0709 Newsletter

July 2009 Volume 1, Issue 11

American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, 441 East 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

New Course for Health Service Volunteers

www.redcross-indy.org

317-684-1441

Join the Mobile Feeding Response Team

By Adam Ansari & Jonathon Cook

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isaster Health Services is pleased to announce the release of the Red Cross ReadyRN course. The ReadyRN curriculum was authored and donated to the American Red Cross by Dr. Tener Goodwin Veenema, a leader in the field of disaster and emergency management. Red Cross ReadyRN was developed by Dr. Veenema in partnership with Disaster Health Services. It is an online curriculum consisting of 20 self-paced modules. The modules are consistent with the National Response Framework that provides interactive scenarios for Red Cross healthcare professionals to learn to manage healthcare needs in shelters, perform health assessments, disaster triage, and respond to public health emergencies in communities across the nation. It should be noted that taking this course does not certify individuals to work as Health Services volunteers. It does however serve as a great refresher and introduction to Disaster Health Services and some of the situations that may occur. Participants may choose to take all of the modules or select only those of particular interest. The modules may be taken in any order and are independent of each other. Participants must complete an evaluative assessment at the end of each module to receive a completion certificate. The Red Cross ReadyRN course modules are available through the Red Cross Learning Management System 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Course numbers for each module are listed on the course Fact Sheet at https://crossnet.redcross.org/chapters/services/ disasters/train/rcr_fs.pdf. • •

Prospective students with an LMS student ID should find the modules listed in their Disaster Course Catalog. Prospective students without an LMS student ID should contact their chapter LMS administrator to obtain one, or to learn how to self-register through their chapter's LMS Response Site.

Please Contact Teresa Cummings at 317-684-4327 or [email protected] if you need an LMS student ID. For questions or difficulty with course access or registration, please email [email protected]

By Debbie Taylor

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he Mobile Feeding Response Team (MFRT) responds to requests from fire, police, and emergency management for mobile feeding service (canteens) throughout our 11-county area. MFRT members are trained ERV drivers and teams are on -call for after-hours coverage as well as during normal business hours. In order to become a member of the MFRT you need to complete the following courses:

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Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion into Community Action

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Mass Care Overview

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Defensive Driving

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ERV Ready Set Roll

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Adult CPR and First Aid

The next training/meeting of the Mobile Feeding Response Team will be on Thursday, July 23 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. If you are currently a member or you are interested in joining the team, please RSVP to [email protected].

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Emergency Services Newsletter

New VISTAs on Board By Adam Ansari & Brad Schleppi

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lease welcome our five new AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to the American Red Cross family. As you stop by the Indianapolis office, don’t be shy; say a quick hello.

Joni McVey, is joining the Emergency Services Department to assist with volunteer development and the expansion of the Disaster Volunteer Management Team and will be an active part in other disaster programs. Joni is a second year AmeriCorps member and she gained a passion for the American Red Cross while serving in Galveston, Texas, after Hurricane Ike. She also has an A.A. degree in University Studies, Psychology, and loves the outdoors. Laura Bradley and Kira Foerster will be our two newest additions to the Faith-Based Community Initiative. Born and raised in Missouri, Laura will soon complete her masters from SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and enjoys learning about other cultures, crafting, and painting. Kira is a recent graduate from Purdue University with a master’s degree in Anthropology. Her interests include reading, archaeology, walking, art, and traveling. VISTA members Annie McEwan and Jill Baber will be the chapter’s first VISTAs to participate in the Youth Department Program. Annie recently graduated from Franklin College where she completed a term of AmeriCorps State in 2008. She was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana and has since been very involved with several inner-city communities. Jill is originally from Portland, Oregon, but has also lived in many parts of the country. This is her first experience with the AmeriCorps program and is extremely excited to start working with people and start serving with the American Red Cross. For those of you who are wondering, “What is AmeriCorps VISTA?” AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. The nationwide corps of VISTAs, nearly 7,000 strong, brings the skills and the passion to low-income communities that are committed to their own development and to building prosperity. Their partners are nonprofit, grassroots organizations and local government agencies—the mainstay of the anti-poverty mission of AmeriCorps VISTA. In this 43rd year of helping America’s most vulnerable citizens, VISTAs served with nearly 1,000 local projects, generated $172 million in cash and in-kind resources for their projects, and mobilized nearly 611,000 community volunteers, an average of 110 volunteers per VISTA. The American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis was lucky enough to receive five of these talented individuals in the past week which brings are total to nine, including a VISTA leader, Katie Burkhardt. We welcome all of our new VISTAs and wish them all the best in their Red Cross endeavors.

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Emergency Services Newsletter

Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Larkin by Adam Ansari

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ursing is defined as the science of providing continuous care for the sick or the infirm. However, after sitting down with our Volunteer of the Month, I realized that this definition was essentially incomplete. Practitioners of this field invariably provide care that extends beyond the medical. They volunteer, teach, communicate, sympathize, and care; and not simply care in terms of the medical, but truly care about what they are doing and who they are treating. I discovered these qualities after talking with Lisa Larkin, who was recently awarded Nurse Educator of the Year by the Indianapolis Star. Lisa has dedicated her career to the advancement of education and has been a guiding light in nursing education for several years. Still, her devotion to education could perhaps only be passed by her commitment to volunteer work. Lisa has been a Red Cross volunteer since May 16th, 1975, the day after she graduated from Indiana State with a degree in nursing. For years, Lisa donated her time to instruct Prenatal Care classes at the Red Cross offices in Vigo and Owen counties; even today, she participates on the first aid team and donates her time to help out in the office to review volunteer health status records. I find myself lucky to have talked with Lisa and find myself even luckier to now consider her a friend.

ES: I bet some of your students are wondering, what is your favorite book? Lisa: My favorite book is actually the first book that I ever read. I believe it was my neighbor that actually gave it to me. Little House in the Big Woods was what it was called. ES: What is your most memorable experience as a volunteer? Lisa: Definitely having my sister and brother -in-law take my Prenatal Care class. It was nice sharing my passion of volunteering with them. ES: If you had a life motto what would it be? Lisa: I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia several years ago and my outlook on life has since totally changed. I don’t feel sad that I was diagnosed with leukemia. Quite the opposite, I feel blessed that I was diagnosed before I started to show symptoms. As a result, my life motto would have to be, “look on the brighter side of life.” ES: Wow, I think it is great that your motto comes from a very real part of your life. If you could give one piece of advice to new volunteers what would it be? Lisa: Make sure you understand why you have chosen to volunteer and never forget it. Sometimes you can get disillusioned with your volunteer work, but it is important to keep in mind your original goals to remain beneficial.

ES: What do you like most about volunteering? ES: What is the most challenging part about volunteering? Lisa: I’m not sure, but I think it is just a calling. It is a spiritual thing, a desire to help others. I like the fact that you feel as if you’re contributing to all of society and not just one organization or one group of people. ES: You recently received the award for “Nurse Educator of the Year.” How did that feel? Lisa: I have received awards and acclamations a couple of times, but nothing so far can compare to receiving the Nurse Educator of the Year award. I consider it the pinnacle of my career, not because of its prestige, but because my nomination came from my students. I don’t think there is a greater honor than knowing that your students believe in your instruction.

Lisa: I think managing your time effectively is the greatest challenge of volunteering. I currently find it difficult to volunteer while holding down two part time jobs; going out on a national disaster would not work for me because of my work schedule. However, I have been able to reconcile this dilemma by volunteering within my own means. I promise to be at one first-aid event a month and if my schedule allows for more that’s great. I also try to get into the office as much as possible to help review volunteer health status records. It is important not to overextend yourself. Try to volunteer in the areas you know you can make a commitment to. I think the most important thing to take away from my interview with Lisa Larkin is her realistic approach to life and volunteering; that it is much more valuable to take the brighter side of things rather than the negative. I encourage you all to take the same approach to your own volunteer work and life.

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Emergency Services Newsletter

Greetings from the FBCI Corner… By Justin Gray

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une has been an important month for the Red Cross FBCI! This month, we say hello to new friends, and goodbye to an old one… The FBCI coordinators would like to thank Second Baptist Church for renewing their partnership with the Red Cross! Second Baptist has been a partner with the FBCI since our beginnings, with Pastor Greene and other members offering invaluable support to the FBCI program. As part of our renewal of friendship, Second Baptist held another round of FBCI training, bringing over twenty new volunteers into their Action Team. Second Baptist has been serving the Indianapolis community for over 150 years, and we are proud to continue to have their support for disaster response! Sadly, this month we say goodbye to Jillian Luttrell. Jillian, an Americorps *VISTA, has been one of the two FBCI coordinators since last June, and took radical strides in advancing the program. Jillian developed many elements of FBCI training and implementation, co-writing a FBCI program manual which has been utilized by chapters across the Midwest! Jillian reached out to faith-based groups throughout Greater Indianapolis, and has been the face of the FBCI and the Red Cross to many of our partners. In the coming year, Jillian will be teaching English in South Korea, where we wish her luck. Thank you, Jillian!

Fortunately, this month we have been graced with the arrival of two new FBCI *VISTAs! Laura and Kira will be working over the following year to continue to support and expand the program. But they can introduce themselves…

Hello from the New FBCI *VISTA Volunteers! By Laura Bradley & Kira Davad Foerster

Laura Bradley I am very excited to join the FBCI team at the American Red Cross! I am originally from Missouri, but moved to Indianapolis to work with this program. I will finish my masters in Sustainable Development in August, am a former Peace Corps Volunteer, and recently returned from 9 months in Cambodia. I enjoy meeting new people, learning how to do new things, and eating Indian food. Kira and I are working hard to learn everything about the FBCI program as quickly as possible so we can continue the wonderful job Jillian and Justin started. Kira Davad Foerster I am originally from New York, but decided to move to Indianapolis to finish my masters degree in Archaeology. Having an interest in volunteering and philanthropy, I wanted to stay on in Indianapolis and join the AmeriCorps *VISTA program at the American Red Cross. I have worked in non-profit museums, and lived in Menorca, Spain for my research. I love to cook, read, walk my dog, visit museums, and travel. I am looking forward to meeting new people, working hard, and enjoying my year at the American Red Cross!

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Emergency Services Newsletter

Have a Submission for the Newsletter?

ARCGI Emergency Services Newsletter Published by our Emergency Services

Send to [email protected]

Volunteer Newsletter Team Jenny Davidson and ES Staff

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Emergency Services Newsletter

Red Cross Links and Resources Faith-Based Community Initiative Blog http://www.rcfbci.blogspot.com/

Dealing with a heat wave http://www.redcross-indy.org/BRCR/HeatSafety.aspx

Information on flood safety. Stay safe! http://www.redcross-indy.org/BRCR/FloodSafety.aspx

DISASTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS How DAT Members Can Help Tell the Red Cross Story By Ann A. Gregson

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o pick up where we left off last month, as a rule, most media interviews will be handled or coordinated by members of the Disaster Public Affairs (PA) Team. It is important to note, however, that the media perceives anyone from the Red Cross as a potential “Red Cross spokesperson.” So…one exception to this rule is if the media are on the scene and a PA Team member is not. For those occasions, here are some basic media tips and Disaster Public Affairs information to help you effectively and, we hope, painlessly collaborate with the Fourth Estate to tell the Red Cross story. The Greater Indianapolis Red Cross has a good relationship with the central Indiana media and welcomes and invites news coverage, so if there are media on the scene, the best thing to do is talk with them! • • • •

Introduce yourself as a local Red Cross disaster volunteer. Ask and then write down the reporter’s name and affiliation. Find out what he or she would like to know. Contact the PA volunteer who is on call for guidance and support.

Media Interview Tips: Prepare – Take a minute to step away to compose yourself and present a positive, caring demeanor. Think through potential questions and plan how you want to respond. Relax and remember that you are an expert with knowledge in specific areas and have information the reporter wants. Respond – Look at the reporter. Listen carefully to each question and take your time to answer. Don’t try to remember or answer multiple questions. Never make “Off the Record” comments. If you make a mistake, correct it on the spot. (Cont on page 7)

Emergency Services Newsletter

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(cont from page 6)

Explain – Talk about things you know. Relate your work to how we are helping people. Be honest. If a question is outside your area of expertise, say so. It is better to say you don’t know than to fake an answer. If you can’t or shouldn’t answer a question, explain that and then bridge to information you want the public to know; never say “No Comment.” Talk in general terms; never discuss confidential client information. Do not speculate on Red Cross policy, what other groups are doing, or what additional assistance the client might require. Simplify – Keep your answers concise. Do not feel compelled to fill the silence. Avoid using Red Cross acronyms and jargon (ERV, DAT, mass care, CACs, etc.). Speak – Enunciate. Be courteous. Keep the message positive. Convey compassion. Key Red Cross Disaster Relief Messages: •

Assure the community that their Red Cross is on the job: “The Red Cross is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to respond to single-family and major disasters.”

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Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people’s immediate disaster-caused needs for basic things such as food, clothing, shelter, and emotional support.

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Disaster clients will be referred to Red Cross caseworkers for any additional assistance to aid in their recovery.

If appropriate, remind the media that it is the financial support of the community that enables the Red Cross to respond to disasters: •

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by the voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.

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Help people affected by disasters by donating to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis Local Disaster Relief Fund.

Remember: •

Keep your comments focused on the Red Cross and the services we are providing.

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Do not speak on behalf of another organization – you are representing the Greater Indianapolis Red Cross only.

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Never say anything negative about another person or organization.

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Do not speculate on the cause of a disaster.

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The Red Cross does not report on injuries or deaths.

Please: Provide your interview information (including reporter’s name, media outlet, telephone number, nature of interview, and other notes you might have) to the PA volunteer who is on call. Red Cross staff will follow up with the reporter as needed. Positive, accurate news coverage about Red Cross disaster relief activities conveys vital information to those affected and to the general public, as well as helps generate financial and volunteer support for the organization. Thanks for helping us tell the Red Cross story! Want to learn more about Red Cross Disaster Public Affairs? Watch for the next Fundamentals of Disaster Public Affairs: The Local Response class!

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Emergency Services Newsletter

Upcoming DAT Training in Madison County By Kate Ayers

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e have classes in July for those who want to become Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers in Madison County. DAT volunteers are on call during the day, at night, or on the weekend in rotating shifts to respond to disasters―usually house fires―in Madison County. DAT volunteers provide assistance for the immediate needs of disaster clients, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Our upcoming FREE classes: Fulfilling Our Mission: Tuesday July 7, 6-9pm Mass Care Overview: Thursday July 9, 6-9pm Client Casework: Two-day class- Tuesday July 14 & Thursday July 16, 6-10pm both days

Shelter Operations and Simulation: Saturday July 25, 9am-5pm You can register by going to www.indyredcrosstraining.org (click on Disaster Courses) or by calling 765643-6622. You could also email [email protected]. All classes will be held at the Madison County Service Center at 914 Chase St, Anderson.

For constant updates on everything Emergency Services related, check the ES Blog at www.arcgies.blogspot.com. The Blog is updated daily and contains links to past Newsletters, Volunteer Opportunities, and Local and National Red Cross News.