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Ottawa County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
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Every year, the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters nationwide—that’s nearly 200 times a day. The vast majority of these disasters are single family and apartment home fires. Our chapter alone assisted more than 300 victims of fires and floods here in our community in the last year, while also providing canteen services to fire and police departments and being the eyes and the ears of EMS and central dispatch on the streets during Tulip Time, the Coast Gaurd Festival and the Civil War Reenactment at Van Raalte Farms.
Most people know the Red Cross for our response to the larger disasters—the hurricanes, floods and wildfires that grab the headlines—but we must be ready for every disaster, regardless of its size or the media attention it attracts. We put systems and plans into place to deal with disasters before they happen by partnering with local, state and federal governments; community organizations; and individuals and corporate supporters to provide emergency shelter, food, health and mental health services and resources and referrals to aid in recovery.
Our disaster assistance is free, 24 hours each day, 365 days a year. The services of our chapter are made possible by contributions of people, businesses and organizations based here in our community. Accepting no assistance from the U.S. Government, any Gifts to the Disaster Relief Fund make it possible for us to shelter, feed, clothe and counsel victims of disasters, from single family house fires to catastrophic natural disasters affecting thousands of people. The Disaster Relief Fund gives hope to many people who may have nothing else left.
If you have experienced a disaster and need assistance, please call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (616) 396-6545.
For more information, please contact:
Michael Kucharski
Emergency Services Director
(616) 396-6545 ext. 14
mkucharski@ottawaredcross.org
Disaster Action Team (DAT) Volunteers - Local Disaster Services
What we do: assist the residents of Ottawa County to prepare for, respond to, and cope with emergency needs due to a disaster. How we provide these services: trained disaster volunteers meet with the clients and provide vouchers for food, clothing and/or shelter; and network the client with other community resources. What a chapter disaster worker does: become certified in disaster training classes, work with the Disaster Action Team, join the Disaster Committee and/or work on the annual Disaster Drill committee. Be a good listener and bring a friendly smile to someone in distress.
Disaster Action Team: provides on-site relief to families displaced from their homes due to a residential fire or severe storm damage. If the family does not have alternate housing the Red Cross will provide motel accommodations for 2 or 3 nights. Provide a voucher for groceries or restaurant meals. Provide a voucher for clothing and shoes if needed. Provide a voucher for prescription drugs immediately needed such as insulin, heart medications, etc. Network the family with the local Love, Inc. office in their community for additional needs.
Community Resource Volunteer: volunteer to assist the DAT in your community, help plan the annual drill, provide information at school programs and/or info booths/fairs and recruit new volunteers.
Training requirements:
Intro to Disaster Services
Damage Assessment I
Mass Care an Overview
Emergency Assistance to Families
DAT Orientation (Local)
Adult CPR/AED; Child & Infant CPR; First Aid
National Disaster Response (DSHR)
Disaster Services Human Resources is the registry for volunteers responding to a call-up of trained disaster volunteers on the site of a disaster anywhere in the United States. An assignment is generally expected to be three weeks in your elected function or area of expertise. The national Red Cross would provide you travel and maintenance while on the job and your sponsoring chapter will provide a cash advance for ground transportation, meals, and out of pocket expenses while on assignment. You will be required to complete and accounting voucher of expenses before clearing the job.
Health requirements:
Affirmation of current good health
Medical history as to any chronic conditions within the past year and a physician's release if applicable
Personal Statement of Understanding:
Understanding of job conditions - physical and mental
Ability to comply with Red Cross policies
Ability to work with diverse populations and/or cultures
International Disaster Response Unit
Preparing for International Relief Eligibility: Preparing for international relief work begins by gaining local experience. American Red Cross relief workers respond to disasters of all types and sizes from those that affect a single family (such as a house fire) to large-scale disasters that affect an entire state or region (such as a hurricane). American Red Cross chapters offer free disaster response training and the opportunity to help local disaster victims as well as those outside your community. While American Red Cross domestic relief work differs from our international disaster response, volunteering for domestic disaster relief provides an understanding of the American Red Cross mission, vision and principles that provides a strong foundation for international relief work. The American Red Cross also provides four International Services courses that provide an understanding of its international role and are required for international relief workers: Orientation to International Services, International Relief and Development, International Humanitarian Law and International Social Services.
Requirements / Expectations: To be eligible for overseas disaster assignments, you must first apply for, then complete a week-long training and become a member of the International Response Team. This specialized training exposes participants to the work and environment encountered on an international disaster. This training is usually offered twice a year in the fall and in the spring. Participants learn how to complete assessments, analysis and service delivery plans with efficiency and concern for cultural differences.
American Red Cross International Response Team members possess a spectrum of experiences and expertise that begin with a local Red Cross chapter. Some requirements and expectations of team members include:
extensive domestic/international disaster relief operations experience.
training and education in disaster relief principles and industry standards.
experience with assessments, monitoring, evaluation and analysis (preferred).
experience working or living outside of the United States.
language proficiency in French or Spanish (preferred).
In addition, an eligible team member must:
be in good health and be willing and able to endure long work hours under hardship conditions.
have a valid civilian passport, appropriate immunizations and a World Health Organization (WHO) immunization card.
be able to travel within 24 hours and accept assignments of unknown duration.
be flexible and adaptable.
have intermediate to advanced computer skills.
Members of the International Response Team are experts in a number of disciplines: public health, logistics, press relations, family linking, water and sanitation, and disaster mental health. Those interested in applying for the team should be knowledgeable in one of the above areas or have extensive disaster management knowledge in addition to experience working overseas in the developing world for extended periods of time.
How Can I Help If I Can't Go Overseas?
A financial donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund reaches victims of disasters worldwide. To make a financial contribution, logon to http://www.redcross.org/ or call 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 in Spanish. Disasters affect people daily. The American Red Cross relies on local volunteers to help victims of fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters. Helping those closest to your home helps to ensure that together we can help families in their most desperate time of need.