Preparing for next time

When the now-extinguished Valley fire broke out in Japatul on Sept. 5, the American Red Cross opened a temporary evac­uation point at Steel Canyon High School in Spring Valley as well as one at Joan MacQueen Middle School in Alpine that was later transitioned to El Cap­itan High School in Lakeside.

Only trained volunteers were allowed to assist at the sites, leading to some miscommunica­tion with East County residents who were turned away, includ­ing volunteers from Alpine Ki­wanis.

American Red Cross Interim Regional Communications Di­rector Christine Welch has since said it is important for anyone wanting to volunteer at evacuation sites in the future to train now to be a Red Cross shel­ter volunteer.

“During and after large di­sasters, the Red Cross first de­pends on pre-trained volunteers to assist people in need. That’s why we encourage people to get training now, before the next wildfire or other disaster, so they will be trained and ready to respond when the time comes,” Welch said.

The Valley fire resulted in 468 individuals evacuated; the Red Cross provided more than 1,679 individual overnight stays in 637 hotel room nights, Welch said. She also said officials reg­ularly visited the evacuation points and provided updates to the evacuees with the help of volunteers.

More than 90% of the Ameri­can Red Cross workforce con­sists of volunteers, Welch said.

According to Welch, the most urgently needed volunteer posi­tions are listed at redcross.org/ volunteertoday with similar content available in Spanish at cruzrojaamericana.org

For example, information on how to volunteer as a shelter service associate in a Red Cross shelter before, during and after a disaster event can be found through the site along with ba­sic information for each volun­teer position such as how long shifts typically last, whether the volunteer is expected to lift or carry anything, if driving is involved and other require­ments.

Senior Disaster program manager Dave Maloney said at a June 26 telebriefing that evacuations will look different while distancing efforts are be­ing made to restrict the spread of COVID-19.

Speaking theoretically at the time about a potential emergency situation involv­ing temporary shelter evacua­tions, Maloney said they would be “increasing the square foot­age where people are assigned, leaving a minimum of six feet between cots, providing single-serve meals from restaurants and using increased sanitization measures”.

The non-profit is also seek­ing volunteers who can support health services including nurs­es, paramedics, nurse practitio­ners, doctors and physician’s as­sistants who hold an active, cur­rent and unencumbered license.

Although Welch said in an email there is a high-priority need for transportation special­ists to help deliver blood from Red Cross facilities to local hos­pitals, the full list of volunteer positions extends from admin strative roles to youth volunteer positions for 13 to 18-year olds to grant writing for the non-profit organization.

“During disasters like the re­cent Valley Fire, the Red Cross is able to mobilize and immedi­ately provide safe shelter, meals, health services, emotional sup­port, spiritual care and much more thanks to the dedication of compassionate volunteers who have a heart to serve their com­munity,” Welch said.