The Iowa Region of the American Red Cross will conduct disaster exercises this week during a statewide gathering in Des Moines. Starting on Tuesday, disaster volunteers from across the state will gather in Des Moines to practice their roles should a large disaster occur. This includes setting up an emergency shelter and feeding large numbers of people from Red Cross emergency response vehicles. A Red Cross North Central Division team developed the disaster scenario, which will not be revealed until Tuesday afternoon. The Red Cross has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America and will station the disaster response headquarters at its facility on Scout Trail. Volunteers will begin setting up the emergency shelter at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ankeny late Tuesday afternoon and begin registering volunteers posing as “disaster clients” early Tuesday evening.  Local Red Cross staff members and volunteers will also use Facebook and Twitter to practice getting and giving emergency information during a disaster. “Spring is the beginning of Iowa’s severe weather season,” said Leslie Schaffer, Red Cross regional executive. “Without question, this drill will help the Red Cross be better prepared for future disasters.”