Disaster Response: April 2008 Archives

Every year in Tri-County Red Cross communities more than 150 families need our assistance after a residential fire.  These families stand on the sidewalk watching their homes and possessions go up in smoke, not knowing where they would sleep that night or how they would clothe their children.  What isn't destroyed by the fire itself is usually made unusable by the battle to arrest the flames. 

Whether it is the single family on Craig Place in North Plainfield who needed our assistance last week, or the 12 families who spent New Year's Eve outside in the cold instead of at a party, these families feel like they have nowhere to turn.

The parents worry about the basics of finding a place for their children to sleep that night, of caring for their families when all their clothing and food is destroyed.   Tasks that were simple the night before become daunting, the ability to focus and concentrate is practically impossible.  They are being pulled in different directions all at once - the emergency responders asking questions about the start of the fire, their kids crying about losing their favorite toy, neighbors inquiring to what they are going to do - it's overwhelming.

This is where Tri-County Red Cross volunteers step in; arriving during the disaster to offer the fundamental necessities at a time when looking ahead to tomorrow seems impossible.

Our volunteers provide the support and strength for these victims to begin to address the daunting task of life after a disaster.  From the moment they arrive at the disaster scene, they address the immediate needs of the victims - food, clothing and shelter.  The parents' relief shows as they are taken through the process.  They will have a place to stay; they will be able to provide food and clothing for their family and can now focus on the details of putting their life back together.

Volunteers are special people; they offer their time and support to neighbors in need. They come from different backgrounds, jobs, education levels, wealth, countries and age groups.  Our volunteers have different reasons for donating their time and focus on different areas of volunteer opportunities, but all receive their training free of cost from the Red Cross.

Regardless of the background, volunteering is a small investment that creates lasting results for anyone desiring to make a difference.  To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit our page on Volunteers or call Victor Webb at 908-756-6414.

May 4 - 10, 2008

The American Red Cross is working with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) along with 35 other organizations and large corporations in an alliance to focus increased attention on reducing workplace injury and illness through promotion of NAOSH week.

A special toolkit has been developed that any organization can use and adapt (see sections beginning on page 13).

Potential promotional activities include:

• Focusing on your chapter's workplace safety. Ensure employees and volunteers are trained to respond to emergencies and your worksites are hazard free.

• Locating your local chapter of ASSE. Contact one or more of the officers and ask about working with them to support NAOSH Week and, in the process, discuss other ways in which your chapter can work with ASSE to promote workplace safety. Involvement with your local chapter of ASSE (including attending meetings and exhibiting at their local or state level conferences) can be a good way to develop relationships that may lead to new customers.

• Encouraging your current workplace customers to take advantage of this special occupational safety week. Direct them to the online toolkit and to make statements to their employees about the importance of safety on the job.

• Contacting alliance organizations (see page 7 of the toolkit). If you have any of these employers or members of the listed associations in your chapter, contact them now about conducting Red Cross classes during that week as a part of their commitment. Also, ask their safety officer about other joint efforts- such as special lunch hour safety presentations, or promoting Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED classes to all interested employees - not just those who are on the emergency response team.

Four families in Elizabeth, Union and North Plainfield were the victims of fires last week.  15 people were affected including seven children.  The Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team was on the scene for all three disasters to provide support and relief to the families.

Red Cross volunteers make up the Disaster Action Team volunteers give their time at all hours of the day to go to disaster scenes, offering help and support to the victims during their time of need.  The Red Cross provides special training at no cost to the volunteers. 

Training includes first aid and CPR, handling the chaos of a disaster, managing a shelter operation, driving and operating the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle, maintaining organization of files, and providing a sympathetic shoulder to lean on for disaster victims and more.   

If you are interested in becoming a part of this exciting team of volunteers or would like to learn more about the volunteer opportunities at the Tri-County Red Cross, you can contact our Director of Volunteer Services, Victor Webb at 908-756-6414 or email. 

Volunteering with the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) offers an exciting opportunity to go inside the lines during a disaster and work directly with the victims in their most desperate of times.  DAT volunteers are there on the scene providing immediate relief to the victims to satisfy their primary needs: food, clothing and shelter.

They work closely with the men and women who put their lives on the line rescuing these victims.  Firefighters, police and EMT's all receive Red Cross DAT support including canteen services, victim relief and blood services. 

Local disasters happen.  Fires, building collapses, floods are all common to our area and can happen at any time. Below is a map of the local disasters our DAT volunteers have responded to since the beginning of 2008.

Joining our Disaster Action Team is fast and easy. Call Victor Webb at 908-756-6414 and make difference to your neighbors in need and change a life today.    

For more information visit: http://tricountyredcross.org/volunteer/2008/03/become-a-disaster-response-vol-1.html