Everyday Heroes!

An old Squadron Commander sent the following e-mail with notes from his wife's recent work with Red Cross flood relief in Tennessee. Reading through it, I am struck by how much it sounds like a military deployment, which isn't surprising when you think about it. People helping people - getting organized is the first step.

It is amazing to me all the people out there willing to take leave from their daily lives to help out when needed. Joan Bowden is just one of many American heroes that take up the gauntlet everyday in this great nation:

Here are Joan's notes from her Red Cross deployment to Tennessee. It's appropriate I send it tonight since this afternoon she got a call from Red Cross to open a shelter about 30 miles west in Fremont to take care of locals forced out of their homes by flooding. She's there now. She'll probably be there for about two days. Joe

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Nashville update:

I left for Nashville on Sunday, May 9. I had about 36 hour notice. That is typical of a national disaster – if you are contacted and able to go you must be ready to leave within a 24-36 hour time period. Otherwise, someone else may take your slot.

When I arrived in Nashville, it was a week after the terrible flood. The flooding was caused by a slow moving storm that dumped around 17 inches of rain in a short period of time. That caused the river to overflow as well as the many streams in the area. It was considered a 1000 year flood. No one was prepared as initially there was just supposed to be about 2-3 inches of rain at the most.

I was fortunate enough to be traveling with another person from our chapter, an 81 year old man, a retired college professor who was very spry and sharp. He had been on a few nationals before, so he was very helpful to me. Upon arrival, we picked up a rental car (provided by the Red Cross) and went directly to headquarters, which was a vacated Dr’s office building loaned to the RC for this time. It was amazing – I felt like I was showing up for first day of enlistment in the service. I had to go to one place to sign in, another place to get my lodging, another to get a staff card (a credit card preloaded with $ for expenses). I then went to another floor to sign in with Client Casework (my job for this operation) and give them my info, fill out a couple of forms). Then, I went to the hotel to settle in. The next day was one of orientation and training.

The next day, Tuesday, was my first day in the field.

RE the motel: Each person is assigned to a hotel, some were nice ones like the Hyatt, some not so nice, such as the Days Inn, where I was. The Red Cross works with various hotels looking for the best rates. You must share a room with another RC volunteer. The RC cross keeps track of each room at each hotel and as someone leaves the operation, another person is assigned to the room. I was fortunate to have two very nice roommates. I was at 2 different hotels. It is suggested that you don’t unpack too much in case you are moved to another location, which I was. The key is to be FLEXIBLE.

Here’s a sample of my daily schedule: I woke up at 6 (showered either in the AM or at night), as I was sharing the room. Left the room by 6:45 am to carpool to the headquarters. Breakfast was served from 7:15 to 8 AM. My first meeting was held at 8 AM – for the entire staff. Between 8:15 and 8:30 AM was another meeting, for caseworkers (that’s the activity that I was assigned to). After that, I picked up all my necessary paperwork that I would need when meeting with clients. My “team” would then meet up and we’d head out to our neighborhood. At the 8:30 meeting, my supervisor was given “street sheets” which told which neighborhood we’d go to. We’d then go to that neighborhood and start knocking on doors and meeting with people. Unfortunately, many people were not home as their house was unlivable. We would then leave a note with a phone # on it for them to contact the Red Cross. When they did, we would go back and visit with them. Those that were in their neighborhood we would talk with and assist them with money for food, replacing bedding, and some clothes and shoes, and referrals to other agencies depending on their needs. RC helps with IMMEDIATE needs, not long term. FEMA helps with that. My day ended with a meeting at 6:30 pm each night. Then we were released. I’d then meet up with my carpool and then go get a bite to eat and then back to the hotel. So, many times I was eating around 8 or so at night. When I returned to my room, I’d visit with my roommate, sharing info on our day, then lights out, generally around 10:30 or 11 pm.

Carpooling: RC people would congregate in the hotel parking lot and get rides from one another.

Eventually, you rode with the same people to/from most of the time. If you missed your ride, you just hopped in with someone else going to the same place.

My team consisted of a supervisor, 3 caseworkers, a mental health person and a nurse. The nurse and mental health people had to rotate between teams, so we didn’t have them every day.

A few statistics:

• Approx 2000 people lost their homes state-wide.
• 37 shelters were opened statewide
• 2400 cases were opened (meaning that many families were assisted by the Red Cross)
• 63 ERVs were assisting in the area. An ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) is like an ambulance that has been revamped. Ervs drove around specific areas giving out hot meals (prepared by the Southern Baptist kitchens), snacks, water, and some cleaning supplies. The ERVs were brought in from RC chapters around the US.
• Total RC staff statewide: 3084 (approx)
• Meals served in the shelters: 148,915
• Clean up kits distributed: 20,377 I’m not sure what they contain.
• Comfort kits distributed: 10,845 A comfort kit is basically toiletries.
• Bulk items distributed: 329,021 (this could include buckets, brooms, gloves, masks, tarps, etc)

It was a great experience. I learned a lot, met some wonderful, dedicated people. When I met with clients they were so appreciative. Got a few hugs, saw a few tears. It was somewhat easier since it was more than a week since the flooding, so the initial shock was over. Now, they faced recovery. We always wore our vests, so people would stop us occasionally in parking lots, in restaurants, etc. thanking the Red Cross for coming and helping. Many were amazed that RC volunteers came from all over the country to help. On my day off (after almost 10 days in the field), I went to a plantation with my 81-year old “boyfriend”. When they found out we were with the Red Cross, we were given free admission. Some of the restaurants gave us discounts also.

This is probably a lot more information that you would be interested in, but it has helped me to remember some of what went on. And, I am sure, I have left out a lot of info.