Red Cross Regional Disaster Coordination Center (RDCC) Open House

The following message was released on Facebook. Please consider joining us for this open house to see the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area RDCC in action for inauguration.

"American Red Cross' Celebrity Cabinet Member Leeza Gibbons Visits National Capital Area

American Red Cross of the National Capital Area welcomes American Red Cross’ Celebrity Cabinet member Leeza Gibbons to the Chapter Headquarters’ Regional Disaster Coordination Center (RDCC) on Monday, January 19, 2009 between 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Please RSVP by sending an email to moringn@redcrossnca.org (Subject “RSVP”) by 10 a.m. Sunday, January 18, 2009.

For more information, go to our Events page or click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=43643917295#/event.php?eid=43643917295"

American Red Cross of The National Capital Area Assists With The 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area has a very unique role in this community and country in that we partner with government agencies, non-profit partners and private organizations in supporting major events such as the inauguration. The DC Government requested the Red Cross' assistance to serve in a public safety capacity for the 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration. The Red Cross does not endorse political parties or candidates, however we maintain our mission in helping people regardless of their political, religious or cultural background. American Red Cross has a long-standing history partnering with public safety officials during large-scale events, and has been supporting presidential inaugurations since 1909.

For the Presidential Inauguration activities, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area is leading and coordinating the involvement of the four other Red Cross chapters in the National Capital Region.

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area serves as the Regional Chapter for the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, which consists of five Red Cross chapters in Alexandria, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Prince William and the National Capital Area, which includes District of Columbia, Montgomery County, Prince George's County and cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

Visit our website for the latest news, visitor resources and learn more about how the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region is assisting with the 2009 56th Presidential Inauguration: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.redcrossnca.org%2FEvents%2FInauguration.php

NWS Open House A Win Win for Community And Volunteers

Photo Source: Joshua Kinard

Several volunteers from local Citizen Corps Council organizations, American Red Cross of the National Capital Area and Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were on hand at the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office Open House.

Terry Akins, Judy Howell, Andrew Levy, Ian Sterne, and Margaret Fowke spoke about the value of these programs, how to prepare for a disaster, ways to volunteer, and training programs available to the public.

The weekend also provided the opportunity for the volunteers to see the operations of the forecast office. A couple of CERT members, including a current CERT student, also attended the Skywarn class that was offered during the open house.

Thank you to the NWS for providing the wind and cold front, and a special thanks for Margaret Fowke (NWS and Red Cross Volunteer) who provided a behind the scenes tour of the facility.

Red Cross Volunteers Recognized for Hurricane Response

The American Red Cross was recognized this morning by the Chairman at the local Board of Supervisors meeting during Emergency Preparedness Month Proclamation for their efforts during recent Hurricane Response.

Several articles of local Red Cross volunteer teams responding in our community and other areas across the United States can be found on the American Red Cross of the National Capital Region website. These are just some of the many volunteers that responded across the nation.

If you are interested in making a difference in your community, consider volunteering with the American Red Cross.

You never know when you may need their services.

Red Cross and Citizen Corps Council Team Up To Offer Free Mass Care and Shelter Operations Training

The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area and the Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council would like you to attend Mass Care Overview and Shelter Operations training that will be held:

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2008
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm (8:30am Registration/Sign-in)
Location: American Red Cross of the National Capital Area
2nd Floor Boardroom
8550 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22031

It’s FREE training.

Please email, Meirina Hutabarat, HutabaratM@redcrossnca.org or call 240.485.3022 if you are interested in attending this course. We need your name, your address and day-time phone number.

Mass Care Overview

Purpose

The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services training is to provide an overview of the activities performed by the Mass Care group in support of a disaster relief operation.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, participants will be able to—
• Describe the role of Mass Care workers on Red Cross disaster relief operations and services they provide.
• Explain how Mass Care workers deliver quality service to clients.
• Match their interests, abilities, and skills with those needed in each Mass Care group activity.
• Develop a plan of action for involvement in Mass Care activities at the local Red Cross chapter.

Shelter Operations

Purpose

The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services course is to prepare employees and volunteers of the Red Cross and other agencies to manage shelter operations effectively and sensitively as a team while meeting the needs of people displaced as a result of a disaster.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, participants will be able to–
• Describe the procedures for opening, operating and closing shelters.
• Explain ways to demonstrate quality service.
• Organize available human resources as a shelter operations team.
• Identify resources available to assist shelter workers.
• Organize the physical facility and material resources to meet the needs of the people in the shelter.