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Greetings,
As we begin the New Year, we're reminded of the
importance of partnerships in helping people in
Southeastern Pennsylvania prevent, prepare for and
respond to disaster.
In the past year alone, we've seen the value of
strong partnerships in our region: ARC SEPA Chapter
more than tripled its capacity to shelter thousands of
people in an emergency, thanks in part to funding
from the Regional Counter-terrorism Task Force and
the generosity of our corporate partners. Similarly,
we provided aid to 4,171 passengers fleeing the
fighting in the Middle East in July, with critical
support from our city, state and federal partners.
These are just a few examples.
In this issue, you'll read about two important
initiatives the Red Cross recently spearheaded with
our partner organizations, VOAD and Citizen Corps.
Both have laid the groundwork for a more effective
response in the next emergency.
We wish you a happy and healthy New Year and look
forward to continuing to work with you to accomplish
the Red Cross mission.
Sincerely,
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Director Emergency Services
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Partners in Preparedness
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Red Cross volunteers lead sheltering drill in Montgomery County
More than 40 volunteers from SEPA Voluntary
Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and Citizen
Corps joined six experienced American Red Cross
shelter workers in Montgomery County to learn hands-
on techniques in disaster shelter operations.
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Uniting Communities in Disaster
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Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) hosts Interfaith Conference
Representatives from various faith-based groups
attended an Interfaith Conference, held on December
7, 2006. The conference, sponsored by VOAD,
Citizen Corps, and the American Red Cross, provided
insight into how faith-based groups can work
together in preparation for and in the aftermath of
disasters.
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A Note from Tom Foley
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SEPA Chapter highlights
On December 21, this Chapter along with the Loew's
Hotel and the Young Friends of the Red Cross hosted
over 400 children and 250 adults at a one-of-a-kind
holiday reception. All of our guests were displaced
by fire, flood or other disaster in the past year, and
did not have much to smile about when we first met
them (either at the scene of the disaster or at Red
Cross House).
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ICRC Visit
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Delegation Chief reflects on a life in times of war
Geoff Loane was born an Irishman. But after several
decades of service to the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC), he has learned to live an
international life, mostly in war zones.
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Emergency Services Leadership Meeting
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Leaders meet to discuss Emergency Services preparedness, response, and communications
On Tuesday, December 5, 2006 Disaster Action Team
(DAT) and specialty team captains and coordinators
met with Emergency Services staff to discuss current
initiatives.
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Client Assistance Card Audit Time
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Help us improve our service to clients
The SEPA Chapter of the American Red Cross started
using Client Assistance Cards (CACs) several years
ago. CACs are a highly successful, web-enabled tool
that allows chapters and disaster relief operations to
quickly provide clients with financial assistance by
issuing them a card that functions like a debit card.
Clients may use a CAC to purchase the items they
are entitled to, such as clothing, shoes, groceries
and medications.
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Disaster Response Supplies Update
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Volunteer responders should know where materials are in the time of need
As the chapter receives more and more supplies, an
enviable challenge presents itself – how to keep
track of where everything is.
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Happy Holidays
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Disaster Action Teams celebrate the holidays together
To celebrate the season, the Bucks County and
Eastern Montgomery Disaster Action Teams held
holiday parties at local restaurants to honor their fine
work over the past year and to celebrate the spirit of
the season.
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Volunteer View
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A Spiritual Care team volunteer writes how disaster response impacts his life and the lives of others.
When I was asked to respond to a family's request
for help following a fatal fire, I felt as if I had been
asked to walk on sacred territory. I knew that by
entering into the pain and hurt of this family, I was
going to a place where not everyone is free to enter.
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Disaster Response Communications
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Keep in touch!
Help us ensure clear communication between the
volunteer and staff responders, disaster officials,
clients, and the Bridge.
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