BUFFALO, N.Y. — As leaders of the American Red Cross respond to more frequent and more severe natural disasters, the organization is launching a national plan for response.

Red Cross Regional CEO Nick Bond is being trained to use the Emergency Response Vehicle so he can be of hands-on help in Florida soon.

“I don’t really care if my neighbor is two blocks away or all the way in Florida, Hawaii or Guam,” said Bond. “We as an organization are going to respond and help all of our neighbors.”

As of last year, the Western New York Red Cross region had about 1,800 volunteers.

The organization’s new national plan in response to worsening weather involves recruiting more volunteers with specialized training in disaster relief.

Bond said the organization can always use more help, especially now that they are deploying more frequently. He described the ideal volunteer as, “Someone that’s willing to give their time, their talent. But then also someone that has a high level of compassion, you know? We are dealing with people in their darkest moments.”