NATCHEZ — It’s evident that the Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross stays busy.

At the organization’s annual meeting Thursday evening, a slideshow served as concrete evidence of just that.

Pictures flashed across the projector screen in the chapter house, showing fires and storm damage in Adams County, damage form tornados that ripped through Amite County, flood damage in Fort Adams and Wilkinson County and more — all of which the chapter responded to.

Photos showed the damage at the Relax Inn from the fire there earlier this year. The fire was one of the biggest incidents the Red Cross responded to this year, and they had to open a 24-hour shelter at Parkway Baptist Church.

“Those pictures represent a lot of trips, a lot of miles, a lot of service,” said Judge Jim Blough, chairman of the board of directors.

The flood also kept the Red Cross busy as they swept across the five counties it covers helping in whatever way possible.

“A lot of big things happened,” Chapter Manager Angie Brown said.

They spent a total of $33,256 in disaster services responding to 30 cases of fire in Adams County, seven in Amite County, one in Franklin County, 13 in Jefferson County and 17 in Wilkinson County.

They taught 60 training classes, educating 400 people.

Also, they had their Disaster Preparedness Day which Brown said was great.

“Disaster Preparedness Day was a huge success this year,” she said.

The success of the event has grown exponentially over the years and she expects next year’s to be even better.

Another major accomplishment of the year was getting a emergency response vehicle.

“We’re really proud of that thing,” Brown said.

Similar in build to an ambulance, the vehicle will be stocked and ready at a moment’s notice to take off to any of the counties the organization services.

Brown said she hopes having the vehicle will increase interest in the organization and will bring in more volunteers.

In other business, certificates of appreciation were given to donors, volunteers and the members present of the 12-member board of directors.

The Natchez Firefighters Association gave the chapter a check for $3,000 from their 11th annual Firefighters’ Ball.