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Greetings,
As our fiscal year draws to an end at SEPA Chapter, we can look back on an amazing year highlighted by the unfailing support of our volunteers.
With just two days to go, we've surpassed last year's total of 876 disasters, responding to 901 disasters; we have provided emergency relief to 5,241 people for the year. Those numbers tell only part of the story; we saw an incredible variety of emergencies, from regional flooding to fatal fires, to the Lebanon Repatriation to the bus accident affecting children at a North Philadelphia summer camp.
While no two emergencies were the same, they had two things in common: the Red Cross provided relief to those in crisis, and that relief was made possible by our tireless Emergency Services volunteers - nearly 1,300 strong.
So as we close out the year, we salute all of you who have helped us carry out our mission. Thanks for making a difference in your community, one response at a time.
Sincerely,
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Director Emergency Services
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A Note from Tom Foley
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SEPA Chapter June Update
We had a very patriotic Memorial Day weekend,
bracketed by visits from Governor Rendell and his two
immediate predecessors.
But first things first – there were 18 fires over that three-day weekend and 59 different volunteers helped us to respond.
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Limerick Nuclear Power Plant Drill
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ES volunteers needed to participate in preparedness drill
We are looking for volunteers to help with shelter
evaluations conducted by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the Limerick
nuclear power plant drill. The evaluations at local
schools will take place July 23-25, 2007, with each day
assigned to a different county.
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NTSB & Critical Response Team Symposium
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Greater New York Chapter Prepares for Mass Casualty Disaster
SEPA Chapter joined The American Red Cross of
Greater New York last month for an in-depth
discussion about preparing for a mass casualty
disaster.
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North Coventry Flooding Response
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American Red Cross Honored for Relief Work
On behalf of the American Red Cross, Jeanne Laird,
co-captain of the Western Montgomery Disaster Action
Team (DAT), accepted a certificate of appreciation
from the North Coventry Board of Supervisors for the
fine work done by Red Crossers during the flooding
in June and July 2006. Jeanne shared a
summary of the disaster relief operation in North
Coventry and what services the Red Cross provided
including sheltering, damage assessment, mobile
feeding, and client casework.
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Disaster Action Teams
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In search of new DAT members to bolster the ranks
Nearly three dozen new members have joined
Disaster Action Teams (DATs) since the latest ES
effort to recruit volunteers for disaster response began
last month.
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The Power of Two
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Red Cross Seeks Public Relations Volunteers
The American Red Cross has teamed up with the
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in a joint
partnership. The Power of Two is designed to
recruit public relations and public affairs professionals
to support Red Cross communication and public
information initiatives.
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Fire Safety Walk-throughs
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Red Cross Takes Action to Prevent Further Fire Tragedies
Following a fatal fire in Chester County last month, ES
staff and volunteers deployed to a neighborhood in
Coatesville to conduct a fire safety walk-through.
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FEMA Training Update
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SEPA Prepares for a National Response
Recently three Red Crossers completed FEMA
ICS-300 (Introduction to Organizational Roles,
Resource Management and Unified Command) and
ICS-400 (Introduction to Area Command and Multi-agency Coordination) training through the Delaware
County Community College Institute for Public Safety
and Emergency Preparedness.
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Volunteer Viewpoint
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The Crisis Continues in New Orleans and Along the Gulf Coast
Nadine Bean, DMHS and DAT volunteer, recently
spent her spring break from teaching in West Chester
University's MSW Program to volunteer in the now well
known enclave of Orleans Parish in Louisiana
– the
Lower 9th Ward.
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ES Staff News
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Welcome Christie Eastburn and Caryn Gibson
Emergency Services recognizes staff who are critical
to accomplishing the Red Cross mission.
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Red Cross Walk Update
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Thank you participants and sponsors
For the past several years our Emergency Services
Department has organized a team of employees and
volunteers throughout SEPA to make up Noah's
Sparks. Teams raise funds to support the Red Cross
Southeastern PA Chapter, and to honor local heroes
who have saved a life with skills they have learned
from the Red Cross.
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