0809 Newsletter

August 2009 Volume 1, Issue 12

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

DSHR News

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Recently an e-mail went out regarding the changes to the Disaster Staff Cards (DSC) provided to volunteers being deployed to disasters. The two major changes included are as follows: 1. The DSC may only be used for approved expenses at approved merchants. These include restaurants, convenience stores, and some department stores (such as WalMart and Target). Restricted merchants include theme parks, clothing retailers (like J.C. Penney’s), pharmacies, and doctors. 2. Cash withdrawals are now limited to $300 per life of card (time on DR). All 17 Disaster Services Neighborhoods are open to all Red Cross volunteers and employees. For more information and links to the neighborhoods, visit the https://neighborhoods.redcross.org/response/default.aspx section of CrossNet. Neighborhoods for the different Groups/Activities are listed on the right side of the screen. CrossNet logon and password are required. If you have lost or forgotten your DSHR or CrossNet logon and password, or have questions about the Staff Card changes, please contact Kadi at [email protected].

317-684-1441

Goodbye and Good Luck, Jon Cook

By Kadi Best

ational Red Cross is still in the process of gearing up for the peak time of hurricane season (August to midOctober). They are utilizing the availability dates entered into the DSHR system as a means for gauging just how many volunteers would be available at given times, and for recruiting for a disaster. Therefore, please enter your availability dates if you have not already done so.

www.redcross-indy.org

By Debbie Taylor & Joni McVey

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n Friday, July 31, Jonathon Cook’s term with AmeriCorps (Indiana RAP Corps) came to an end. Needless to say, we are all going to miss Jon very much. The Emergency Services department was successfully able to hold a surprise luncheon for Jon, which included everything from smoked pulled pork to deviled-yetheavenly sweet eggs and Klondike bars!

Jon, on behalf of the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, it has been a pleasure getting to know you and working with you! You have done a tremendous job and we appreciate all your hard work. We will miss your smiling face, sense of humor, and your enthusiasm. We all wish you the very best in your future endeavors, and we look forward to your continued volunteerism with ARCGI!!

Emergency Services Newsletter

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Emergency Services Newsletter

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Volunteer Spotlight: Louise Avery by Adam Ansari

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n the past two years, our Volunteer of the Month has participated on 8 disaster relief operations and has done a total of 10 operations since 2005. She has worked as a caseworker, warehouse associate, shelter supervisor, disaster assessment associate, and has even operated a fork lift working in bulk distribution. In 2008, she spent almost five consecutive months out on disasters; traveling from Columbus, Indiana, to the Illinois floods, next transferring to Texas for Hurricane Dolly, followed immediately by Hurricane Gustav and then Hurricane Ike. During her time on Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, she spent an unparalleled 41 successive days on the operations. Even in 2009, she has already involved herself in two operations: one in Kentucky during the ice storms and one in Missouri for flood relief.

in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the people down there were simply great. We serviced over 800 clients in our shelter, and the volunteers worked so wonderfully together. I met volunteers from all over the county and from a variety of different age groups. To have that large of a group of people with the same goal in mind is really amazing to witness. ES: What do you wish other people knew about the Red Cross? Louise: Anyone can receive help and anyone can volunteer to help. The Red Cross is a place for everyone as long as you have the desire to help others. ES: If you could be anyone in fiction or in history who would it be?

I have never actually thought about that before. Although, I think the person I most admire right now is Michelle Obama. She has made the American dream a reality for millions of young black females throughout the country and she did it through hard work and I like to think of Louise Avery as a Jack of all Trades; an indidedication. Also, her commitment to volunteer work has made vidual who is not only willing to drop everything and answer the call for a relief operation, but also a person who is prepared her a role model in my eyes. to contribute to any disaster activity, regardless of the situation. It is for these qualities that I am proud to have sat down ES: If you had a life motto to live by, what would it be? with Louise Avery and am even more pleased to have her as a Louise: Do to others how you would have them do to you. dedicated Red Cross volunteer. ES: How did you first get involved with the Red Cross?

ES: If you could give one piece of advice to new volunteers, what would it be?

Louise: Around 2004/2005 I felt the need to start volunteering. All my kids had left home and I wanted something meaningful Louise: Take as many Red Cross classes as you can and try to to occupy my time. I began taking classes in 2004 and a cou- learn as much as you can from the instructors; they are your best resource for disaster relief knowledge. ple of months into my volunteer work, Hurricane Katrina occurred and the rest is history. ES: What do you find most challenging about your volunteer work? ES: What do you like most about volunteering? Louise: I am not sure if I find anything that challenging, but I believe having a positive attitude on relief operations would solve many of the challenges a person could go through. Sometimes it is hard to remain optimistic in such a negative ES: What is your most memorable experience as a volunteer? situation. However, it is really important for each volunteer to keep an upbeat attitude, because if they don’t, the clients Louise: It just so happens that the largest and most destructive surely wouldn’t either. disaster of our generation happened to be the first disaster that Louise Avery’s ability to remain positive and flexible in a disI went out on. Being able to see, first-hand, the destruction that a hurricane can cause is overwhelming, to say the least. I aster situation are, without question, two of the most important remember seeing foundations of houses with no house in site; qualities a volunteer can have. I encourage you all to take a page from Louise’ life-lesson-book and try to keep these qualiscenes like that will make you take a second and think. ties in mind the next time you encounter a disaster situation. Louise: I like going out to different disasters and meeting different people. It gives you a real sense of fulfillment helping people in a disaster situation.

While recovering after Hurricane Katrina, I was located down

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Greetings from the FBCI Corner… By Laura Bradley

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appy Summer from the FBCI coordinators! Justin has been very busy through July orienting Laura and Kira to the nuts-and-bolts of the program and introducing our many partners.

Meeting Old Partners During July we have toured seven of our partner facilities and met Action Team leaders. The FBCI coordinators would like to thank each of the partnering facilities we visited this month for taking the time to answer our questions and provide tours of their buildings: . Englewood Christian Church

Traders Point Christian Church

Mt. Pleasant Christian Church

1st Church of the Nazarene

Shelbyville Community Church

Horizon Christian Fellowship

Plainfield Christian Church

And Making New Friendships! The FBCI team has also been looking for opportunities to expand the FBCI program, which led us to the Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis on Acton Road. Justin and Laura were warmly welcomed by the Sikh community and would like to thank our guide into the Sikh culture, K.P. Singh, who patiently explained Sikh traditions and culture. The FBCI coordinators look forward to a future of cooperation with the Sikh Satsang as we work together to forward our mutual goals of service to the community in the Indianapolis area.

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Instructors Needed By Debbie Taylor

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o you have a background in instruction or feel you might have the talents and desire to become an instructor? Would you like to put your skills toward teaching basic disaster training courses to new volunteers?

On Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, the Greater Indianapolis Chapter will be holding the Disaster Instructor Specialty Training. This course prepares knowledgeable and experienced workers to teach basic-level disaster training courses, thereby ensuring uniform and quality disaster training consistent with Red Cross policies and the regulations and procedures of Disaster Services. Prerequisites: • • • • •

Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion Into Community Action or Introduction to Disaster Services Mass Care Overview (or Community Services Overview) Fundamentals of Instruction and Facilitation* Three other basic level disaster training courses, to include the one the candidate intends to teach Sufficient operations knowledge and experience to be able to convey accurately the concepts, principles, and procedures contained in the course the candidate intends to teach and to be able to answer participants’ questions.

*Self-study materials available from the Emergency Services Dept. This is a two-day course and both days must be attended. Classes will begin at 9 am and end at 5 pm both days.

Cleaning the ERV By Debbie Taylor

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here are many volunteer jobs around the Chapter, including cleaning our Emergency Response Vehicles. Tyler Swaim, Jon Cook, and Carl Bishoff helped out in July. Thanks, guys!

Shown here are Tyler Swaim, Jon Cook, and Carl Bishoff.

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Red Cross Links and Resources Kroger and Red Cross launch disaster relief partnership in Central Indiana http://www.redcross-indy.org/AboutUs/NewsArticle.aspx?ArticleID=321 Red Cross History http://www.redcross-indy.org/AboutUs/History.aspx International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies http://www.ifrc.org/

Information from DisasterPrepped.com For many of you, your pets are considered to be members of your family. This month, DisasterPrepped.com focuses on helping you prepare those pets for potential emergencies or disasters. First, the “PETS” preparedness section highlights many valuable tools and solutions at www.disasterprepped.com/pets.php Second, there are several articles now available at the website addressing the following topics: • Disaster Preparedness for Pets www.disasterprepped.com/preparedness_pets.php • Disaster Tips for Reptiles and Amphibians www.disasterprepped.com/reptiles.php • Disaster Preparedness for Horses www.disasterprepped.com/preparedness_horses.php • What’s Best for My Pets? Deciding to Stay or Go www.disasterprepped.com/pets_evacs.php • Animals in Public Evacuation Centers www.disasterprepped.com/pet_shelters.php

Volunteer Survey Results By Chris Gilbert

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few months ago, volunteers were invited to complete a survey that would allow the chapter to learn about the experiences volunteers were having with the Greater Indianapolis Chapter. For the many of you that took the survey, your feedback is appreciated as it will help us improve the quality of everyone’s volunteer experience. The results of the survey have been shared with appropriate staff at the Chapter and many have found your input and comments very useful. An invitation method is already being discussed that will allow us to get greater participation in the survey for the coming year. If you would like to see the results of the survey please send an e-mail to Chris Gilbert at [email protected].

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Madison County DAT News By Kate Ayers

Introducing Volunteer Leaders

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n July, the Madison County Disaster Action Team (DAT) gained its very first leaders.

Jerry Johnson will now provide support to DAT members during fire calls that require extra help. Filling a much-needed role, Vera Davis is completing the monthly DAT schedule and facilitating communication. Jerry and Vera, along with Casey Grant, will also plan DAT meetings in order to keep volunteers trained and engaged. In addition, Pamela Beeler is now the volunteer Event Coordinator for Madison County. She will be helping to maintain the Red Cross presence in the community, at fairs and events throughout the county. We are fortunate to have Jerry, Vera, Casey, and Pamela as volunteer leaders at the Red Cross. Their dedication and compassion demonstrate that the Red Cross is truly led by volunteers.

Pictured, left to right: Vera Davis, Pamela Beeler, Jerry Johnson, and Casey Grant

Johnson County Volunteer E-Service By Mike Riley

Johnson County citizens can now volunteer through a new e-service: Johnson County Volunteer Connections

http://www.helpjohnsoncounty.org/

The Red Cross entry offers the following description: Disaster Action Team (DAT) members are the first Red Cross responders to local disasters―especially house fires. The DAT provides for the immediate needs of clients affected by disaster, such as food, clothing, medications, and shelter. The service then directs prospective volunteers to Volunteer Match at .www.volunteermatch.org

Emergency Services Newsletter

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Come Out and Enjoy the 152nd Indiana State Fair By Heather Starr

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t’s time again for the Indiana State Fair! While you’re at the fairgrounds enjoying yourself, stop by the Red Cross area and thank all of the First Aid volunteers for the long hours and hard work that they will be putting in for the 17 days of the fair. The dates are Friday August 7th through Sunday the 23rd.

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Volunteer Newsletter Team Jenny Davidson and ES Staff

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.