|
The mission of American Red
Cross Disaster Services is to ensure nationwide disaster
planning, preparedness, community disaster education,
mitigation, and response that will provide the American people
with quality services delivered in a uniform, consistent, and
responsive manner. |
 |
|
How
Red Cross Prepares
Responding
to Disasters
How Red Cross
Prepares
What do we do before a
disaster?
Since it
is not a matter of if, but a matter of when a disaster will
happen, the American Red Cross is constantly working to
prepare for them. Before disasters happen, some of the
things we do to get ready for them are:
-
Work
with local government and organizations in developing
disaster plans so that we can identify and coordinate
resources.
-
Partner
with community organizations and businesses to identify
facilities for possible shelters, service centers,
warehouses, and relief operation headquarters.
-
Work
with local businesses to accept our disbursing orders that
we issue to clients for things such as groceries, clothing,
furniture, and housing.
-
Educate
the public about disaster preparedness and what they can do
to get ready for the next one.
Responding to
Disasters
During
a disaster:
Most of
our disasters are handled by our Disaster Action and Mass Care
Response Teams. These are teams of volunteers that are
on-call 24 hours/day to initiate the response to any kind of
disaster. Some of the activities they may be involved in
include:
-
Conducting a damage assessment to document what
has happened. We use this to help identify those in
need of assistance and provide information to local
emergency management officials.
-
Opening
a shelter when many people are displaced from their
homes. We provide meals and a place to sleep
here.
-
Provide
meals to disaster victims and emergency workers. We
have special vehicles that can prepare and deliver
meals.
-
Interview disaster victims and provide individual
and family assistance. The assistance help with
disaster caused needs and helps with things such as
groceries, clothes, housing, and medical needs.
-
Nurses
are part of our Disaster Action Teams and help clients with
health related matters such as prescription medicines,
medical supplies, and emergency medical
treatment.
-
Licensed
Mental Health professionals are also a part of our Disaster
Action Teams and are available to support both disaster
victims and Red Cross disaster workers.
-
Provide
information to family members to reconnect them after a
disaster.
|
