Red Cross Role

The Three Rivers Chapter of the Red Cross had the following objectives:

• 1. Evaluate the new Emergency Services Director's knowledge and skills in managing the Red Cross response to a local disaster.
• 2. Evaluate if volunteers in only Yuba and Sutter Counties are able to respond and meet the needs of an incident without calling in assistance from neighboring branches.
• 3. Set up a shelter at Plumas Lake School for the 500 concert-goers at the theater who would be milling around getting in the way of the First-Responders, as well as family and friends who would come to the area looking for information about their friends and loved ones. This shelter would be a place to get out of the way of the First Responders, provide relief from the wind and heat of the day, and provide information passed on by the EOC/IC, Law Enforcement and Health Officials regarding their friends and loved ones.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:  As usual, every volunteer we called and who was able-bodied, responded to the need, even to the point of personal inconvenience.  Their priorities were to assist the victims, their friends and loved ones.  We effectively responded to a local incident with only volunteers from Yuba and Sutter Counties for one shift.  We had enough volunteers in the wings to meet the need for a second shift.  The partners we contacted (Raley's Store in Yuba City and Plumas Lake School) responded and provided their resources.

Weaknesses:  We would probably have trouble meeting feeding, sheltering, IOC Liaison, Disaster Assessment needs for more than 2-3 days.  We need to strengthen and deepen our cadre of volunteers in Yuba and Sutter Counties.

Opportunities:  There are a vast number of untapped human and material resources in Yuba and Sutter Counties.  We need to build closer relationships with the OES in Yuba City, Marysville and surrounding communities, as well as the fire departments and health and family services offices.  These agencies are open to collaborating with us.  We need to provide them with specific areas of possible collaborations and insure key paid and volunteer and paid staff must attend important meetings to build relationships and continue to participate in exercises.

Threats:  Many of the agencies are not aware of how the Red Cross can serve them in an emergency situation. Our Emergency Response Vehicle can be used more effectively in the community.  Agencies don't have contact numbers nor do they have as close a relationship as could be with us.  Our Volunteer Induction and Retention process is weak and people fall through the cracks and end up disappointed.  Our Training Process is not strategic.  We need to analyze our human resources in our volunteer staff, create a desire for skilled training and development and meaningful ways for our volunteers to use that training.

Summary

Overall, I am pleased with our response to the simulated incident at Sleep Train Amphitheater and am proud of our Red Cross volunteer response.  As we continue to work to overcome weaknesses and threats and capitalize on strengths and opportunities our Yuba-Sutter Branch will be able to serve the communities even more effectively.  However, I submit this report to you for your observations and suggestions.

Charles McCaul

Emergency Services Director

Three Rivers Chapter American Red Cross

Email:  disasterdir@sbcglobal.net

Cell:  530-701-2390