August 2009

Volume 1, Issue 12

American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, 441 East 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 www.redcross-indy.org 317-684-1441

DSHR News Goodbye and Good Luck,

By
Kadi Best Jon Cook

N
By
ational Red Cross is still in the process of gearing up Debbie Taylor & Joni McVey

O
for the peak time of hurricane season (August to mid-
October). They are utilizing the availability dates entered n Friday, July 31, Jonathon Cook’s term
into the DSHR system as a means for gauging just how with AmeriCorps (Indiana RAP Corps) came
many volunteers would be available at given times, and for to an end. Needless
recruiting for a disaster. Therefore, please enter your avail- to say, we are all go-
ability dates if you have not already done so. ing to miss Jon very
much. The Emer-
Recently an e-mail went out regarding the changes to the gency Services de-
Disaster Staff Cards (DSC) provided to volunteers being partment was suc-
deployed to disasters. The two major changes included are cessfully able to hold
as follows: a surprise luncheon
for Jon, which in-
1. The DSC may only be used for approved expenses at cluded everything
approved merchants. These include restaurants, conven- from smoked pulled
ience stores, and some department stores (such as Wal- pork to deviled-yet-
Mart and Target). Restricted merchants include theme heavenly sweet eggs
parks, clothing retailers (like J.C. Penney’s), pharma- and Klondike bars!
cies, and doctors.
Jon, on behalf of the American Red Cross of
2. Cash withdrawals are now limited to $300 per life of Greater Indianapolis, it has been a pleasure getting
card (time on DR). to know you and working with you! You have
done a tremendous job and we appreciate all your
All 17 Disaster Services Neighborhoods are open to all Red
hard work. We will miss your smiling face, sense
Cross volunteers and employees. For more information and
of humor, and your enthusiasm. We all wish you
links to the neighborhoods, visit the
the very best in your future endeavors, and we
https://neighborhoods.redcross.org/response/default.aspx look forward to your continued volunteerism with
ARCGI!!
section of CrossNet. Neighborhoods for the different
Groups/Activities are listed on the right side of the screen.
CrossNet logon and password are required.
If you have lost or forgotten your DSHR or CrossNet logon
and password, or have questions about the Staff Card
changes, please contact Kadi at kbest@redcross-indy.org.
Emergency Services Newsletter 2
Emergency Services Newsletter 3

Volunteer Spotlight: Louise Avery

by
Adam Ansari

I
in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the people down there were simply
n the past two years, our Volunteer of the Month has par-
great. We serviced over 800 clients in our shelter, and the vol-
ticipated on 8 disaster relief operations and has done a total
unteers worked so wonderfully together. I met volunteers
of 10 operations since 2005. She has worked as a caseworker,
from all over the county and from a variety of different age
warehouse associate, shelter supervisor, disaster assessment
groups. To have that large of a group of people with the same
associate, and has even operated a fork lift working in bulk
goal in mind is really amazing to witness.
distribution.
ES: What do you wish other people knew
In 2008, she spent almost five con-
about the Red Cross?
secutive months out on disasters;
traveling from Columbus, Indiana, to
Louise: Anyone can receive help and any-
the Illinois floods, next transferring
one can volunteer to help. The Red Cross is
to Texas for Hurricane Dolly, fol-
a place for everyone as long as you have the
lowed immediately by Hurricane
desire to help others.
Gustav and then Hurricane Ike. Dur-
ing her time on Hurricanes Gustav
ES: If you could be anyone in fiction or in
and Ike, she spent an unparalleled 41
successive days on the operations. history who would it be?
Even in 2009, she has already in-
volved herself in two operations: one I have never actually thought about that
in Kentucky during the ice storms and one in Missouri for before. Although, I think the person I most
flood relief. admire right now is Michelle Obama. She has made the
American dream a reality for millions of young black females
throughout the country and she did it through hard work and
I like to think of Louise Avery as a Jack of all Trades; an indi-
vidual who is not only willing to drop everything and answer dedication. Also, her commitment to volunteer work has made
the call for a relief operation, but also a person who is prepared her a role model in my eyes.
to contribute to any disaster activity, regardless of the situa-
tion. It is for these qualities that I am proud to have sat down ES: If you had a life motto to live by, what would it be?
with Louise Avery and am even more pleased to have her as a
dedicated Red Cross volunteer. Louise: Do to others how you would have them do to you.

ES: How did you first get involved with the Red Cross? ES: If you could give one piece of advice to new volunteers,
what would it be?
Louise: Around 2004/2005 I felt the need to start volunteering.
All my kids had left home and I wanted something meaningful Louise: Take as many Red Cross classes as you can and try to
to occupy my time. I began taking classes in 2004 and a cou- learn as much as you can from the instructors; they are your
ple of months into my volunteer work, Hurricane Katrina oc- best resource for disaster relief knowledge.
curred and the rest is history.
ES: What do you find most challenging about your volunteer
ES: What do you like most about volunteering? work?

Louise: I like going out to different disasters and meeting dif- Louise: I am not sure if I find anything that challenging, but I
ferent people. It gives you a real sense of fulfillment helping believe having a positive attitude on relief operations would
people in a disaster situation. solve many of the challenges a person could go through.
Sometimes it is hard to remain optimistic in such a negative
ES: What is your most memorable experience as a volunteer? situation. However, it is really important for each volunteer to
keep an upbeat attitude, because if they don’t, the clients
Louise: It just so happens that the largest and most destructive surely wouldn’t either.
disaster of our generation happened to be the first disaster that
I went out on. Being able to see, first-hand, the destruction Louise Avery’s ability to remain positive and flexible in a dis-
that a hurricane can cause is overwhelming, to say the least. I aster situation are, without question, two of the most important
remember seeing foundations of houses with no house in site; qualities a volunteer can have. I encourage you all to take a
scenes like that will make you take a second and think. page from Louise’ life-lesson-book and try to keep these quali-
ties in mind the next time you encounter a disaster situation.
While recovering after Hurricane Katrina, I was located down
Emergency Services Newsletter 4

Greetings from the FBCI Corner…

By
Laura Bradley

H appy Summer from the FBCI coordinators! Justin has been very busy through July orienting Laura and Kira
to the nuts-and-bolts of the program and introducing our many partners.

Meeting Old Partners

During July we have toured seven of our partner facilities and met Action Team leaders. The FBCI coordinators
would like to thank each of the partnering facilities we visited this month for taking the time to answer our questions
and provide tours of their buildings:
.
Englewood Christian Church Traders Point Christian Church
Mt. Pleasant Christian Church 1st Church of the Nazarene
Shelbyville Community Church Horizon Christian Fellowship
Plainfield Christian Church

And Making New Friendships!

The FBCI team has also been looking for opportunities to expand the
FBCI program, which led us to the Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis on
Acton Road. Justin and Laura were warmly welcomed by the Sikh
community and would like to thank our guide into the Sikh culture,
K.P. Singh, who patiently explained Sikh traditions and culture. The
FBCI coordinators look forward to a future of cooperation with the
Sikh Satsang as we work together to forward our mutual goals of ser-
vice to the community in the Indianapolis area.
Emergency Services Newsletter 5

Instructors Needed
By
Debbie Taylor

D o you have a background in instruction or feel you might have the talents and desire to become an instruc-
tor? Would you like to put your skills toward teaching basic disaster training courses to new volunteers?

On Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, the Greater Indianapolis Chapter will be holding the Disaster Instructor
Specialty Training. This course prepares knowledgeable and experienced workers to teach basic-level disaster training
courses, thereby ensuring uniform and quality disaster training consistent with Red Cross policies and the regulations and
procedures of Disaster Services.

Prerequisites:

• Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion Into Community Action or Introduction to Disaster Services
• Mass Care Overview (or Community Services Overview)
• Fundamentals of Instruction and Facilitation*
• Three other basic level disaster training courses, to include the one the candidate intends to teach
• Sufficient operations knowledge and experience to be able to convey accurately the concepts, principles, and proce-
dures contained in the course the candidate intends to teach and to be able to answer participants’ questions.

*Self-study materials available from the Emergency Services Dept.

This is a two-day course and both days must be attended. Classes will begin at 9 am and end at 5 pm both days.

Cleaning the ERV

By
Debbie Taylor

T here are many volunteer jobs around the Chapter, including cleaning our Emergency Response Vehi-
cles. Tyler Swaim, Jon Cook, and Carl Bishoff helped out in July. Thanks, guys!

Shown here are Tyler Swaim, Jon Cook, and Carl Bishoff.
Emergency Services Newsletter 6

Red Cross Links and Resources

Kroger and Red Cross launch disaster relief partnership in Central Indiana

http://www.redcross-indy.org/AboutUs/NewsArticle.aspx?ArticleID=321

Red Cross History

http://www.redcross-indy.org/AboutUs/History.aspx

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

http://www.ifrc.org/

Information from DisasterPrepped.com Volunteer Survey Results

By
Chris Gilbert

A
For many of you, your pets are considered to be mem-
few months ago, volunteers were
bers of your family. This month, Disaster-
invited to complete a survey that
Prepped.com focuses on helping you prepare those
would allow the chapter to learn about
pets for potential emergencies or disasters. First, the
the experiences volunteers were having
“PETS” preparedness section highlights many valu-
with the Greater Indianapolis Chapter.
able tools and solutions at
For the many of you that took the sur-
www.disasterprepped.com/pets.php
vey, your feedback is appreciated as it
will help us improve the quality of eve-
Second, there are several articles now available at the
ryone’s volunteer experience.
website addressing the following topics:
The results of the survey have been
• Disaster Preparedness for Pets
shared with appropriate staff at the
www.disasterprepped.com/preparedness_pets.php
Chapter and many have found your
input and comments very useful. An
• Disaster Tips for Reptiles and Amphibians
invitation method is already being dis-
www.disasterprepped.com/reptiles.php
cussed that will allow us to get greater
participation in the survey for the com-
• Disaster Preparedness for Horses
ing year.
www.disasterprepped.com/preparedness_horses.php
If you would like to see the results of
• What’s Best for My Pets? Deciding to Stay or Go
the survey please send an e-mail to
www.disasterprepped.com/pets_evacs.php
Chris Gilbert at cgilbert@redcross-
indy.org.
• Animals in Public Evacuation Centers
www.disasterprepped.com/pet_shelters.php
Emergency Services Newsletter 7

Madison County DAT News

By Kate Ayers

Introducing Volunteer Leaders

I n July, the Madison County Disaster Action Team (DAT) gained its very first leaders.
Jerry Johnson will now provide support to DAT members during fire
calls that require extra help. Filling a much-needed role, Vera Davis is
completing the monthly DAT schedule and facilitating communication.
Jerry and Vera, along with Casey Grant, will also plan DAT meetings in
order to keep volunteers trained and engaged.
In addition, Pamela Beeler is now the volunteer Event Coordinator for
Madison County. She will be helping to maintain the Red Cross presence
in the community, at fairs and events throughout the county.
We are fortunate to have Jerry, Vera, Casey, and Pamela as volunteer leaders at the Red Cross. Their dedi-
cation and compassion demonstrate that the Red Cross is truly led by volunteers.

Pictured, left to right: Vera Davis, Pamela Beeler, Jerry Johnson, and Casey Grant

Johnson County Volunteer E-Service

By Mike Riley

Johnson County citizens can now volunteer through a new e-service:

Johnson County Volunteer Connections http://www.helpjohnsoncounty.org/

The Red Cross entry offers the following description:

Disaster Action Team (DAT) members are the first Red Cross responders to local disas-
ters―especially house fires. The DAT provides for the immediate needs of clients affected by disaster,
such as food, clothing, medications, and shelter.

The service then directs prospective volunteers to Volunteer Match at .www.volunteermatch.org

Emergency Services Newsletter 8

Come Out and Enjoy the 152nd Indiana State Fair

By
Heather Starr

I t’s time again for the Indiana State Fair! While

you’re at the fairgrounds enjoying yourself, stop by
the Red Cross area and thank all of the First Aid volun-
teers for the long hours and hard work that they will be
putting in for the 17 days of the fair.

The dates are Friday August 7th through Sunday the

23rd.

ARCGI Emergency
Have a Submission for
Services Newsletter
the Newsletter?
Published by our Emergency Services
Send to Volunteer Newsletter Team
Jenny Davidson and ES Staff
esnewsletter@redcross-indy.org

For constant updates on everything Emergency Services related,

check the ES Blog at www.arcgies.blogspot.com. The Blog is
updated daily and contains links to past Newsletters, Volunteer
Opportunities, and Local and National Red Cross News.