Red Cross Consolidates Md. Operation To Cut Costs

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The American Red Cross said Thursday it's cutting the equivalent of 17 full-time and one part-time staff positions across western, central and southern Maryland, mainly to reduce administrative costs.

The consolidation of administrative, accounting and information-technology operations at the group's Chesapeake Region headquarters in Baltimore won't affect disaster-recovery capabilities, spokesman Doug Lent said.

"Red Cross is cutting and streamlining operations to help offset a deficit that we've been functioning under for quite some time. Basically, what it means is that we are consolidating a number of smaller chapters into larger regions so we can cover a greater area and use combined resources to respond to disaster," Lent said.

He said offices in Cumberland and La Plata will close Friday. A part-time, paid employee will be hired to oversee volunteer operations in each of those areas.

More