Storm relief volunteers in the news

Yesterday, the Register-Pajaronian printed this fantastic article, complete with pictures, on the work our volunteers were doing in the county.  Check it out here:

http://www.register-pajaronian.com/fe_view_article.php?story_id=2862&page_id=72&heading=0

Santa Cruz Red Cross provides help to powerless

The Santa Cruz County Chapter has been providing a canteen service to those affected by the power outages caused by the massive storm that recently barreled through Santa Cruz County. During a canteen service, Red Cross volunteers drive to affected neighborhoods and distribute food, beverages and other goods. This canteen service includes coffee and tea, hot soup and blankets. Meals are served from the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), which is clearly identified as an American Red Cross vehicle. Brewed coffee and hot water for tea have been donated by Peet’s Coffee and Tea of Santa Cruz and Starbucks of Scotts Valley.

The chapter is also providing Counseling to those who request it, as well as help with necessary medical needs that have been interrupted by the power outage.

We are asking our community for monetary donations at this time, as our budget has been hard hit by a record number of home fires this year in Santa Cruz County. A donation to the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross will stay in Santa Cruz County and help your local chapter respond to local emergencies year round, from single home fires to massive disasters that affect the entire community. The American Red Cross, Santa Cruz County Chapter is not a government agency, nor do we receive our funding from National Red Cross. We could not perform our lifesaving services if not for the generosity of the people of Santa Cruz County.

Remember, your Red Cross is always available to answer any questions that you may have. Please call us at 831-462-2881.

Happy (and Safe) Holidays, Everyone!

Can you believe that its already December 21?

The time has flown by for many considering the number of people out on the roads and in the stores. The Holidays can be an especially stressful time, as shoppers attempt to find the perfect gifts and families plan their large gatherings. This Holiday, take some time to avoid a potentially enormously stressful situation by remembering to keep your family Red Cross Ready in case of a sudden emergency or disaster, such as an earthquake.

Keeping your family prepared for a disaster doesn’t have to be stressful. The Holidays, believe it or not, is a perfect time to get prepared. As you get ready for the Holidays, use the following opportunities to take simple actions that will help you become Red Cross Ready for disasters and other emergencies:

Get a kit:

• When the spirit of giving moves you to purchase canned goods for a local food bank, add a few non-perishable food items and a manual can opener to store in your disaster supplies kit.
• While you’re making your list and checking it twice, take a minute to think about the items you would want to take with you if you had to leave your home in a hurry. Add these items to the disaster supplies checklist to personalize your kit.
• When wrapping presents, take some time to pack your disaster supplies in a waterproof, sealable container and store it in a place where you can find it easily.

Make a plan:

• Many of us are so busy throughout the year that we don’t get to see our friends and loved ones as much as we would like. While your family is gathered for the holidays, make sure you have everyone’s updated contact information. Ensure that everyone in your household knows the emergency contact numbers.
• While decorating your home for the holidays, identify two exits from each room as part of your evacuation plan. While you string your lights, pick one meeting spot outside your home and then choose one outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.

Be informed

• If the weather outside is frightful, you need to know how to keep your family safe. Find out what types of disasters are likely to occur in your area and how local officials would communicate with you in case of a disaster like a winter storm.
• You know what radio station plays the best holiday carols, but do you know where you would get information about road closures or evacuation routes? Identify radio, TV, and internet resources that can provide this information.

Stocking stuffers
If you run out of gift ideas for your loved ones, follow these tips for sharing the gift of preparedness:

• Want to give a gift that could save a life? Gift certificates for Red Cross CPR, first aid, or babysitting courses make excellent stocking stuffers.
• Contact your local Red Cross chapter for free Be Red Cross Ready preparedness brochures you can send to loved ones with your holiday cards.
• Give emergency preparedness kits that can be kept in homes or vehicles as holiday gifts.

For more information, contact your Santa Cruz County Chapter at 831-462-2881. We would be happy to help you get your family prepared!

Santa Cruz Rocks

Where were you last night at approximately 8:04 p.m.?

The strongest earthquake since the Loma Prieta quake of 1989 struck the bay area last night, a magnitude 5.6. I was at the Del Mar Theatre, watching Nosferatu. What I assumed was a large truck rumbling the building became quite a bit stronger - lasting for 30 seconds. What was really surprising was that in a town where earthquakes can be a major hazard, why did so many people head outside? It occurred to me that perhaps the last earthquake was so long ago that people have forgotten the correct steps to take to keep themselves safe in an earthquake.

Our blog has never received so many hits in one day. We are thrilled that people are reaching out to take the steps necessary to prepare themselves for the next quake. Here are some EASY steps you can take to make sure you and your family are prepared during and in the aftermath of an earthquake:

Prepare a Home Earthquake Plan

• Choose a safe place in every room–under a sturdy table or desk or against an inside wall where nothing can fall on you.
• Practice DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON at least twice a year. Drop under a sturdy desk or table, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face against your arm. If there’s no table or desk nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you. Teach children to DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
• Choose an out-of-town family contact.
• Consult a professional to find out additional ways you can protect your home, such as bolting the house to its foundation and other structural mitigation techniques.
• Take a first aid class from your local Red Cross chapter. Keep your training current.
• Get training in how to use a fire extinguisher from your local fire department.
• Inform babysitters and caregivers of your plan.

Eliminate Hazards, Including–

• Bolting bookcases, china cabinets, and other tall furniture to wall studs.
• Installing strong latches on cupboards.
• Strapping the water heater to wall studs.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit For Home and Car, Including–

• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Written instructions for how to turn off gas, electricity, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.)
• Keeping essentials, such as a flashlight and sturdy shoes, by your bedside.

Know What to Do When the Shaking Begins

• DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
• If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place (as described above). Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

Identify What to Do After the Shaking Stops

• Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
• Check others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it’s leaking. (Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.)
• Listen to the radio for instructions.
• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
• Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
• Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.

Learn how you can be “Red Cross Ready”
We would be thrilled to help you put together your family emergency plan! If you have any questions, give us a call at 831-462-2881.

25 Santa Cruz County volunteers called to help in So. Cal.

Copyright American Red Cross

25 of our disaster relief volunteers (Including 2 Board Members, 2 Mental Health Professionals, 4 Registered Nurses, 16 Shelter and Mass Feeding Workers and 1 Mass Care Bulk Distribution Specialist) have been called to help with the relief operations in Southern California, and that number continues to grow. Volunteers deployed so far are:

Rick Daniel, Anita Salem, Ray and Joy LeClair, John E. Schultz, Suzanne Carlton, Norman Turner, Janet Packer, Ralph Reyes, Armando Arias, Lee Yamada, Clyta Amadeo, Carmen Mulholand, Virginia Ledesma, Wendy Ostrow, Douglas Anderson, Cherry Roberts, Steve Hibbett, Paula Zabbattini, Susan Champness, Kenneth Llacera, Ellen Dellamora, Sharon Hightower, James Hobbs, Kate McCarthy-Lewis

Here is a snapshot of Red Cross services as of midnight, Tuesday:

• The Red Cross and its partners have opened nearly two dozen shelters across the region.
• 40 trucks full of supplies have arrived, bringing thousands of cots, blankets, toiletry kits and
other needed items.
• 50 Mobile feeding vehicles have arrived with 25 more en route.
• Cleanup supplies are also en route. Supplies include rakes, shovels and other useful
equipment to help with cleanup in the affected communities.
• A large feeding kitchen will open today at Petco Field to support the shelters, mobile feeding
and the feeding to the emergency workers.
• The local chapters have trained more than 1500 local volunteers to help with the effort.
• The national Red Cross has moved nearly 2000 additional workers to the area to help with
feeding and sheltering efforts.

If you have any questions about the local response to this disaster, please feel free to give us a call at 831- 462-2881.

Copyright American Red Cross

Watsonville Service Center Opens!

Thanks to an army of individuals and local businesses, the Watsonville Service Center is now open. We had a blast sharing our office space yesterday at our Ribbon Cutting Event. Four high school students even showed up to become volunteers for their service hours!

Pictured above are Board Chairman and Scotts Valley City Councilman Cliff Barrett, Board Member and Watsonville City Councilman Antonio Rivas, Immediate Past Board Chair Joyce Anderson, CEO Donna Jones, Emergency Response Vehicle Volunteer Driver Jerry Finney and Volunteer Clyta Amadeo.

The Watsonville Service Center would not have been possible if not for the efforts of Antonio Rivas. The Santa Cruz County Chapter extends it’s heartfelt gratitude for all of his hard work!

Thank you again to everyone who made the opening of this office possible. We are thrilled to have the improved ability to serve the city of Watsonville!

Midwest Flood Pictures, Continued

Here are more pictures that Rick shot:

By Rick Daniels

Damage to a living room.

By Rick Daniels
Damage to a Kitchen. The part of the wall that has been cut away denotes the water level at its highest.

By Rick Daniels

Pictures from the Midwest Floods

Rick Daniels, one of our amazing Disaster Relief Volunteers, brought these pictures back with him from the flood relief effort in Rochester, Minnesota.

By Rick Daniels

Two bird feeders hang above the waterline in a Rochester, MN backyard.

By Rick Daniels

Powerful flood waters picked up this home and moved it on to nearby railroad tracks.

By Rick Daniels

A road in Rochester, MN is blocked by flood waters.

10 disaster relief volunteers from Santa Cruz County currently deployed to the Midwest

We currently have the following volunteers deployed to the flood relief effort in the Midwest:

Clyta Amadeo (Santa Cruz) Caseworker
Janet Packer (Aptos) Caseworker
Ralph Reyes (Scotts Valley) Caseworker
Steve Mouw (Aptos) Damage Assessment
Rick Daniel (Santa Cruz) Caseworker
Bonnie Faraola (Santa Cruz) Caseworker
David Allison (Freedom) Caseworker
Stacey Stein (Aptos) Caseworker
Beth Bloom (Aptos) Caseworker
Jon Butah (Watsonville) Shelter Worker

For a few of these volunteers, this is their first disaster relief operation with us.  We wish them luck and hope that all is going well.

 

If you would like to join our dedicated disaster relief team, please contact Patsy Hernandez, Emergency Services Officer.  She will guide you though the training necessary to help people in a time of great loss, such as the flooding in the Midwest.  You can reach her at 831-462-2881  x16   or email her at phernandez@sccredcross.org.

Flooding in the Midwest

Our Santa Cruz County Chapter has just sent 3 of our volunteers to help with relief efforts.  Clyta Amadeo, Janet Packer and Ralph Reyes will be stationed in Rochester, MN.  Stay tuned to this blog for more information, reports, and quite possibly pictures from this relief operation.
For information from the American National Red Cross on the flooding in the Midwest, please visit their Online Disaster blog at: http://redcrossmidwest.wordpress.com