Michael Dunkin
As South Carolina enters the heart of hurricane season, the American Red Cross has named a new leader to oversee disaster preparedness and emergency response efforts across the state, including in Spartanburg County and throughout the Upstate.
Michael Dunkin has been appointed regional disaster officer for the American Red Cross of South Carolina. He assumed the position this week and will oversee disaster operations, support volunteers and staff, and help strengthen the organization's ability to respond to emergencies ranging from home fires to severe weather and major natural disasters.
Dunkin brings more than three decades of leadership experience to the role. Most recently, he served as director of staff for the South Carolina Air National Guard, where he supervised more than 450 full-time employees and managed personnel actions for more than 1,300 service members.
During his military career, Dunkin also served as vice wing commander and squadron commander, gaining experience in operations, logistics, personnel management and humanitarian relief efforts, including disaster response work in Haiti following a devastating earthquake.
"Becoming part of the South Carolina Region of the American Red Cross is an extraordinary privilege," Dunkin said in a statement. "Our volunteers and disaster teams embody the very best of service and resilience, and their commitment drives our mission forward. I'm excited to champion their work and help ensure we continue delivering hope, relief and support to families and communities across the state every single day."
The leadership transition comes as South Carolina faces another active summer storm season. While coastal communities often experience the greatest impacts from tropical systems, Upstate residents are no strangers to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding and widespread power outages that can require emergency assistance.
In Spartanburg County and across the Upstate, Red Cross volunteers regularly respond to local disasters, particularly residential fires that displace families. Volunteers provide emergency shelter, meals, financial assistance, health services and emotional support to help residents begin the recovery process.
Statewide, the American Red Cross of South Carolina responded to more than 1,600 local disasters during the past year, assisting more than 5,000 people affected by emergencies. The organization also distributed more than $1 million in direct financial assistance to disaster survivors.
Those efforts were carried out by more than 3,300 trained Red Cross volunteers across South Carolina, many of whom serve their own communities when disasters strike.
The Red Cross continues to encourage residents to prepare emergency plans, build disaster supply kits and stay informed as hurricane season continues through Nov. 30.
