American Red Cross looking to open Carson City location

Citing the need to be a presence in the Carson City community, the American Red Cross is looking for space to open an office in Carson City.

"We need to have more things being done in Carson City and Douglas County," said Caroline Punches, executive director of the American Red Cross Sierra Nevada Chapter in Reno.

"In respect of the Waterfall fire, we need to have more of our programs in Carson City. Carson City and Douglas County are fast-growing areas. They're growing by leaps and bounds."

Eventually, Punches said the office will seek space with other nonprofits such as RSVP, when that organization relocates to its own building in east Carson City when the Master Plan is completed.

"Until it is completed, we will have a store front."

Punches said she wants the office open within the next six months. It will be a place where people can register for classes such as CPR, first aid and babysitting training, in addition to disaster response volunteer teams. She's looking for an area of 300-400 square feet.

"I'm really amazed at the cost of commercial real estate space," she added. "It's a lot higher than I thought it would be.

"But what this means to the community is having people there now, who are trained. So for larger disasters, there would be more people to open shelters and that type of thing. It would be more efficient and effective. Plus, there are people there who want training and don't want to drive to Reno. It's more convenient for the public."

Punches said it also means more assets of the American Red Cross will be located here.

"There are times when Highway 395 closes down. In case of emergency, vehicles and supplies need to be closer to the action."

Punches said similar offices are located in Winnemucca and Elko, which are operated with a service center manager and support person. The Carson City office would be operated in the same manner.

She also said Incline Village is looking to open an office.

"We've had numerous requests for training and classes from each area," Punches said. "We are responding to the community need."

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.