Red Cross Launches Statewide Disaster Drill
Posted/updated on: February 23, 2011 at 1:22 pm
TYLER Tyler is among the participants as 23 Texas Red Cross chapters join forces Saturday for the American Red Crosss first-ever Statewide Disaster Drill. The chapters will simultaneously test their ability to respond to a simulated devastating tornado outbreak. The Mexican Red Cross will also participate in the drill from the San Antonio area. Officials point out that hurricanes, wildfires, thunderstorms, and, tornadoes are all common occurrences across the state. According to a Red Cross news release, Thats why its imperative that the American Red Cross, an organization responsible for bringing comfort to Mother Natures victims, is as prepared as possible in advance of any unexpected event.
The role of the more than 600 disaster assessment volunteers will be to determine the types of residential damage caused by the mock tornado outbreak. Throughout the statewide exercise, volunteers will approach specific pre-selected neighborhoods. On stakes that will be inserted into the ground, the volunteer will have a visual image of a home that has been impacted. They will have to determine the type of damage and then relay that information back to Red Cross and to FEMA Region VI officials. This important step is the catalyst to all Red Cross services, according to the news release.
Its critical that we have an accurate assessment of impacted homes as quickly as possible, said Tammy Prater, executive director of the Smith County Chapter. That step tells us how many meals need to be prepared, how many volunteers need to be activated, how many shovels and rakes we need to have on hand and so much more. It drives the entire Red Cross response. In the Tyler area, volunteers will report to the Red Cross office located at 320 E. Rieck Rd, Tyler at 8:15am, participate in a briefing, and then hit the neighborhoods by 9:30am. The drill is expected to last until noon, followed by an after-action review from noon till 2:00pm.
Without question, this drill will help the Red Cross be better prepared for future disasters, said Mrs. Prater. We saw with Tropical Storm Hermine last year that disasters can and do affect the entire state. The more we train through exercises like this one, the more we can help our neighbors when they truly need us.
