The Red Cross has been getting ready for Sandy for days by preparing food and shelter. Our Brooke Selby was at the Red Cross in Albany to see their volunteers in action.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- As the Capitol Region continues to get ready for Sandy, safety, food, and shelter are on the minds of many at the Red Cross.

Red Cross volunteer Gene Ouderkirk said the Red Cross brings in "water, cots, comfort kits, clean-up kits, all the supplies you would use in a Red Cross shelter or to help clean up your home after a flood."

With the state's emergency action plan deployed, the Red Cross continues to get supplies together for during and after the storm.

Ouderkirk said, “Right now what we are doing is supplying approximately 20 shelters all up and down the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys just in case. We have them located
where our experience from Irene told us we could have flooding."

An army of volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol are taking their marching orders from the Red Cross.

Cadet Maj. A. Whitney got involved with the Red Cross because, "I've been training to do emergency services and diaster relief for the past three and a half years, and this is finally a chance to use what I have. Now that I'm a freshman in college, I have a little more time on my hands and I can come here. It's a good idea, and I like that I can help people.”

The Red Cross continues to focus their efforts on Sandy and said local shelters are now open and available to the public if necessary.