First Aid, CPR and AED Class on August 26, 2009

We still have openings for the First Aid, CPR and AED Class scheduled for August 26, 2009. The class will be held from 08:30am - 4:00pm at the Coastal Carolina Chapter in New Bern. Cost of the class is $60. For more information, please contact us at 252-637-3405.

Disaster Drill in Pamlico County

Grantsboro — On July 18, 2009 a trailer carrying a lethal chemical was struck by a car and released a chemical that caused the death of two individuals and sent others to the hospital. First responders from the county were dispatched to the scene but had to wait for personnel trained and equipped to handle hazardous materials. In the meantime they used a water spray to keep the chemical contained.

The American Red Cross (ARC) was there with their Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) providing hydration and food for the responders.

The above is a summary news article that might have appeared in a newspaper but also summarizes the events of the day.

Thanks to the volunteer base interested in feeding the ARC turn out was greater in comparison to the first responders. This was a remark relayed to me from Stanley Kite the Craven County Fire Marshal. Those that showed up received new vests (thanks to the Bate foundation.) We all had our “good guys” white hats on.

I had been led to believe that the event might be at or near the intersection of Rt. 55 and 306. That is the location of the only traffic light in Pamlico Community County. A little trivia for those who didn’t know. A conversation with a county commissioner the night before reinforced that belief. We had been told to be at the community college which would have been a logical “safe” area for rest and refreshment. I had actually visited the college the day before and there was nothing but empty parking lots. Just like going on a DR; we figured things would work out the next day but not without further modification.

The ARC set up a safe distance away from the scene. Tables, chairs, and a canopy were stationed to provide a rest area for the workers. It’s hard keeping up with what’s going on because the focus is on the important stuff of the incident.

Our first instructions were to pull up next to the curb and vapor fans. We should have taken a clue from the fans. They were not filled with water and they were not plugged in nor were there provisions to plug them in. Not noticing that, we set all our stuff up and planned to serve meals and refreshments from the ERV. It was hard figuring out what was going on but it soon became evident that this was an exercise and each element was taking its turn. So, we just kicked back and watched and waited. When was it going to be our turn? It wasn’t that hot and the liquids were going slow.

I had taken the Cambros to the Piggly Wiggly the day before and arranged for them to be picked up at 11:30 on Saturday. The food would still be at temperature at 1:00 when the meals were planned to be served but now it looked like things would wrap up before 1:00.

PLANS CHANGE, THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ADAPTS

If there is one thing we are good at it’s change. So, we felt as useful as the dummy fan misters we were next to. Food that was going to be served from the ERV at the sidewalk at 1pm was changed to a service building behind the college at 12:15am. We can do that. Kevin and Jennifer went after the food at 11:30 when the Piggly Wiggly said it would be ready and got it back just before 12am.

The Cambros never cease to amaze me. They keep food so hot for such a long period of time. We have come back from multi-hour runs and still find the food hot when we clean up. One thing was different here. An ARC kitchen did not prepare the food and therefore Cambro liners were not available. There may have been some in the ERV but they were there since last summer and I could not verify that they were sanitary. The staff at Piggly Wiggly just put the food in the Cambros after cleaning them. This is not usually done because the surface of the Cambro can be scratched with utensils and catch food particles that could lead to contamination.

With food in the ERV we moved to the new location behind the college. Our original plan was to plate the food into clamshells and pass them out through the ERV window to the First Responders. Assessing the situation I decided that we would serve the food cafeteria style inside the building. Tables and chairs had been set up and it seemed that it would be a better environment for all. Everything could be laid out on a couple of table tables and we could use more servers than we could in the ERV. Servers had personal interaction with the First Responders. This is similar to what is done when providing food to shelters. Most of the time food is plated in the ERV and passed out the window either to clients or shelter staff. On occasion, food containers are carried inside the shelter and served in there.

Authors: Tom and Ruth Ann McIvor, Dedicated Red Cross Disaster Volunteers

Attention Businesses and Civic Organizations in Carteret, Craven, Jones and Pamlico Counties

The Coastal Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross needs your help. We depend on donations from our local community to provide humanitarian services to our four county jurisdictions. The current economic situation has had a negative impact on our donations, in turn, this may have a direct effect on the services we provide to the community. Services include: Health, Safety, and Disaster Response and Services to the Armed Forces.

Your business or civic organization can make a positive impact in your community by holding a fundraising event for the Coastal Carolina Chapter.

Some fundraising ideas include:

- Hold a sports tournament (golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, etc. tournament) and encourage your clients and staff to participate.
- Sponsor a breakfast, lunch, or dinner for your clients and local residents.
- Include a line on your email signature that you support the Coastal Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross and provide a hyperlink to www.ccc-arc.org.
- Add our logo and a hyperlink from your website to ours.
- Place a secure donation container with a small opening on the receptionist’s desk or business countertop.
- Hold a garage sale by asking your community to donate items for the garage sale with proceeds going to the local Chapter of the Red Cross.
- Conduct a silent auction for the local Chapter of the Red Cross.

For more information about partnering with the Coastal Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross, please contact us at 252-637-3405 or email donation@ccc-arc.org . Thank you in advance for your participation.

Chapter Disaster Readiness Exercise & Evaluation

August 25th at St. Andrews Church there is Disaster Readiness Exercise & Evaluation (CDREE). The class is from 8:03 until about 4 PM.

Thank You Gray Ladies and Lads of the American Red Cross

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting the Thursday morning shift of the Gray Ladies and Lads of the American Red Cross at CarolinaEast Medical Center (previously known as Craven Regional Medical Center). The Gray Ladies have been caring for patients in Craven County since 1951. The Gray Lads joined the Ladies about ten years ago, together, they provide many important services to patients at the CarolinaEast Medical Center. They are the only civilian hospital based Gray Ladies and Lads group left in the state of North Carolina.

They transport patients; assist with patient admissions and discharges; run errands for the hospital staff; deliver newspapers, flowers, and mail to patients; help operate the information desk during staff shortages; and they even decorate the Medical Center during the holidays.

During my short visit, the phone rang many times and each time, a volunteer stood up to answer the requested service. They took turns for each request without any questions. One returned to the office, another left, the spirit of teamwork emulated throughout this small group. This was a true sign of camaraderie and a very healthy working environment.

If you’ve ever been a patient or visited the Medical Center, you may have been fortunate enough to receive the hospitality of these special volunteers donned in their blue smocks. They are a proud group of folks who really enjoy their work. When asked why they volunteer, responses varied from satisfaction in interacting with patients, visitors, and staff; the feeling of working together as a family; having fun; getting exercise; and a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. These are only a few things that motivate these hardworking volunteers.

These highly dedicated and motivated volunteers commit to working four hour shifts per week and 100 hours a year. Many of them work an average of 300 hours per year or more. There are also volunteers who fill in as substitutes to cover someone’s shift.

People may assume since the name of this exclusive group is “Gray Ladies and Lads” you must have gray hair to volunteer. That’s simply not true, those who are 18 years or older are welcome to join! Requirements to become a volunteer are attending an eight hour orientation and shadowing a Gray Lady or Lad for 20 hours. For more information about the Gray Ladies and Lads or to become a volunteer, please contact Ms. Jeanne Balaoing at 252-633-8127.

Thank you Gray Ladies and Lads of the American Red Cross for your hard work, dedication, and services you provide to our community, you really make a difference! Your precious time and effort is truly a measure of your character and kindness!