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The mission of the 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. The American Red Cross responds to disaster such as
hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, or other situations
that cause human suffering.
Your American Red Cross of Central Alabama
is working around the clock to be there when disaster
strikes. Over the past year alone, your Red Cross has
helped 517 individuals affected by fire and 54 families
affected by natural disasters.
PLANNING TO RESPOND
The American Red Cross of Central Alabama
responds to local disasters such as single family residence
or apartment fires, tornadoes, floods or other local
situations that cause immediate human suffering. Our goal
is to help our clients rebuild their lives once the danger
has passed.
Long before a disaster strikes, the Red
Cross plans what it will do. A disaster response plan
identifies:
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What it will take to respond to various
disasters
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What resources are needed
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How they will be coordinated and used
As part of the planning, the Central Alabama
Chapter practices and participates in drills and exercises.
Such planning and continuing education, enable us to respond
more efficiently and effectively.
PREPARING TO
RESPOND
Every Red Cross chapter works continuously
to be ready to respond by coordinating and collaborating
with other local community based organizations. As part of
this process, we identify places to set up shelters and
service centers, make arrangements with vendors for needed
supplies, and work with local merchants.
Our ability to respond also depends on
having people who are trained and ready. We offer free
basic disaster training to new volunteers who can then
provide consistent, quality services to people affected by
disasters.
RESPONDING TO A
DISASTER
Last year, the American Red Cross responded
to more than 65,000 disasters throughout the United States
assisting families with their disaster caused emergency
needs. Your Central Alabama Chapter of the American Red
Cross has responded to 168 disasters last year including:
single family fires, multi-family fires, tornadoes, and
flooding. Your Red Cross workers responded to disaster by
providing emergency housing, clothing, food, personal
hygiene items, replacement of medications and medical
devices, as well as crisis counseling.
These immediate needs are followed up by Red
Cross volunteers to ensure the families physical and
emotional recovery. Additional services may include:
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Helping the families prepare their
recovery plan
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Assisting families with rent, deposits,
and utilities
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In disasters involving deaths, the Red
Cross may assist the families with funeral expenses and
memorial services.
All Red Cross assistance is given free of
charge, made possible by the generous contribution of time,
skills and money from the people of our community.
Each year our area is a target for
hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. Working with the local
Emergency Management team, the Red Cross opens shelters for
those evacuated or displaced by a disaster.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE
YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP . . .
Call the Central Alabama Chapter at (334)
260-3980.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A
DISASTER VOLUNTEER,
CLICK HERE. |
