American Red Cross

South Central Connecticut Chapter

Emergency Services Department

 

Disaster Program

 

 

The American Red Cross, as an independent voluntary agency, in cooperation with town and local governments, will provide Red Cross Disaster relief in keeping with its Mission Statement and its Disaster plan. The Red Cross will function either cooperatively or unilaterally, with its own supervision.

 

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

 

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

 

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

 

Disaster relief assistance will include emergency mass care and assistance for individuals with urgent and verified disaster-caused needs. It is provided to:

 

·         Sustain human life

·         Reduce the harsh physical and emotional distress that prevents those affected by disasters from meeting their own basic needs

·         Promote the recovery of those affected by disasters when such relief assistance is not available from other sources

 

American Red Cross services not specifically defined below may be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

 

Mass Care (Emergency Service Function 6, as noted in the National Response Plan)

·         Provides shelter facilities, fixed, and mobile food service to those affected by disasters and emergency workers in the disaster area

·         May provide for bulk distribution of supplies and commodities to people affected by the disaster

 

Disaster Health Services

·         Provides basic First Aid in Red Cross facilities on a disaster relief operation to those affected and Red Cross personnel

 

Disaster Mental Health Services

·         Provides for the delivery of mental health services on a disaster relief operation

·         Collaborates with local community mental health providers in ensuring that appropriate human and material resources are available to meet the emergency and/or long-term emotional needs of the affected individuals, families, and communities

 

Disaster Welfare Inquiry

·         Provides response to inquiries from immediate family members outside a disaster area about the health and well being of individuals and families within a disaster area

·         Collects information about such persons, as it becomes available to facilitate reunification services within the affected area

 

Family Service

·         Provides emergency relief assistance to affected residents; vouchers / other financial methods

·         Refers persons affected by the disaster to the resources of government and/or non-government agencies on a case-by-case basis

·         Assistance is based on urgent, verified, disaster-caused needs

 

Disaster Assessment

·         Assesses the size, scope and geographical boundaries of a disaster area. Red Cross workers must have access to affected area; prefer to be escorted by town personnel

·         Determines the level of damage to dwellings within the affected areas

·         Develops and distributes statistical data related to the effects of a disaster and demographics of the affected population

 

Government Liaison

·         The American Red Cross will coordinate its relief activities with federal, state, and local authorities and government units through designated Red Cross government liaisons

·         Access to Emergency Operation Center, Incident Command Post, and/or other established coordinating centers

 

EXCLUSIONS

 

All American Red Cross disaster relief assistance is based on the premise that those affected by disasters are ultimately responsible for their own recovery. Disaster relief assistance will be provided in a uniform fashion using nationwide standards.

 

Disaster relief assistance will not include:

 

·        Transportation of disaster victims and non-Red Cross emergency workers

·        Coordinating Shelter / Evacuation facilities for people who, due to medical or mental health conditions, are unable to care for themselves. Red Cross shelters must not be used for people evacuating from hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living and other situations requiring medical attention

·        Coordinating Shelter / Evacuation facilities for school children and/or day care facilities

·        Coordinating Shelter / Evacuation to the special needs population and disabilities

·        Coordination of health clinics due to infectious diseases

·        Coordination of health care facilities; including alternate, field units

·        Shelter due social hardship, homeless, and landlord / tenant issues

·        Shelter for animals other than service animals

·        Decontamination and/or Monitoring (Pre-Decon) of victims or emergency workers

·        Services in areas that have been deemed unsafe; Red Cross personnel and services must be located in a Safe (Cold) Zone

·        Assignment of dollar figures to damages

·        Food replacement due to a power loss

 

Although Red Cross can not coordinate shelters, evacuation centers, health clinics and health care facilities, Red Cross could possibly assist with one or combination of registration, feeding and providing mental health services. These services are based on our resources, community assets and Red Cross has met all other obligations in our traditional roles.

 

Red Cross Evacuation Centers / Shelters

 

 

Past experiences indicate a vast majority of people refuse to stay in an evacuation center or shelter due to a disaster. They prefer to stay with family, friends, or neighbors. This depends on the type of disaster, time of year, and many other factors. Town officials are required to contact the Red Cross to review all details prior to announcing to the public about a Red Cross Shelter.

 

Evacuation Center: Facility used to shelter people affected by a disaster, usually 12 hours or less

 

Shelter: Facility used to shelter people affected by a disaster for at least 24 hours or more. The facility must be equipped to support sleeping areas for the appropriate number affected

 

 

  • We recommend a policy of ‘shelter in place’ until a storm is over; evacuation into a facility only if damage has occurred. Residents living in areas prone to disaster should leave before the storm arrives (unless mandatory evacuation is made); i.e. flooding, hurricane, etc

Red Cross can not coordinate a facility that does not meet the criteria for the disaster (pre or post storm)

 

  • Previous experience indicates shelters are best used AFTER a storm, if needed. This promotes effective use of resources; Town and Red Cross.

 

  • During power outages, facilities are recommended not to open immediately. The utility company can provide updated information on length of time and areas of disruption. Residents are encouraged to ‘shelter in place’. Factors include extreme cold weather and those affected do not have alternate choices to stay with family or friends.  

 

  • When officials deem necessary to open a Town evacuation center / shelter, the Red Cross requests to be notified, prior to notification to the public. If the town decides to manage the facility themselves, Red Cross should be notified since residents could be entitled to Red Cross financial services.

 

  • Opening a Red Cross shelter could take 90-120 minutes. Since we are volunteer based, our personnel could be affected by the disaster, impassable roads, etc. The Red Cross has an extensive mutual aid program with other Red Cross chapters in the state and nationally. Many factors will determine if additional manpower is needed.

 

Red Cross has procedures for opening, managing, and closing a Red Cross shelter.

Once a Red Cross shelter is open, we assume responsibility for the direct costs of operating and providing for the residents. Since we are not federally funded, we can not apply for FEMA funds. We hope the local government will work closely with us to contribute any resources to us; Board of Education workers (cafeteria staff / janitorial services), food, security, etc.

 

  • Large scale disasters that affect many communities, regional shelters should be considered rather than setting up separate facilities in each town. This is another effective use of resources.

 

  • Haz-Mat / Radiological disasters, Red Cross facilities can only be utilized for ‘clean’ persons. The municipal is required to work closely with Red Cross to ensure those affected are clean and segregated to ensure they do not come in contact with contaminated people, including Red Cross personnel.

 

 

Each disaster is different and many factors contribute in the decision making process. The American Red Cross is a resource that could aid in a town/city’s responsibility to protect the health, welfare, and safety of their residents. The American Red Cross is willing to assist each municipal in choosing appropriate facilities. We recommend each town have trained employees in shelter management. The Red Cross is prepared to teach your employees in all areas of shelter management and feeding. If not, please meet with us to review our shelter policies and procedures.

 

 

 

REFERENCE

·        Congressional Mandate – U.S. Congress, act of January 5, 1905, as amended, 36 U.S.C.

·        Red Cross Disaster Services Program 3000 Series

·        Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-288)

·        State of Connecticut – Title 28, Chapter 517 of the Connecticut General Statutes

·        Congressional Mandate - Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996

·        Federal Family Assistance Plan for Aviation Disasters (April 9, 1997)

·        American Red Cross / State of Connecticut Agreement

·        South Central CT Chapter / Municipal State of Understanding

·        National Response Plan

·        State of Connecticut Fire Rescue Disaster Response Plan

 

American Red Cross Role / National Response Plan

 

Primary Role       ESF 6 / Mass Care

 

Supportive Roles   ESF 3 / Public Works and Engineering

                                    ESF 5  / Emergency Management

                                    ESF 8 / Public Health and Medical Services

                                    ESF 11 / Agriculture and Natural Resources

                                    ESF 14 / Long Term Community Recovery and Mitigation

                                    ESF 15 / External Affairs