DISASTER SERVICES CHARTER
Around the World.......
In 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to carry on a system of national and international relief and apply it to mitigate the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities. It was also created to devise and carry on measures for preventing these disasters. The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an obligation to the nation, to all disaster victims and to those who support the Red Cross mission with their donations.
Our Community......
The Disaster Services Department provides immediate help for emergency, disaster-caused needs.
When a disaster threatens or strikes, your American Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to address the basic human needs of your friends and neighbors in your community.
Contact: Paul Stewart, Community Disaster Specialist, paul.stewart@redcrossal.org
or Neal Hardin, neal.hardin@redcrossal.org
at (205) 758-3608, for information on:
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Services
- Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)
- Single Family Fire Assistance
SEE DISASTER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES LATER THIS PAGE
A special thank you to the Wal-Mart Foundation for donating essential disaster supplies and equipment to our chapter.
The West Alabama Chapter American Red Cross is generously supported by the Wal-Mart Foundation.
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WINTER WEATHER
*WINTER STORM -- Severe winter conditions, which can vary by the storm. These can include a mix of snow, wind, ice, poor visibility and cold temperatures.
*OUTLOOK -- Winter storm conditions are possible in the next two to five days. This is the time to tune to local media for updates and plan for expected conditions.
*ADVISORY -- Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. If you are cautious, these situations should not be life threatening.
*WATCH -- Winter storm conditions are likely within the next 36-48 hours. Prepare now.
*WARNING --Life-threatening severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours.
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DISASTER SERVICES TRAINING ONLINE COURSE
http://www.redcross.org/flash/course01_v01/
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DISASTER SERVICES TRAINING
ALL DISASTER COURSES REQUIRE PRE-REGISTRATION
Preregistration required. Please contact Monica Lea, 205-758-3608 or monica.lea@redcrossal.org for more information on schedule and to register. Disaster courses are free for Registered Disaster Volunteers. Pre-registration is important to ensure we have enough materials available for everyone who attends.
*NOTE: Classes will be held at Chapter House unless otherwise noted......When classes run through the lunch hour, or when two classes, are offered the same day and volunteers are enrolled in both classes, lunch will be provided....*For out-of-town classes, interested volunteers in Tuscaloosa may make arrangements to travel to the training site with the instructors.......Classes will be scheduled in surrounding county Service Centers on an as needed basis......Classes are sometimes cancelled due to lack of participation....
***Both parts must be taken to receive credit for the course.
DISASTER SERVICES TRAINING SCHEDULE SPRING 2010
The following Disaster Services training courses are available. These classes are free of charge. A well-trained volunteer team is more effective. We encourage you to consider taking one or more of these courses to help us better serve the citizens of West Alabama. All of these courses will be held in the Tuscaloosa office and all courses require pre-registration.
FULFILLING OUR MISSION, every Monday in March, 10am -- 12 noon
This class is required of all volunteers. This course covers the mission of the American Red Cross, the principles and values that support the mission, and the expected behaviors of Red Cross volunteers and employees as they conduct the mission. This class essentially functions as a disaster services introduction. This class may also be done as a self-study.
DISASTER ACTION TEAM ORIENTATION, Thursday, March 11, 6pm -- 8pm. This class provides information about how to deliver immediate emergency needs at the scene of a family disaster.
CLIENT CASEWORK***: PROVIDING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, Tuesday, March 16, 9am -- 4:30pm (lunch provided). This class provides information about the delivery of immediate emergency needs in a comprehensive course that covers not only local but national procedures as well. The completion of this course will will enrich your knowledge of how the American Red Cross assists clients affected by disasters. This course is a requirement for national deployment as a client casework associate.
DAT ORIENTATION, Monday, March 22, 6pm -- 8pm
MASS CARE, Thursday, March 25, 6pm -- 8pm
GOVERNMENT LIAISON/ EOC, Friday March 26, 9am -- 4pm
GOVERNMENT LIAISON/ EOC, Saturday, March 27, 9am -- 12pm
LOGISTICS, Monday, March 29, 6pm -- 8pm
APRIL
SHELTER OPERATIONS, Thursday, April 1, 6pm -- 8pm
FULFILLING OUR MISSION, Monday, April 5, 6pm -- 8pm
DAT ORIENTATION, Monday, April 5, 6pm -- 8pm
ERV: READY, SET, ROLL, Saturday, April 10, 9am
CLIENT CASEWORK***, PART 1, Monday April 12, 6pm -- 9pm
CLIENT CASEWORK***, PART 2, Thursday, April 15, 6pm -- 9pm
DAT ORIENTATION, Monday, April 19, 6pm -- 8pm
DISASTER ASSESSMENT, Monday, April 26, 6pm -- 8pm
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PREPARE FOR DISASTER BEFORE IT STRIKES
VISIT http://westbama.com
**SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION LISTED
AT END OF THIS PAGE**
*There are changes to the American Red Cross Policy Regarding Tornado Safety*
NOAA Weather Radios Save Lives!!
NOW AVAILABLE "waterBOB" EMERGENCY DRINKING WATER STORAGE SYSTEM: $34.95 which you can list on your taxes as a contribution to WACARC Disaster Relief Fund. ----The waterBOB is an excellent water containment system that turns any standard bathtub into an emergency water reserve. Easy to use. Siphon pump is included. WaterBOB protects emergency water from debris. To obtain your waterBOB, contact Disaster Services at 205-758-3608.
A critical step in your response to a disaster is to notify loved ones of your whereabouts. If you have time to make only one phone call before you evacuate, be sure to ask a friend or family member to register you as "safe and well" on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Website. This can then be checked by loved ones to let them know of your well-being.
Safe & Well website: https://disastersafe.redcross.org/
DISASTER SERVICES
Change a Life...Starting with Your Own
The Red Cross responds to the following disasters:
* Hurricanes and evacuations
* Floods
* Tornadoes
* House Fires
* Earthquakes
* Wildfires
* Man-made disasters
* Emergency communication for our service men and women in the Armed Forces
Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
* Sheltering
* Feeding
* Casework
* Disaster Action Team Members
* Office Volunteers
* Data Entry
* Armed Forces Caseworkers
* Mental Health Volunteers
* Health Services (nurses and medical professionals)
* Warehousing
* Public Affairs
* Fundraising, Special Events
HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR
In your community, homes are affected by fire or another type of disaster each day.
Your Red Cross responds to more than 600 single family fires in the region each year.
When the fire department or an affected family calls the Red Cross, Disaster Action Team Members respond immediately (usually to the scene of the disaster), and provide emergency assistance such as:
* Lodging
* Meals
* Clothing
* Personal Items
GET TRAINED TO BECOME A DISASTER ACTION TEAM MEMBER!
You never know where disaster will strike.
To get more information on the DAT program, contact your local Red Cross.
BECOME A SHELTER VOLUNTEER!
Help to operate a shelter for clients who have suffered a disaster such as a house fire, tornado or evacuated their homes during a hurricane.
*Easy and flexible: once you're trained, we only call you when a shelter opens.
*Quick training: take Fulfilling Our Mission and Shelter Operations courses, then you are ready for a shelter assignment.
*Meaningful: you will have a hands-on role with shelter residents/operations.
*Diverse: meet a diverse group of people: volunteers, shelter residents, and Red Cross staff.
For more information call 205-758-3608.
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For information on Emergency Preparedness for those you love--including your pets:
On Pets and Disaster:
On pandemic influenza preparedness:
www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/
For CDC information on specific hazards:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/masscasualties/
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SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
Are You Ready?
For access to a menu including links to information on Blackouts, Drought, Earthquakes, Fires, Floods & Flash Floods, Heat Waves, Hurricanes, Mudslides, Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, Tsunami, Volcanoes, Wildfires, and Winter Storm,.........visit www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem, select "Preparing and Getting Trained", then "Preparedness Fast Facts".
Stay informed........
******NOAA WEATHER RADIOS SAVE LIVES!!!!!!!
When a TORNADO WARNING is issued, go to the safe place you have chosen (small, central, uncluttered room--basement or hallway) to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. The specific change in policy pertains to what people should do if they are outdoors, or in a mobile (manufactured) home, or in a car when a tornado warning is issued. Now, if you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, tornado shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot get to a shelter, a recent study suggests doing the following:
*Get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt, and try to drive at right angles to the storm movement and out of the path of the tornado.
*If strong winds and flying debris occur while you are driving, pull over and park, keeping seat belts on and the engine running. Crouch down below the windows, covering your head with your hands and a blanket if possible.
If you are unable to get to a building or vehicle, as a last resort, lie in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
(The Weather Channel has also adopted this change.)
After the TORNADO passes watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area. Listen to the radio for information and instructions. Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage. Do not use candles at any time.