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April 28, 2009 Preparing Seniors for Emergencies by Robyn Hatch
Explaining the importance of an emergency kit
The Salem Senior Center was very lucky to have the New Hampshire Red Cross present an incredible session on ‘Disaster Preparedness.' The seniors were told they need to take responsibility to protect their life and prepare now for a sudden emergency. Emergencies and disasters can strike quickly and without warning and can force evacuation in your neighborhood or confine you to your home. The Red Cross explained what to do if basic services - water, gas, electricity, or communications - were cut off. They were also shown how to protect themselves and cope with disaster by planning ahead. Even with physical limitations, it was shown that it is still easy to protect and prepare for the worst. A disaster supplies kit needs to be packed and ready in one place, before a disaster strikes. Supplies need to last for at least three days. Supplies need to be stored in a backpack or even a container with wheels. An example of these supplies was shown. A list of basic needs was passed out in a neat little compact brochure, with some items listed including cold climate supplies and necessary items for the car. Seniors were told to label their equipment - such as wheelchairs, canes, and walkers - with their name, address, and necessary phone numbers. The seniors left with a good understanding on what they need to do to be prepared. Many comments could be heard on how great the session was. Many could hardly wait to get home and start collecting all the items that were just talked about.
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March 21, 2009 -Red Cross interactive event at the Rockingham Mall in Salem
An interactive event for all ages was offered by the American Red Cross NH Gateway Chapter and was hosted by The Mall at Rockingham Park in the court area across from Bath & Body Works. The Community Participation offered a variety of learning tools and training methods for the public to encourage preparedness. Stations and exhibits was set up to stimulate the senses.
Children were encouraged to bring a favorite toy friend and take part in the Red Cross Kids' Clinic. Parents can take pictures of their children with Buddy the Blood Drop. Other demonstrations included were pet first aid and CPR, Choking Charlie, CPR, senior safety, disaster services mock shelter and there were free giveaways for the kids.
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Johnathan Paulhamus, 6 1/2, of Merrimack, N.H., gets a Red Cross symbol painted on his bear crown by his grandmother, Denise Feil, the Health and Safety Director of the N.H. Gateway Chapter, during a Red Cross Community Participation in Rescue event held at the Mall at Rockingham Park on Saturday. The event had various stations for people to learn more about disaster preparedness, CPR demonstrations, pet first aid and CPR, and information about all the various services available from the Red Cross. Photo by Allegra Boverman/Eagle-Tribune Saturday, March 21, 2009
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April 2, 2009-Multi Family Apartment Fire- Salem
Salem blaze blamed on cooking fire.
A three-alarm fire Thursday night left all the residents of the 26-unit complex temporarily displaced.
The American Red Cross arrived at the scene to offer residents help and was available until 8 p.m. Those who sought help were given debit cards to purchase food. Tenants of unit 12 and the unit directly above it were given vouchers to purchase clothes, said Karen Dudley, chairwoman of Red Cross disaster services.
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March 25, 2009
Fargo, North Dakota flooding
NH Gateway Chapter deploys 3 DAT (Disaster Action Team) volunteers.
Bao Cramer
Lynn Rice
Bob Scheifele
As North Dakota residents prepare to fight potentially record flooding, the American Red Cross is digging in with them and getting ready for what could be a long disaster relief operation. The Red Cross is in a race against the clock to move food, workers, cots and blankets into Fargo before the floodwaters on the Red River crest as early as the end of this week.
"This disaster is not a surprise; it has been coming and we have been working with local Red Cross chapters and with the Canadian Red Cross," said Joseph Becker, senior vice president of disaster services for the Red Cross. "But what's not known is how fast the water will rise. When it does, it could stay up for a long time and we want to be ready."
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Nearly 100 Red Cross workers are already on the scene in the Red River Valley to offer care and comfort. Eleven mobile feeding trucks are providing thousand of meals and snacks to sandbagging volunteers. Another 20 feeding trucks will arrive over the next 48 hours. More than 50,000 ready to eat meals are also on hand to feed sandbagging crews.
Yesterday Bob Scheifele deployed as Mass Care Administrator to coordinate Feeding, Sheltering and Bulk Distribution efforts for the Relief operation. In addition, 12 volunteer teams will arrive in North Dakota today, Wednesday to operate shelters. Those teams consist of seven people specially trained in the logistics of running a shelter and providing health care and mental health counseling. Included in these shelter teams is Bao Cramer, whom will be deploying later this afternoon for her first national assignment.
Neighboring chapters are also sending trailers full of cots and blankets to help supply those shelters. The Red Cross is coordinating all of these efforts with the governor's office, as well as state and local emergency managers.
Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanredcross/ to see more photos from the field or http://newsroom.redcross.org/ for some youtube clips.
March 29, 2009 Lynn Rice was deployed Saturday evening to North Dakota for Material Support Services/ Relief Technology.
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Vine St. Fire in Nashua
February 9, 2009 members of DAT responded to a Multi Apartment Unit Fire at 126 Vine St. in Nashua. The Team was on the scene at approximately 11:45 A.M. with the ERV. The fire destroyed 17 residential units and 2 commercial units in the building. Most of the residents lost everything.
We processed and provided assistance to 13 of the families. This totaled 31 individuals, 7 of which were under 18 years of age. All except for 1 of which found temporary housing with family and/or friends. We provided DHS to 3 people and DMHS to 3 people as well. Cards totaling over $5500 were provided to these families to aid in getting their lives restarted. One pet was saved while 2 were lost in the fire. We left the scene at approximately 4 P.M.
Currently the NH Gateway Chapter has spent $7,662 on the Vine Street response
- 36 people
- 10 under 18
- 3 dhs services
- 3 mental health services
- 9 comfort kits and 4 blankets, 4 teddy bears
- 10 volunteers responded
All but 2 families have been placed in new Apt. for those two families we are still providing hotel rooms and working to place them.
We are also providing partial security for two other clients. I am projecting that we will be roughly $8,000 when this is through
Central Realties is collecting material donations at their office for the clients so please forward any donation offers to them.
Please Donate Now to the Local Disaster Relief!
Victim of Vine Street fire describes his view of life now
By JOSEPH G. COTE Staff Writer
Ice Storm 2008
During the Ice storm we:
- opened 4 shelter and 4 fixed feedig sites
- 450 hotline calls
- 45 health service contacts
- 120 mental health contacts
- 684 shelter overnight stays
- served 2,175 meals
- 1,222 snacks
- Distributed 215 comfort kits
- Complete 5 Welfare inquires
- Recruited and Trained 43 spontaneous volunteers
- Involved 88 volunteers in feeding, sheltering and responding to Ice Storm Disaster related needs
More Ice Storm news....
Disaster Services provided in 1 weekend 1-16-2009 - 1-18-2008
- January 16,2009 -We responded this evening to a fire at an apartment complex for Senior citizen in Pelham. We worked with town officials to open a shelter at the elementary school where we received 16 individuals and 2 cats whom were bused there by emergency responders.
- January 17, 2009 -Red Cross volunteers responded to a duplex fire in Nashua with two adults and six children ( they declined assistance).
- January 18, 2009 -Sunday morning we worked with an apartment complex whom was without water for 4 days to secure the return of plumbing/ water.
- Januray 18, 2009 -Sunday night we were called to Milford for a apt. fire that led to the first floor of the building being temporarily condemned due to water damage (estimated 30+ individuals). Dave coordinated the response and Jerry and Chris helped out on scene. Currently we are still providing shelter for 3 families.
2008 News....
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