Red Cross Disaster Response

Tuesday's editorial explores how the Red Cross connects volunteers with disasters, and the challenges they face.

When disaster strikes, such as the major floods in Georgia, trained volunteers of the American Red Cross can be counted on to help victims. Among the hard-working folks assisting Georgia flood victims are two volunteers from the Coastal South Carolina Chapter of the Red Cross.

They left family and job and drove an emergency response vehicle - an "Erv" to Red Cross folks - to the area near Atlanta where floods have forced many residents from their homes.

When volunteers such as these two are sent to a disaster area, it's for a minimum of two weeks, according to Karen Anderson, preparedness and response director for the Coastal S.C. Chapter. (The Red Cross in North Carolina has a Coastal Carolina Chapter.)

The Pee Dee Chapter, headquartered in Florence, also has two volunteers in Georgia, says T.J. Lesieur, director of disaster services. They drove the Erv stationed in Florence.

Deployment to a disaster is really hard on the volunteers, Anderson says. "You have to be a very dedicated volunteer ... to walk away from family and your job." One of her volunteers in Georgia is on leave from employment and the other is retired. Once in the disaster area, Anderson says, 12-hour work days are typical and "you're lucky if you get a day off, although they try to give volunteers one day off in seven."

The Coastal S.C. Chapter covers Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties. Eight disaster teams are located throughout the three counties, Anderson says. Team leaders are the first volunteers to be called to respond to a home fire, for example. Helping families after residential fires (three last week, 35 since July 1) is one of the Coastal S.C. Chapter's major activities, along with emergency communications for military personnel and families.

Emergency response volunteers have been trained in specific areas such as disaster assessment and using the Erv. Anderson says volunteers are needed for the three-county response teams, especially in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and in Georgetown and Williamsburg counties.

Anderson notes that the volunteers in Georgia are acquiring "more skills and experience if it happens here. It's a good training opportunity." In March, volunteers from here went to Aiken and Columbia after tornadoes, and in April workers from other areas helped in the North Myrtle Beach wildfires.

All Red Cross volunteers start with basic training, Anderson says. It's eight hours, in one day, including an overview of the Red Cross, shelter operations and basic care for large numbers of people.

Anderson says the initial training may guide volunteers into specific areas in which they have an interest. Overall, the Coastal S.C. Chapter has 364 volunteers who do a variety of chores as office assistants, in health and safety and at events (parades, home shows) to mention some of the duties.

Becoming a Red Cross volunteer starts with a phone call (843-477-0020) to arrange an interview. The process includes a background check.

The Coastal S.C. Chapter covers Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties. Eight disaster teams are located throughout the three counties, Anderson says. Team leaders are the first volunteers to be called to respond to a home fire, for example. Helping families after residential fires (three last week, 35 since July 1) is one of the Coastal S.C. Chapter's major activities, along with emergency communications for military personnel and families.

Emergency response volunteers have been trained in specific areas such as disaster assessment and using the Erv. Anderson says volunteers are needed for the three-county response teams, especially in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and in Georgetown and Williamsburg counties.

Anderson notes that the volunteers in Georgia are acquiring "more skills and experience if it happens here. It's a good training opportunity." In March, volunteers from here went to Aiken and Columbia after tornadoes, and in April workers from other areas helped in the North Myrtle Beach wildfires.

All Red Cross volunteers start with basic training, Anderson says. It's eight hours, in one day, including an overview of the Red Cross, shelter operations and basic care for large numbers of people.

Anderson says the initial training may guide volunteers into specific areas in which they have an interest. Overall, the Coastal S.C. Chapter has 364 volunteers who do a variety of chores as office assistants, in health and safety and at events (parades, home shows) to mention some of the duties.

Becoming a Red Cross volunteer starts with a phone call (843-477-0020) to arrange an interview. The process includes a background check.