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Red Cross Receives Homeland Security Grants
Written by Alison Baenan, Special to RedCross.org
September 19, 2002 —
Recognizing the importance of a volunteer workforce in preparing for and responding to a terrorist attack or other disasters, Tom Ridge, White House Director of Homeland Security, recently unveiled the nation's first federal grants to involve citizen volunteers in homeland security efforts. The American Red Cross was among the organizations to receive a portion of the funds.
On Tuesday (Sept. 10), the U.S. Homeland Security Office raised the nationwide state of alert to an orange level, signifying a high risk of terrorist activity.
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The Corporation for National and Community Service awarded the grants to help meet President Bush's goal of involving American citizens in the war on terror. Ridge announced that a total of $10.3 million in competitive grants would be awarded to 43 non-profit and public organizations in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
These groups will support the recruitment of volunteers to develop local disaster response plans, expand Neighborhood Watch and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTS), establish Medical Reserve Corps, train youth to prepare for and cope with disasters, disseminate information on bioterrorism, and assist ham radio operators and volunteer pilots in responding to disasters. The grants, funded by Congress, will go to national and local nonprofits as well as cities, counties and state commissions for AmeriCorps programs.
From a pool of $10.3 million, the American Red Cross received $1,778, 978, which was distributed among national headquarters and several chapters.
"The quality of our programs, materials, and efforts of our people across the country are validated by this overwhelming support from the federal government,” said Walt Mikols, Red Cross director of disaster preparedness. “The entire organization should be very proud."
The Greater New York chapter received $500,000 of the Red Cross-designated funds for the recruitment, training and mobilization of 5,000 new disaster volunteers equipped to respond to another terrorist attack on a local level. These volunteers will work with Red Cross service delivery units in New York to train additional volunteers, exponentially increasing the city’s force of disaster relief workers.
Another $371,978 was given to the American Red Cross National Headquarters for a nationwide program aimed at increasing volunteers in communities most vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The grant supports a 10 and a half-month program with 30 Community Preparedness Corps (CPC) Members working in 19 chapters.
Corps members will work in chapters to ensure that all community members -- totaling some 27,000,000 -- have a “family disaster response plan.” They will tailor plans for those with language barriers, physical or mental disabilities and for the elderly and young.
According to Mikols, Corps volunteers will focus on individual and family preparedness. The American Red Cross has several publications, such as "Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected" and "Family Disaster Planning", that CPC members will use, as well as other materials that will be developed for them. Corps members will train community members in First Aid/CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) - all skills that could become necessary during a natural disaster or terrorism attack.
At the same time, CPC volunteers will focus on minimizing intolerance across the country by teaching international humanitarian law and the principles of the International Red Cross Movement (humanity, independence, neutrality, impartiality, voluntary service, unity and universality).
Corps members will also recruit and train an estimated 400 new volunteers and instructors who will make the educational programs available to additional vulnerable communities. Ultimately, corps members working through Red Cross chapters will create a network of hundreds of skilled volunteers across the country, Mikols said.
Additional grants were awarded to Red Cross chapters nationwide. In California, the money will benefit the implementation of homeland security measures in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento. The Oregon Trail Chapter was awarded a grant funding 400 new volunteers to dedicate 1,500 hours of service to disaster preparedness.
On the East Coast, the Red Cross will develop “Disaster Resistant Neighborhood” programs across eight wards of Washington, D.C. Through the program, these neighborhoods will create disaster response plans. The Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter received a grant to create an alliance of more than100 nonprofits in the Philadelphia area to form the Southeast Pennsylvania Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (VOAD) to help citizens prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters.
Ridge recognizes the importance of community involvement in the war on terror, a standpoint made clear by his and the Corporation for National and Community Service's support of the Red Cross.
"The President's new National Strategy for Homeland Security makes it clear that the work of keeping our homeland secure does not rest solely with government,” he said. “Citizens can and must play an active role in protecting their communities.”
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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