MINEOLA, N.Y., May 22, 2008 - Volunteers and staff of the American Red Cross in Nassau County will be put to the test when the nonprofit holds a large-scale hurricane drill, Saturday, May 31.

“Over the past two years, we have gone to great lengths to better prepare Long Island for a major storm by identifying shelters and staging supplies,” said Frank Cassano, chief executive officer of the Nassau Red Cross. “Yet the true measure of our success will be the ability of our volunteers to effectively open and run our shelters.”

During the drill, shelters will be opened at Locust Valley High School, Locust Valley, and McKenna Elementary, Massapequa Park. The Red Cross will open an emergency operations center at its Mineola headquarters to oversee the exercise.

Volunteers can expect to face a number of challenges throughout the event.

“Obviously, no matter how detailed your response plan is, major storms bring a level of uncertainty with them,” said Cassano. “We plan on creating many obstacles for the volunteers to overcome, which we hope will make them better able to react during an actual disaster.”

A disaster that is long overdue, according to the National Hurricane Center. On average, Long Island historically receives a direct hit from a hurricane once every 17-18 years. The last major coastal storm to pound the Island was Hurricane Gloria in 1985.

The Nassau Red Cross is inviting members of the public to “seek shelter” and act as evacuees at both locations, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Red Cross is only able to perform its services thanks to the generosity of individuals who donate their time or money to the nonprofit.

For more information about the American Red Cross in Nassau County and its efforts to better prepare Long Island this hurricane season, log on to www.nassauredcross.org or call (516) 747-3500.

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The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.