First Annual Disaster Services - April 2009

First Annual Disaster Services “Hurricane Party”: This was an opportunity for those that attended to update or complete paperwork for the National and Local Disaster Services Human Resources System (DSHR). This is how we maintain the list of who is available and trained ready to deploy either locally, mutual aid in the state or for national disasters. For the first annual, it was a great turn out and many volunteers expressed an interest to do this again as it was informative and also an opportunity to socialize with fellow volunteers and hear about one another’s deployment experiences.

There were 12 new members’ applications and over 100 volunteers updated paperwork that evening and there were many that had dropped off their paperwork previously but popped in. There were 14 new Disaster Response sheets turned in that night which will help to grow the team of available responders locally. Many signed up for upcoming new training opportunities while enjoying the pictorial loop of volunteer’s disaster experiences that were shared by many.

It was a Potluck which was yummy and thank you to everyone for contributing. Ottavio’s Restaurant donated 4 trays of pasta and Albertson’s in Camarillo $50.00 in cooked chicken.

Fellow volunteers had a chance to give testimonials on their recent deployment experiences and share with their peers. Two having just returned within 24 hours from North Dakota from deployment were able to share the most recent disaster experiences. One was deployed in the capacity of Disaster Health Services Supervisor and acted as a Troubleshooter at the Headquarters and another was a Shelter Manager with an average of 35 shelter residents nightly. Kudos to them and thanks to all for sharing.

A presentation on Going on a Disaster was given to dispense of any fears of what to expect. The volunteers followed a Hurricane path to various stations and getting their paperwork stamped for completion and then submitted for an added value raffle prize opportunities. The group updated paperwork, had it reviewed by the Health Services Nurses, signed up for training, received a certificate of appreciation for the past years contribution of time, and had Chapter badge pictures taken and 2009 Hurricane Party Group pictures were taken. The volunteers were able to purchase disaster supplies and equipment needed to be prepared for deployment and any disaster that might hit our county, over $300.00 in retail sales. Remember to all purchase your gifts from the Red Cross and give the gift of safety while helping your chapter at the same time. Each member was given a Deployment information card and collectors pins.

The Committee and helpers put on a fine event. Great job Team!

Take away notes: For those that could not attend, you will be receiving your packets to be completed signed and updated and returned ASAP. Please call Disaster Staffing with any questions that you may have 805-987-1514 ext 329 and set an appointment to review your records or sign you up if not currently in the system.

Plan ahead for the Second Annual “Hurricane Party” May 2010. When you deploy take your pictures and bring them back to share on the loop, as this will be the Disaster event of the year and you will be recognized for your disaster contributions. New from National Headquarters – 2 weeks National assignments reduced from 3!!!!!! Yeah.

Our chapter’s website is now on its way to the 21st Century. We have added the following powerful tools: Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Youtube, Blogger and Imeem. We would like to invite you to utilize these tools and to share them with your friends. Below is a description and link to each. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Alex Elliott at elliotta@usa.redcross.org.

Facebook is a free-access social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school and region to connect and interact with other people. People can also add friends and send them messages and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. We can also start fundraising campaigns.

American Red Cross of Ventura County Facebook Page

MySpace is a social networking website with an interactive, user-submitted network of friends, personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music, and videos for teenagers and adults internationally.

American Red Cross of Ventura County Myspace Page

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them.

American Red Cross of Ventura County Twitter Page

Blogger: is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artblog), photographs (photoblog), sketches (sketchblog), videos (vblog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting), which are part of a wider network of social media.

American Red Cross of Ventura County Blog

Flickr is an image and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community platform. In addition to being a popular Web site for users to share personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers as a photo repository.

American Red Cross of Ventura County Flickr Page

YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips.

American Red Cross of Ventura County YouTube Page

Imeem is a music sharing website where users can upload, view and share audio clips.

American Red Cross of Ventura County Imeem Page