The American Red Cross Ripley County chapter has an office in Versailles. “Ripley County has about 400 beds and blankets,” the chapter president reports.
Franklin, Rush and Fayette counties all act as one Red Cross unit and report to the Hoosier Heartland Chapter in Muncie. “Franklin County has a nice big emergency response vehicle” based in Brookville.
When a flood or other disaster strikes locally, “we help each other out.”
While the groups have equipment and supplies, “we’re very short on help,” with just six to 10 volunteers in each county, he notes.
The Ripley County chapter meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Versailles office. The Franklin County unit meets monthly on the second Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the old Brookville firehouse. Persons willing to help out should call Israel at 934-4867.
