Back from Deployment 691-26. American Red Cross -- Milwaukee Flood

As I joined my normal coffee group upon returning the entire table said -- "so, tell us about it."

And it is almost never possible to explain all the things that make these deployments one of the most satisfying activities I have engaged in over my career. And when I tell a story about mopping up someone's vomit or having to call 9-1-1 for a person having a health crisis it just does not sound like "fun" of fulfilment, yet the whole is definitely when you add in all the parts.  So, if you read anything that piques your interest I hope you will call 600-RedCross and ask what it takes to being the volunteer process. And when you do, know that people who volunteer to man the shelters or provide the feeding are the unsung heros of the disaster recovery. 

My job on this deployment was as Night Shift Supervisor - 7 pm to 7 am.  I think our team got to the shelter each day by 6, and some days earlier.  We were always anxious to hear about how their day passed and what issues we might want to look out for overnight.  Those shift hand offs were always valuable.

For purposes of making long stories short in this blog I will just bullet point some thing I saw and some of the amazing givers who made the things happen. Know that when you have a shelter situation with nearly 50 residents the number of little things and big things quickly seem to become the regular daily living.

• There was a new mother with a month-old daughter in the shelter.  Several of the shelter workers would spend some time helping to hold and rock the small new person to give her mother breaks through the day. 
• At the end of lunch and at the end of dinner the feeding guys woul ensure they packed up some meals for those people we knew were working and would not be getting back to the shelter until late.  And those same feeding guys were plating meals that came from a local university for residents who were in the shelter. 
• We had a multi-stall portable shower that was turned on twice each day for a couple of hours each time.  And these showers were a much appreciated perk, since it had taken a few days after the flood disaster for those showers to get to the shelter.  And, a one of the jobs done several times a day was ensuring those showers were clean.
• And you could set your apple watch by the seven year old who came out to the front every night asking if it was "nak" time yet.  His timing was nearly spot on.  
• As days progressed and the shelter experience began wearing down residents they were often bolstered when the Shelter Resident team was able to tell them they had a strong possiblity of a new place to live that they would be able to check out.
• And at other times the lift would come from shelter workers, feeding workers. health service workers or other Red Crossers who came in having one-to-one conversations -- sometimes on crucial subjects but more often on how they were doing, what they were hoping -- you know, the same kinds of things you might discuss over your coffee shop coffee.
• a major role of the shelter workers and what makes them among the heros of the disaster relief operation is that help establish a normalcy that gives a feeling of security and HOPE.

This post is probably already too long but for the next one, I want to discuss how interesting those who are the volunteers make this experience so valuable for their colleagues in our two weeks or longer together on the DRO committment.

Rememb er 1-800-RedCross or send me an email at dpuffer@gmail.com and I will help you get started on the volunteer process.  It is so amazing to know that you can make even a little difference when somone is at one of the lowest points of their life.

What follows is the message to volunteers from the last director of the operation so you can have a sense of the appreciation the Red Cross does have for its volunteer work force.

This is the final note to volunteers from the Incident Action Plan -- 

Director's Intent/Message

 Hello Team, For the last two weeks I have had the honor and privilege to be your job director on this operation.

I have not only seen but have heard about the tremendous collaboration between the local volunteers and deployed staff. When this disaster happened the local and regional volunteers and staff answered the call and took care of our clients.

Thanks to everyone’s tremendous efforts we provided 1,500 shelter stays, delivered almost 4,000 meals, and 8,600 snacks. DES gave out 3,000 cleanup kits and nearly 16,000 other items.

 Thank you is a short little statement; however, it conveys so much. To those that toiled in their backyard. To those that travelled from afar. To our virtual teammates, who were an indispensable force multiplier. Thank you! To all of you.

 Please get some rest and enjoy some time off with your family and friends. We will see you on the next one. For there will always be, the next one.

 Mike Green Job Director 

Mission first, Service above Self