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Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Looks to the Future
Written by Mason Anderson, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Sept. 16, 2002 —
The heroic efforts of the first responders to last year’s terrorist attacks became a source of strength for millions of people around the world struggling to comprehend the destruction. From their example came a new resolve across the United States - to be better prepared in the event of another major disaster. At the Clara Barton Center for Domestic Preparedness, the American Red Cross is garnering that strength and dedication to train first responders and volunteers for a new era of terrorism-related disaster response.
Training is tailored towards local Red Cross chapter volunteers.
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The Clara Barton Center for Domestic Preparedness, located at the Pine Bluff chemical and biological weapons defense arsenal, in Pine Bluff, Ark., opened in May, 2001. Its mission - to educate and train those who deliver humanitarian aid during attacks on U.S. soil involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
WMD threats and incidents include chemical, biological and nuclear attacks.
“Disaster experts have realized the need for WMD preparedness and we’ve been developing and implementing the program for some time,” said Tim Jones, manager, weapons of mass destruction / terrorism training program for the American Red Cross. “After the terrorist attacks, however, the need for such training was more profound.”
During an intensive three day course, participants learn about the Red Cross role and responsibilities during disaster recovery operations. Despite the magnified level of WMD disasters, the training is based on standard Red Cross services during a disaster response.
“Because we are training those providing humanitarian assistance during disaster recovery, we took the critical services of the Red Cross disaster response plan, such as sheltering and mass care feeding, and examined how we could make them work for a WMD disaster,” Jones explained.
Major concerns, however, were the safety and security issues that surround a WMD event. As opposed to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and tornadoes, the safety issues of WMD incidents are much more significant because the dangers can’t be seen.
Every detail, even down to operating a shelter, takes specialized knowledge. For example, shelter operators would need to maintain the safety of the facility by allowing only those unaffected by a chemical or biological weapon to enter. Without training, the Red Cross workers would have little guidance on how to keep those infected with a chemical or biological agent from infecting others.
The American Red Cross has also participated in several government-mandated training exercises, such as TOPOFF, a mock-terrorist attack conducted in New Hampshire in 2000.
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Jones and his fellow disaster experts, including those at General Physics Corp., a workforce development company that is staffing the center, also considered the social and economic effects each WMD disaster would have on a community.
”A chemical attack is very dangerous, but it is also short-term. Evacuees would not need shelter very long compared to residents displaced from a radiological attack,” Jones said. “In the event of a radiological attack, people may never be able to go home and a far greater number of people may be lost. We have to be ready for the social and emotional implications of that.”
Despite the variety of training participants receive, one underlying theme is reinforced throughout - the critical importance of preparedness. One of the primary ways responders can be prepared is by opening the lines of communication with fellow agencies now.
”Responders need that constant flow of communication so they know who is doing what and what services are available,” Jones said. “Having that in place before a disaster occurs will make all the difference.”
The training is available not only to Red Cross staff, but also to government representatives and to other non-governmental organizations that respond to WMD events to ensure an organized response.
“The better prepared responders are, the better the response will be,” said Jones.
Related Links:
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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