The Red Cross says it chose the location because it is close tothe city and near the growing corridor of service along Routes 290and 495. "The new facility is centrally located in the Northeastand will allow the National Red Cross to place critical supportresources and personnel closer to our field units," says PhillipHansen, northeast service area executive.

The facility will include a disaster operations center, anemergency communications room and a large kitchen area and showersfor disaster clients, emergency workers and volunteers. Inaddition, a Nurse Assistant Training and Health Services Wing willinclude multi-purpose classrooms and skills labs to accommodate the35,000 people trained annually.

The American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts will be joinedby the American National Red Cross Service Area headquarters. TheNational Service Area staff will provide guidance, coordinateddisaster response and capacity building services to 152 Red Crosschapters in eight Northeastern states.