The American Red Cross plans to downsize its Alabama operations from four regions to one.

According to Billy Baxter, chief executive officer of the state region, as a result of the downsizing the organization will be forced to make staff reductions.

Baxter says he hopes to have the decisions made on where the cuts will come from within six weeks.

Baxter says there will be a reduction of staff in the field. He says the decision to make Alabama one region was made about a month ago. He says even some direct services, such as response to large disasters, will be centralized at a regional office.

The Red Cross has done similar reorganizations in neighboring states.