Disaster Services

Each year, your Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 40 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), floods, earthquakes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters. The Disaster Services Volunteers of the Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross living on Whidbey, Fidalgo and San Juan Islands are prepared and on call to respond to disaster situations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

The Good News Is That We Can Help

Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to “carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same.” The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support its work with their donations.

Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people’s immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently.

The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

What You Can Do to Help

Take steps to prepare you and your family for the unexpected. A recent survey Red Cross/Wirthlin Worldwide report found that only 20 percent of the American public is adequately prepared for another terrorist attack or natural disaster. You can be ready for the unexpected by following the five steps in the American Red Cross “Together We Prepare” campaign.

• Make a Plan - Learn what disasters you could experience in your community and prepare for them
• Build a Kit – Gather together the household essentials you would need if you were confined to your home for an extended period of time, or were forced to evacuate.
• Get Trained – At least one member of every household should be trained in First Aid, CPR, the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and what to do in case of a disaster. The Islands Chapter offers a full selection Health & Safety Services classes and Disaster Preparedness education.
• Volunteer – Volunteering makes our communities stronger and safer. Find a cause you can support and give them some time. The Islands Chapter welcomes volunteers.  Please check the volunteer link for more information on how you can support our mission.
• Give Blood - The Puget Sound Blood Center, now widely regarded as one of the world’s leading blood centers, serves the needs of 14 counties and 70 hospitals and clinics throughout Western Washington. Consider becoming a regular and frequent donor.

MASS FEEDING BY A NEW RED CROSS KITCHEN CREW

Seven volunteers of the San Juan Islands Unit based in Friday Harbor have started the Red Cross training for mass feeding in times of disaster. Sheryl Bryner, Caroll Kinnaman, Earlene and Arlin Rothauge took the Disaster Kitchen training on January 30th and 31st in Seattle. Three more volunteers have reserved a place in the training on the 13th and 14th of March.
The instructors and students of the course use the national Red Cross semi-trailer called “Henry’s Kitchen” that can serve 10,000 meals daily to disaster evacuees and emergency workers. Sheryl, Caroll and Earlene worked over the stoves while Arlin was busy washing and sanitizing the equipment. The students cooked breakfast and lunch for course participants and also a lunch for 350 people who were served at the Salvation Army facilities. Bon Appetit