The Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross completed a significant test this week of its ability to handle a disaster that might affect communities in Union and Anson Counties.

The American Red Cross sent a team of national facilitators to visit the local Red Cross unit for three days to facilitate a disaster exercise simulating a flood taking place that could leave as many as 50 families homeless. The exercise, called a Chapter Disaster Readiness Exercise and Evaluation, is part of the Red Cross’ on-going initiative of readiness assessments in local Red Cross units. The assessments measure their ability to respond to disasters in their own local areas as well as to support major national incidents such as hurricanes, wildfires and earthquakes.

“This exercise was designed to give the Union County Red Cross an opportunity to look at their own disaster program and test the skills of their disaster leadership in a no-fault environment” said Gregory Smith, one of the national facilitators visiting Monroe this week. He went on to say “it allows them to evaluate their own strengths and shortfalls and develop a plan to raise their readiness level even higher.”

The three day on-site phase of the evaluation is one part of an extensive look at the Union County Red Cross disaster program that began several months ago. The evaluation examines the local chapter’s written plans, the number of trained volunteers they have ready to respond to disasters and the material resources they would use during an incident such as blankets and cots. It also tests the 24 hour a day system they have in place to initiate a response to anything in the area from a single family disaster such as a house fire up to the most unimaginable disaster.

“The Union County Chapter performed extremely well during the exercise this week and through-out the entire evaluation” said national evaluator, Karyn Yaussy. “The residents of Union and Anson Counties should be very proud of their Red Cross and their proven ability to respond to disasters. Their training and experience shows this team is ready.”

“We have a dedicated cadre of Red Cross disaster volunteers and trained staff who partner with other Union County entities to lead our community during a disaster,” reports Kathy Bragg, executive director. “We are extremely proud of this team’s performance during this drill and appreciate their dedication to Red Cross response in Union County.”

Whether it’s a single family house fire or a multi-family event, the Union County Red Cross is ready to respond. In the past few months, the Red Cross has responded to a rash of house fires, exceeding their direct response budget by 170% for this time of year.

Information about the Union County Red Cross disaster program, how to volunteer or any of its programs and services is available by calling the chapter at 704-283-7402. Additionally, you can make a gift to the Union County chapter or designate your gift to local disaster relief by calling 704-283-7402, online at www.unioncountyredcross.org, or mailing a gift to 608 E Franklin Street, Monroe, NC 28112.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest U.S. supplier of blood and blood products. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

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