Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Flash
Flash
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2009
From the Director:
Much change has occurred since our last FLASH was published. We are a bit leaner in regards to paid staff
members but at the same time many volunteers have taken up the slack to ensure we are continuing to
move forward. Despite hard economic times none of the services we offer, disaster relief and disaster
education has not suffered. Our present team is listed below, along with our toll free number.
Our Team:
Toll free 1-888-843-5748
Ann-Marie West, Deputy Director X 1846
Bill Dion, Director, Director X 1827
Rusty Russ, Chairman X1815
Since there are a lot of changes and announcements, I have kept the articles short and to the point. We do
hope that you will read on so you are engaged and current with all the news. As a team, our morale
remains high and we eagerly look forward to the future and the adventures that will come our way.
Multi-Family Disasters: 1
Month Individuals Families
August 3 2
Single-Family Fires: 16
Month Individuals Families
September 57 16
Multi-Family Disasters: 2
Month Individuals Families
September 18 7
SWAT Call-out:
On Sunday September 27th our Chairman Rusty Russ received a call from the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office
requesting hydration for responding officers to a SWAT call whereby residents in the vicinity were
evacuated and a subject had locked himself in with a loaded weapon. The situation came to a quick
conclusion as the subject ended up killing himself.
Planning:
New DAT Coordinators:
With the recent internal changes in the Disaster Department, individual DAT members have been given
additional responsibilities in coordinating their teams. For each DAT team, there is now one or two
assigned coordinators who will help keep the teams organized and well trained and engaged. Several
Teams have already conducted a Hurricane Bill mini table top exercise as a way to keep them in a ready
mode during the height of the hurricane season.
The following folks are now engaged in assisting as DAT Coordinators:
Camden and Charlton County DATS----Emily Kellar
Nassau County DAT-----------------------Bob Keane
Duval County DATs-----------------------Yvonne Ellis and Roger Knight
Clay County DAT--------------------------Jaime Thompson
Baker County DAT-------------------------Freeman Dowling
Bradford County DAT----------------------Wendy Russell
Putnam County DAT-----------------------Linda Landsford
St Johns County DAT----------------------TBA
Union County DAT-------------------------Mary brown
Your Chapter has already had two tests of the Code Red notification system, one by phone notification and
another by e-mail notification. Both tests were very successful. If for some reason you did not receive one
or both of these two test alert notifications, please contact Karen Overton at the Chapter, 904-358-8091.
We may not have your current phone numbers and e-mail information in the system correctly. We are
currently trying to update and verify all phone numbers and e-mail addresses of our current disaster
volunteer staff.
In the future the Code Red system will save the Chapter hundreds of phone calls by volunteers when it is
necessary to make contact with you, our disaster volunteers. You can also expect more tests of Code Red
in the future.
DA (Disaster Assessment) Meets and finds out what a “Cat 3” means to NEFL:
On September 19 the DA Team leaders and several service associates came together in a workshop
designed to inform the team on what challenges there would be in store for “DA” folks in the event a
Category 3 hurricane hitting the area. Al Sandrik Chief Warning forecaster from the National Weather
Service participated as the guest speaker and participated in the rest of the meer
Mass Care Overview Tuesday October 13th from 6PM to 9PM Chapter Hdqtrs
Shelter Operations Thursday October 15th from 6PM to 9PM Chapter Hdqtrs
Fulfilling Your Mission Monday October 19th from 6PM to 9PM St Johns Service Ctr.
Fulfilling Your Mission Wednesday November 4th from 6PM to 9PM Chapter Hdqtrs
ERV, Ready Set Roll Saturday November 7th from 9AM to 3PM St Johns Service Ctr.
Please register for these classes by calling 358-8091 X1831 (1-888843-5748 toll free) and leaving a voice
message Or, e-mail to westa@nefloridaredcross.org
Other Big Events:
Military Family Day, thousands attend!
Red Cross had a major presence at this event that took place on Saturday October 4th. Donald Rosenberry,
Larry Lightfoot and Gerald Francis provided 54 cases of bottled ice water in what was a well attended
family event put on every other year for military families. Several Jaguar players, three Jaguar “ROAR”
Cheerleaders, static aircraft displays, country singers, and free hotdogs were all part of the festivities. The
Red Cross also had a Service to Armed Forces display. The ice water from the Red Cross ERV Team
really did the job for hundreds of participants, since the event was held in an un-air conditioned hanger at
the Florida Air National Guard Hdqtrs