicles with supplies and personnel.
"They are all part of our disaster fleet and they will go to wherever the need is," Burke said.
Volunteers review Red Cross procedures and protocols through a series of seminars.
The non-profit said there's always more work to go around.
"The Red Cross needs you," Leis said. "It's a wonderful opportunity to help another human being and the payback is huge."
The Central Pennsylvania chapter is looking for more community members who may have a building to use as a shelter in the future.
Visit the American Red Cross webpage for more information.