Transcript Slide 1

American Red Cross Sheltering
Amy Green
National Summit on
Emergency Management
and Assistive Technology
Reutilization
February 23-24, 2010
RESPONSE
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American Red Cross Sheltering
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The American Red Cross, through its
Congressional charter and other federal statutes,
has both a legal and moral mandate to provide
disaster relief services in every community across
the nation.
In the most visible of its core services, the Red
Cross responds to the immediate needs of
disaster-impacted communities by opening,
operating, and supporting shelters that provide a
safe, secure, temporary environment for as many
people as possible.
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Red Cross Shelters
Red Cross is the nation’s primary sheltering
organization.
Chapters are the cornerstone of Red Cross
disaster services, responsible for initiating and
managing responses to disasters in their
jurisdictions.
Local Red Cross Chapters work closely with local
government and community partners in all
phases of disasters.
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Red Cross Shelters
Red Cross Shelters provide those affected by
disaster a safe place to stay. Sheltering provides
for the basic needs of disaster victims including a
place to rest and sleep, hygiene items, and
meals.
In addition, shelter clients have opportunities to
enjoy recreational activities, receive updated
disaster information, and take part in Red Cross
and community services to begin their recovery.
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Core Shelter Activities
Registration
Dormitory Management
Feeding
Bulk Distribution
Client Casework and Recovery Planning
Disaster Health & Mental Health Services
Welfare Information and family reunification
support
Recreation
Information Dissemination
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Role of the Shelter Manager
 Ensure the shelter is a safe place for residents and staff.
 Ensure that the basic needs of shelter residents are being
met, while engaging residents to identify any unmet
needs.
 Work internally with Disaster Health Services and
Disaster Mental Health to ensure we can safely
accommodate everyone who seeks shelter, and provide
appropriate referrals when we cannot.
 Partner effectively in order to address the disaster caused
needs of residents through Red Cross or other resources.
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Disaster Health Services Role
 Provide Disaster Health Services support in shelters and
other service delivery sites.
 Identify disaster-related health needs of clients.
 Provide replacement of medications, equipment and/or
medical services.
 Utilize community services and partners to meet the
disaster-related healthcare needs.
 Collaboration with public health agencies and the
medical/nursing communities.
 Provide CDC/Public Health surveillance of injuries and
illnesses within a shelter and other service delivery sites.
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Disaster Mental Health Services Role
 Provide Disaster Mental Health support to clients and
workers in shelters and other service delivery sites.
 Train all workers to provide psychological first aid.
 Provide triage, assessment, education, crisis intervention,
mental health messaging and referral services.
 Utilize community services and partners to meet the
disaster-related mental health needs.
 Collaboration with public health agencies.
 Perform behavioral health surveillance to identify sites
with highest risk clients.
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Initial Intake and Assessment Tool
American Red Cross – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Typical AT Needs
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DME
Oxygen and other medical supplies
Prescription medication replacement
Limited English proficiency
Visual and hearing impaired
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Red Cross Role
 Planning
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Play an active role at the planning table
Learn the various AT needs of local populations
Pre-identify the likely AT needs during a disaster
Develop local partnerships to address these specific needs
Seek out various ways to work within local community
 Response
 Support role with Mass Care and Client Services
 Leverage our partners to address the disaster related needs of
the affected population
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Red Cross Goals
 Educate our chapters in this subject area.
 Ensure we communicate effectively to our
clients and partners.
 Safely accommodate everyone in our
congregate shelters and identify those needing
referral to a special medical needs shelter.
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