Dayton, Cincinnati Red Cross regions join forces

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — The American Red Cross is combining some operations in southwest Ohio, a move that officials say will mean layoffs.

The disaster relief organization says its Cincinnati and Dayton regions will share some functions, though officials are stopping short of calling it a merger. The Dayton chapter’s website says it will continue to have its own board, local volunteers and services.

Southwest Ohio will be left with 100 Red Cross employees, down from more than 110 full-time and 50 part-time workers, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer and the Dayton Daily News.

The newspapers report that the local restructuring is part of national Red Cross consolidation aimed at cutting costs in the face of more frequent and expensive disasters.