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Jefferson City - 1-866-815-2738 Callaway County - 573-642-3776 Lake Area - 573-346-5006 Phelps-Pulaski Counties - 573-364-3947 Ft Leonard Wood - 573-596-0300 (For more information, click on the office nearest you.)
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American Red Cross Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations
This Page hosted by: Be Red Cross Ready
See How the American Red Cross
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Disaster Services Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, however in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to "carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same." The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support its work with their donations. Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs by providing shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently. During our response the Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources. Disaster Services is not only responding to disasters though. The American Red Cross also works through the Disaster Services Program to provide education on how to be prepared for disasters, not only at home but also at work and school and how to inform people about disaster safety. All Red Cross assistance is free and made possible by donations from the American people. Services Provided to People Affected by a Disaster Sheltering and Feeding After a disaster strikes, the American Red Cross provides those affected with many different services. One of the services offered is sheltering victims after a disaster. The American Red Cross opens shelters for those who may have lost their home due to a disaster or were asked to evacuate for an impending disaster. These shelters offer safe lodging, meals and snacks to those affected along with the emergency workers within the impacted areas. Individual and Family Assistance Trained Red Cross interviewers meet one-on-one with individuals and families to determine their disaster-caused needs. These short-term needs may consist of food, clothing, or shelter. Following Red Cross standards, family service workers begin to meet the needs of disaster victims. These standards allow the American Red Cross to provide assistance in an equal and consistent manner to all its clients. The Red Cross also works with other resources in the community and government to further assist the client with long term recovery needs. Disaster Health and Mental Health Services When a disaster strikes the American Red Cross assists in meeting the clients physical and emotional health needs. This could be a nurse at the shelter assisting with minor cuts and bruises, or meeting an individuals more complex health needs. Health workers also accompany outreach teams on home visits to ensure clients health needs are met. Red Cross Disaster Mental Health workers assist with the emotional needs of those affected by the disaster. Our health and mental health services are not just for our clients but also serve our volunteers and any emergency response workers responding to disasters. Contacting Family Within A Disaster Area After a disaster strikes, family members may be cut off from normal communication with other family members. The American Red Cross responds to inquires about the health and well-being of individuals and families within a disaster area. You can do this either by phone or by email. A good way for family members to communicate following a disaster is via our Safe and Well website. Click here. Talk to your family about this website so everyone knows to go there and register following a disaster. How Can You Help
For more information on how you and your family can be more prepared, please visit our friends and partners below. Missouri State Government Home Page State of Missouri - State Emergency Management Agency National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster (NVOAD) Federal Emergency Management Agency Search & Rescue Council of Missouri National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) 1999 National Hydrologic Assessment (NHA) Fire and Rescue Training Courses offered through Missouri University National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO) Greater St. Louis Bi-State Disaster Medical Assistance Team
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ewhite@redcross-capitalarea.org
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