Folks- need your help. My church is considering cooperating with the Red Cross in using part of the building as a shelter. Don't know why but this makes me uncomfortable but need some info to present to the committee.

Zog gave me his input which was invaluable but personal, first hand info- good or bad would be really helpful. Feel free to e-mail me directly.

With deepest gratitude,

EC

-- EC (JHnck1776@aol.com), April 08, 1999

Answers

First, what will happen is the ARC will evaluate the cooking, serving and other spaces available in your church.

then they will add it to their "inventory" of shelter sites.

Next, if they are creative, they will store a Shelter Kit, containing all of the forms that we require (should look like a LARGE trunk or footlocker). We use an incredible number of forms!! the old Dunesbury Census comic panel about "this is the government. We have forms!" rings even more true if you replace Gov't with ARC.

Then, if something occurs, Hazmat spill, Natural Disaser etc., someone will come to th echurch, do a walk through to verify any minor damage existing in the facilities, document this, and they will then bring in volunteers to run the feeding, housing, interviewing, etc. The provision of food, water, coffee, cookies, etc. will be done based on negotiations with the church (for instance,the church may say that noone other than Church folks are to use the stoves. then the church has to make these folks available when needed.)

After the event, the same walk through is done, and any new damage is repaired at ARC's expense.

During the event, there may be things like a generator brought in to power the church, a water buffalo may be brought in to provide potable (just barely!!LOL) water, etc.

Been there, put 'em in inventory, set 'em up, torn 'em down, cleaned 'em up.

chuck

I'm really curious as to why you are uncomfortable. Perhaps you might share this either here or use the e-mail on my reply, it works.

CR

-- Chuck, a night driver (reinzoo@en.com), April 08, 1999.

The "Lights Out" issue of Wired magazine had some interesting observations about goings-on in shelters during (I think) the Canadian ice storm. The simple business of keeping people clean, to prevent the spread of disease, became a major undertaking. Definitely worth reading, & NOT something to look forward to in real life.

-- this way (to@the.showers), April 08, 1999.

My church is planning likewise to establish a Disatster Shelter working with Regional Cincinnati Ohio Red Cross.

Red Cross requires certified volunteers and Shelter Manager. They require two of the following core courses and one of the following functional courses:

Core Courses:

American Red Cross Standard First Aid American Red Cross Introduction to Disaster Services

Functional Courses:

Damage Assessment Mass Care Emergency Assistance to Families Disaster Health Services Disaster Mental Health

Each regional Red Cross offers these courses locally on a varied schedule. You can call your locqal Red Cross and ask to be put on their mailing list for upcoming course announcments.

Some URLs for Dosaster Shelters are:

Red Cross Courses porterwn@one.net), April 08, 1999.

My church is planning likewise to establish a Disatster Shelter working with Regional Cincinnati Ohio Red Cross.

Red Cross requires certified volunteers and Shelter Manager. They require two of the following core courses and one of the following functional courses:

Core Courses:

American Red Cross Standard First Aid American Red Cross Introduction to Disaster Services

Functional Courses:

Damage Assessment Mass Care Emergency Assistance to Families Disaster Health Services Disaster Mental Health

Each regional Red Cross offers these courses locally on a varied schedule. You can call your locqal Red Cross and ask to be put on their mailing list for upcoming course announcments.

Some URLs for Dosaster Shelters are:

Red Cross Courses

porterwn@one.net), April 08, 1999.

Here is a site with a gentlemans personal experiances during the Quebec Icestorm

Montreal Ice Storm Ecological Disaster Hits Quebec Ontario New Brunswick New York Vermont New Hampshire and Maine

-- Brian (imager@ampsc.com), April 08, 1999.