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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Even though Irene is expected to miss South Carolina for the most part, our neighbors to the north don't appear to be so lucky.

And with the hurricane season just beginning to ramp up, the American Red Cross remains on standby to help those who are impacted by the disaster.  Midlands officials are also hosting a training session to prepare volunteers to head out and lend a hand.

Two disaster services overview courses will be held at the Columbia Region Red Cross headquarters on Bull Street Friday and another disaster assessment class will take place Saturday.

“As our busy hurricane season begins brewing, the need for Red Cross trained volunteers to respond to local and national disasters will continue to increase,” said Scott R. Salemme, regional chief executive officer, American Red Cross, Columbia Region.  “Because of ongoing disaster training, Red Cross volunteers are always fully prepared and ready to provide immediate basic needs and emergency assistance in times of disaster.”

The classes take place Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and later at 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  The Saturday course will be held 9 a.m. 1 p.m.  Attendees will learn the skills needed to serve in a pre or post-emergency Red Cross shelter and how to asses post-disaster damage.

If you'd like to take part in any of the classes you must pre-register in order to have enough training materials by calling (803) 540-1215.

You can find out more at www.redcross.org.