Sept. 9, 2008
Q. What has the Los Angeles Chapter’s response been to Hurricane Ike?
A. We currently have 40 volunteers and staff members helping in the Gulf Coast. Our people are working with thousands of Red Cross disaster relief workers from around the country who are helping shelter and feed many thousands of displaced people from the affected region.
Q. Have the Los Angeles relief workers returned from Hurricane Gustav?
A. For the most part, the emergency response teams sent to help with Gustav are still in Louisiana and are now waiting for Hurricane Ike to hit land. And unfortunately, there appear to be more storms following Ike. Since most national disaster assignments are three weeks in length, this allows for valuable team continuity and for relief workers to be sent to more than one disaster in the same vicinity.
We heartily thank our Red Cross disaster response volunteers for making the commitment to help those people in the Gulf Coast who are suffering through severe circumstances.
Q. Can you describe the “Fast-Track” disaster training classes you are holding this week?
A. Many people generously ask to volunteer for the Red Cross during times of disasters. However, we cannot simply send people out to disaster sites. The Red Cross is responsible for handling specific tasks during disasters, and all Red Cross volunteers must be properly trained and Red Cross-certified to be disaster responders.
Fortunately, we are holding two Fast-Track disaster courses this week allowing volunteers to be completely trained and ready to be deployed quickly to the Gulf Coast or to a disaster in our area. One course trains volunteers on how to support mass care and sheltering operations. The second offers casework training so the volunteer is prepared to provide Red Cross services to disaster victims in times of great need. We will have 25 new volunteers ready to deploy tomorrow, if the need arises.
Q. What has the response been in the Gulf Coast?
A. For Gustav, the response from local government, FEMA, the Red Cross, and our partners was strong and effective. It ran so smoothly that public attention has already moved to other topics….even as a bigger storm is expected to hit later in the week. What most people don’t realize is that many people affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Hannah still cannot get back to their homes. The Red Cross continues to shelter thousands of displaced Americans and deliver hundreds of thousands of meals, all free of charge.
Q. Talk to us about the severe need to replenish the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund?
A. The Red Cross uses the relief fund to pay for extraordinary operations like Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah, and Ike. Because of the high number of disasters over the past 12 months — from wildfires, tornados, floods and now more hurricanes — the disaster relief fund is depleted. We will need to raise an additional $100 million to pay for hurricane response operations this season.
Q. How does this fund help people in Los Angeles?
A. The Disaster Relief Fund will pay for Red Cross relief operations during any catastrophic event here in Los Angeles. When a disaster strikes Los Angeles that is beyond the scope of our human and financial resources, the national Disaster Relief Fund covers the cost of the relief efforts.
Q. What preparations are you making for a major disaster in Los Angeles?
A. We have launched an Emergency Shelter Container program, whereby we are placing 20-foot storage containers filled with disaster supplies at locations around the Southland. These containers will be placed at schools, community centers, businesses, places of worship and other sites that will act as emergency shelters during a disaster. These containers are an integral part of our catastrophic plan to help prepare Los Angeles for a major event like an earthquake. By pre-positioning supplies, we will be in much better shape in the case of a sudden unforeseen quake. We are planning to place 80 Emergency Shelter Containers within Los Angeles this year alone, and we need to place another 80 as soon as possible.
Q. How can someone help the Chapter?
A. This is a great time to support the organization. We encourage everyone to volunteer their time, donate blood and make a financial contribution to help support those in need. You can also prepare for a disaster by taking Red Cross CPR and first aid courses. And don’t forget to stock up on emergency supplies for your home, car and workplace. It’s time to Get Prepared L.A.!
Tags: disaster response, gulf coast hurricanes, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike
