14 Tips for Staying Safe When Returning Home After Flooding

American Red Cross Urges Residents to Take Caution As They Re-Enter the Flood Zone

In some areas, flood waters are starting to recede and people are starting to return to their homes. The American Red Cross urges safety and encourages people in affected areas to follow the advice of local authorities. If evacuated, return only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so.

Red Cross Disaster Assessment team member Tami Wright hands Bridgett Rushing, left, and Jennifer Claxton gloves at a home damaged by flooding, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, in Waverly, Tenn. Photo Credit: Wade Payne/American Red Cross

Here are a few important Red Cross safety steps to follow when returning home after the flood:

1. Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater. Leave children with a relative or friend while you conduct your first inspection of your home. The site may be unsafe, and seeing the damage firsthand may upset them even more and cause long-term effects.

2. Check the outside of your home before you enter. Look for loose power lines, broken or damaged gas lines, foundation cracks, missing support beams or other damage. If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water. Report them immediately to the power company.

3. Do not cut or walk past colored tape that was placed over doors or windows to mark damaged areas unless you have been told that it is safe to do so.

4. Take pictures of home damage, both of the structure and contents, for insurance purposes.

5. If power is out, use a flashlight. Do not use any open flame, including candles.

6. Sniff for gas. If you detect natural or propane gas, or hear a hissing noise, leave the property immediately and get far away from it. Call the fire department after you reach safety.

7. If you have a propane tank system, turn off all valves and contact a propane supplier to check the system before using.

8. Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.

9. Throw away items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This includes mattresses, carpeting, and toys.

10. Throw away food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters and mud.

11. If any gas or electrical appliances were flooded, don’t use them until they have been checked for safety.

12. Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. If the water is pumped out completely in a short period of time, pressure from water-saturated soil on the outside could cause basement walls to collapse.

13. Is your ceiling sagging? That means it got wet – which makes it heavy and dangerous. It will have to be replaced, so you can try to knock it down. Be careful: wear eye protection and a hard hat, use a long stick, and stand away from the damaged area. Poke holes in the ceiling starting from the outside of the bulge to let any water drain out slowly. Striking the center of the damaged area may cause the whole ceiling to collapse.

14. Is the floor sagging? It could collapse under your weight, so don’t walk there! Small sections that are sagging can be bridged by thick plywood panels or thick, strong boards that extend at least 8–12 inches on each side of the sagging area.

Additional information on flood safety can be found on redcross.org.

Letter from Northeast Tennessee Executive Director, Kalen Collins - Feburary 2019

Kalen Collins, Executive Director

Chapter Happenings 

ERV Celebration of Life Party
On January 17, 2019, the Northeast Tennessee team gathered to celebrate the life of our beloved Emergency Response Vehicle #2123. Everyone took the time to share their fond memories of canteening, deploying, feeding and so much more with the ERV. Although we are sad to see 2123 go, we know that she is on to a better place.

 

Valentine’s Tree
With their creativity, Angela Morris and Glenna Finco joined together to create our Valentine’s Day tree! “American Red Cross Volunteers don’t have more time they just have more heart!” Don’t forget to drop by and grab your Valentine’s Day treat from the tree!

Service to Armed Forces Spreading the Love
On January 30, 2019, the Northeast TN Service to the Armed Forces Team gathered for their first kick-off meeting 2019. Updates and new activities were shared, and the team gathered to make Valentine’s for Veterans! Many exciting things are happening for this line of service. If you are wanting to learn more about SAF, please contact SAF Lead, Greg White (greg.white@redcross.org).













Local Response
Responding to local home fires isn’t an unfamiliar area for Teresa Rhoton and Gene Egan. On January 30th, national dispatch reported a fire in the Northeast Tennessee area. After receiving the wrong address, they were finally able to locate the affected home. Once they were in the correct location, they also made certain to confirm the problem to validate that we could respond. Teresa and Gene went beyond the call of duty to ensure that our client was safe, by having lodging, clothing and food. Thank you, Teresa and Gene, for going above and beyond to serve the American Red Cross mission!

Northeast Tennessee: Volunteer and Training Opportunities - February 2019

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Disaster Action Team (DAT) Volunteers
Volunteers needed to respond to single-family fires.

Clerical Volunteers
Volunteers needed to assist with administrative tasks; including staffing the front desk, answering phone calls, and assisting with other day to day tasks.

Service to Armed Forces (SAF) Volunteers
Volunteers need to represent the Red Cross at community events, deliver birthday and holiday cards, assist with other military events as needed.

Hero Care Network Regional Caseworker/Follow Up Volunteer
Volunteers needed to ensure military families’ needs are met when faced with an emergency.
*If you or someone you know is interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Kalen Collins for more information (kalen.collins@redcross.org).


TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Introduction to Mapping Class
DATE:  02/11/2019
TIME:  10:00 AM
LOCATION: Red Cross NETN Office | 660 Eastern Star Road, Kingsport, TN 37663
INFORMATION:  Please contact Dawn Day for more information or to RSVP (dawn.day@redcross.org).

Integrated Care & Condolence Training
DATE: 02/15/2019
TIME:  12:00 PM-4:00 PM
LOCATION:  Knoxville, TN
INFORMATION: Please contact Dawn Day for more information or to RSVP (dawn.day@redcross.org).


REMINDERS
Don’t forget to download the “Volunteer Connection” mobile application and log your volunteer hours! This app is both Android and iOS compatible.

Northeast Tennessee: Upcoming Dates - February 2019

VOLUNTEER MEETINGS

All Volunteer Meeting
DATES:  03/14/2019; 04/04/2019; 05/02/2019
TIME:  12:00 PM-1:30 PM
LOCATION:  Red Cross NETN Office | 660 Eastern Star Road, Kingsport, TN 37663
INFORMATION:  Formal invitation to all volunteers will be distributed. Please note that the meeting for January has changed to 12:00 PM.

“Donut Forget”
DATES:  03/08/2019; 06/14/2019
TIME:  8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
LOCATION:  Red Cross NETN Office | 660 Eastern Star Road, Kingsport, TN 37663
INFORMATION:  This will be an opportunity for volunteers to enjoy coffee and donuts while logging volunteer hours and catching up on any trainings.


UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Color For A Cause
DATE:  03/12/2019
TIME:  5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
LOCATION:  Fort Henry Mall – 2101 Fort Henry Drive, Kingsport, TN 37664

Sound The Alarm, Save A Life. Signature Event
DATE:  04/27/2019
TIME:  8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
LOCATION:  Washington County, TN
INFORMATION:  Volunteers needed for this event; installers and educators. Please email Kalen Collins (kalen.collins@redcross.org) if you are interested in participating.

Sound The Alarm, Save A Life. Signature Event
ATE:  05/02/2019
TIME:  TBD
LOCATION:  Appointment Based Installs
INFORMATION:  Volunteers needed; installers and educators. Please email Kalen Collins (kalen.collins@redcross.org) if you are interested in participating.


NORTHEAST TN BLOOD DRIVES

02/14/2019 | 11:45 AM – 4:15 PM
University School | 68 Martha Culp Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37614
*Please sign up to donate at redcrossblood.org

Northeast Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight: Kathy Christian - February 2019

When asked what she does as a volunteer for the Red Cross, Kathy stated, “My mother always told me I was a great ‘Jack of all Trades’ – I guess that is what I do best for the Red Cross!” Kathy, who lives in Hawkins County, took disaster training around 10 years ago, when the office building was located on Wilcox. She was not able to begin volunteering right away, but several years later when there was a storm in Greene County she got her chance. She was working as an administrative assistant in the Greene County Red Cross office and was able to put her disaster training to work.

What does Kathy do as a volunteer? She indeed serves in a variety of capacities – on the Disaster Action Team responding to home fires, helping to obtain agreements for obtaining food from businesses during disasters, working in shelters, driving the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and volunteering in Disaster Spiritual Care.

Kathy has a husband, three children, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Kathy works with James Capital Management, the Kitchen of Hope, and in an administrative role with the Church Hill Medical Mission. Currently she is very busy with these positions and caring for her husband who has some temporary medical needs. Since she cannot volunteer as often as she would like, Kathy has recruited one of her daughters to respond to fire calls. Recruiting new volunteers is a vital role for current volunteers!

When Kathy was asked what advice she would give to new volunteers, she replied, “be open and willing to do anything. Be flexible, be a team player, and SMILE!" That is how Kathy qualified to be a “jack of all trades!”

There is always a need for additional volunteers with the local Red Cross. You can work in a variety of positions. Training is available for disaster and non-disaster positions. For more information on volunteering and training visit redcross.org. If you are a current volunteer, and would like additional information please contact Angela Morris by calling 423-765-4218 or emailing her at angela.morris@redcross.org

East Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight: Tom Steury - February 2019

Tom Steury moved from Denver, Colorado to Knoxville, Tennessee to be close to family.  Tom jumped in head first as a volunteer and is our Volunteer Services Engagement Lead for the East Tennessee Chapter.  Tom is working on how to convey the Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and what it means to the volunteer and the chapter.  Tom and the engagement team will call volunteers around their anniversary time with the Red Cross and discuss NPS and its value.  Tom also works with IT in the Chapter and supports the front desk staff.  Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons, collecting coins and stamps, and volunteering in the community. Thank you Tom!

What is your favorite word?
Cooperation

If you could try a profession that isn’t a current or past job, what would it be?
Astronaut

Other than East TN, where would you like to live and why?
Costa Rica, the weather is very nice with no hurricanes and the people are friendly.

What natural gift or talent do you wish you had?
Basketball skills: dribbling, shooting, rebounding

Who is your favorite musician?
The Beatles, Kenny G

What historical figure would you most like to meet and why?
Abraham Lincoln, I would like to understand the tribulations and how he came by his decisions with regard to the Civil War

What is your favorite color?
Blue

What do you love about volunteering at the Red Cross of East TN?
Opportunity to lead, meet new people, feel appreciated

Letter from East Tennessee Executive Director, Sharon Hudson - February 2019

Every day we rely on the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors to fulfill our mission. We recently received a mint condition donation of a Canteen Lady uniform and cap from the 1950s.

The American Red Cross Canteen has been providing service to the Armed Forces since its founding in 1917. The warm and friendly atmosphere of the canteen provisioned by the dedicated volunteer Canteen Ladies who staffed the facility, made it a home-away- from-home for the service men and women who frequented the commissary. The Canteen Ladies gave support and comfort to members of the armed forces and their families.

In December 2018, the daughter of a former Canteen Lady, Ms. Karen S. Johnson, donated the uniform and cap, including name tag and badges, worn by her mother Mrs. Evelyn “Sunny” Shaffer who served at the canteen in Scarsdale, NY from 1955-1959, to the East Tennessee chapter of the Red Cross in Knoxville, Tennessee.  In addition to helping active members of the armed forces at the canteen, Mrs. Shaffer also worked with retired service men and women, as well as actively recruited new volunteers for the Red Cross. We celebrate Mrs. Shaffer’s dedication and volunteer spirit.

Mrs. Shaffer’s uniform is currently on display at the Knoxville office along with two other uniforms that have been acquired from other volunteers. The staff of the East Tennessee chapter would like to thank Ms. Johnson for this very personal donation.

Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright - February 2019

January is the month of adjustment; some breathing deep time to get a grip on going forward in a new year. February starts putting it all into action. The first emphasis of this month is the heart. Hugs, kisses, flowers, things wrapped in red bows and boxes.

For the Southeast Tennessee chapter of the Red Cross, this is all translated into appreciation for engagement. As with all resolutions, there is no effective result without follow-through. Our volunteers reward us when the call goes out. They reward themselves in every effort they make for our Red Cross by being educated, informed and knowing their best place in the response team.

Our mission this month is to renew existing commitments and make new ones. I encourage our volunteers to learn something you don't know or brush up on the things you've already learned. The word UPDATE is used in almost every area of our lives in this time. This is one more very important place it applies to everything we do.

Find opportunities in online courses on EDGE, take a training class at the chapter, sign up for a disaster relief shift, learn more about other departments at Red Cross, or take a life-saving CPR course. Volunteer to serve where you previously have not.

Above all, recruit your friends, family members and co-workers to volunteer. Renew your engagement in this month of hearts.

Letter from Mid-West Tennessee Executive Director, David Hicks - February 2019

Happy February to all the Mid-West Tennessee chapter volunteers! I hope this newsletter article finds you well and you’re all having a good start to 2019. We’re especially thankful for our new volunteers who joined us back in January during our chapter recruiting push! I’ve enjoyed getting to know many of you. It’s been a pleasure to hear your background stories and what events led to you becoming members of the American Red Cross through our local chapter. You each bring numerous skills and resources to our chapter that we’ll be able to utilize in the months and years to come. I can’t wait to see what chapter accomplishments await us in the coming months that are a direct result of our newest volunteer recruits.

Speaking of new volunteers, we have been so fortunate to have three women serve as the front desk coverage for our chapter over the last several months. Pam Shumate has been a fixture for us for almost two years now and then were blessed to have Murla Williams join us for a few months. A new part-time job came calling for her and, although we grieved to see Murla leave, we knew the part-time opportunity was too good for her to pass up. And, how could we have ever known that another quality volunteer, Deborah Taylor, was waiting in the wings to join our team and help relieve our loss of Murla?

If you haven’t already had the chance to do so, please take a moment to drop by the office and welcome Deborah to our office team! She covers the front desk for us on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week and Pam still serves the chapter in that role every Thursday and Friday. They’re not only willing to be the voice and hostesses of our chapter office but they help make sure the chapter birthday and anniversary cards are distributed each month, assist me and Heather with various assignments, and even clean up the chapter building on occasion to make sure it’s presentable to the community and fellow volunteers during visits! To say we’re lucky to have them doesn’t event do it justice.

Letter from Heart of Tennessee Executive Director, Kathy Ferrell - February 2019

Heart of Tennessee Volunteers:

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”  William Shakespeare

This quote resonated with me this week. I do believe that we are incredibly fortunate to find our gifts and even more fortunate to share those gifts with others. This is what you collectively do with the American Red Cross, but also in so many other areas of your lives. You so generously share your most precious asset with us: your time. You roll up your sleeves and donate blood, giving the gift of life to our neighbors. You share your time to respond to serve our neighbors impacted by a disaster. You staff our front desk, making every person that enters our building feel engaged and comfortable. You help maintain our fleet. You assist us with events and record keeping. You walk in the front door and ask what you can do today to help the staff. I hope you know that we could not move our mission forward without each of you and the time you invest in this chapter.

With gratitude,

Kathy Ferrell

Executive Director, Heart of Tennessee Chapter

Letter from Tennessee River Executive Director, Katy Hagstrom - February 2019

Tennessee River volunteers,

I want to thank you for your incredible show of dedication and support thus far in 2019. It has been a busy start to the year and it is because of your selfless dedication that we have been able to continue to support our communities in times of need.

In terms of disaster response, our chapter opened 34 cases in January and as of February 6, 11 cases have already been opened in the month of February. That is a total of 45 cases in 37 days. From those cases, there have been several astounding stories in which clients expressed that without being alerted by their smoke alarm, they wouldn’t have made it out of their home. For that reason, I would like to encourage all of you as Red Cross representatives to talk with your family and friends about the importance of fire safety; having alarms, creating a fire escape route, having a meeting location, and practicing fire safety habits in their home.

Although it has been a busy season, we have many opportunities for training this month:

• Disaster Action Team (DAT) workshop February 12
• Basic instructors course February 16
• Disaster Assessment (DA) fundamentals February 19
• Casework fundamentals February 26

In addition, the month of February is American Heart Month. If you are not already trained or need to renew your CPR, First Aid, and AED certification, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit Redcross.org to sign up for a class through Training Services. There is no better feeling that knowing how to react when an emergency happens in front of you, being able to help someone, and putting your training into action.

As a volunteer, if you would like to be more engaged in our operations or learn about new opportunities, please contact:

John Price
Disaster Workforce Engagement
John.price@redcross.org

Red Cross Volunteer Saved by CPR and Use of AED; Encourages Others to Get Trained

February is National Heart Month and is a perfect time to learn how to perform CPR and use an AED in order to save lives. In an emergency, every second counts. This past December during the Nashville Christmas Parade, trained bystanders rushed to the aid of Wade Payne, a freelance photographer and Red Cross volunteer, as he experienced a heart attack.

Get to know Wade and his rescuers a bit better, and hear it from him!

How did you come to get involved with the Red Cross?
“A friend talked with me about it, who also does photography. I came to a meeting, liked everyone and they were nice!’

Which areas do you help in with the Red Cross?
“I was looking for a way to give back with the blessings I received. It was just a natural progression. I learned there is so much to do with the Red Cross.” Wade does photography for the Red Cross. It’s his main interest and feels he can help most when using the ability God gave him. Which Wade said is to “help promote through the visual aspect in showing what the Red Cross does. Many don’t know about things like Sound the Alarm and just how much they help people in disasters. If I can help save a life, then I’ll tell my story. It’s not about me. It’s about helping others.”

You have an incredible story of complete strangers saving your life! Can we hear it?
“When at a Christmas parade I went down, and a lady rushed in to help. She was about to go in the house, but for some reason decided to stay a bit longer. Then, an off-duty firefighter saw and took over for the woman to call 9-1-1. A minister quickly retrieved an AED and administered it.” As if that is not crazy enough with three complete strangers jumping in without hesitation, a doctor stepped right in and worked on him in the ambulance!

What advice or recommendation(s) would you give to a new volunteer?
“There are so many facets. There are things you can do beyond what you may go there for in the first place. It’s a real eye-opener. Definitely get trained in CPR. You may be the catalyst for getting people involved in an emergency situation.”

After all this, Wade believes there is a reason he is here and feels very blessed!

He said: “It’s moving to know that there’s good people who care about you and is praying for you, who don’t even know you.”

Wade was very grateful to meet the lady who took the first action, and broke what the Red Cross calls barriers to action. He is looking forward to soon meeting the off-duty firefighter too and hopes to meet his other heroes.

It is difficult to tell when one might use life-saving skills, but they sure come in handy. Sometimes being the first one to take action in an emergency can be scary, but being trained helps to alleviate some of that tension. If you would like to take life-saving classes such as CPR or AED, call your 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcross.org.

By Kelsie Angeletti, Red Cross volunteer

Regional Executive Corner with Joel R. Sullivan - February 2019

Share The Love!

I always consider February the month of love.  Valentine’s Day sits right in the middle of February and represents love in a large way by bringing people together.

While pondering Valentine’s Day this year, I could not help but reflect on the love and affection our volunteers show for the American Red Cross and the mission we serve.  Each and every day, your American Red Cross serves on multiple fronts.  Daily, you can find the Red Cross serving in all five lines of service.

- Multiple volunteers responding to home fires most every day of the year.
- Volunteers working to ensure families torn apart by war, famine and civil unrest are reconnected with their loved ones.
- Volunteers train classes on lifesaving skills such as CPR, AED and Babysitting.
- Our Service to the Armed Forces team of volunteers are consistently helping our service members with emergency communications that are critical to the family such as a death in the family or conversely, a birth of a new family member.
- Our blood services volunteers are hard at work assisting in the collection facilities serving snacks, helping put supplies together for blood drives and driving blood to hospitals with patients in need.

I love the fact that all of these services are provided to those who are in need by volunteers who have a passion for helping someone who is having a really bad day.

We have many other volunteers not mentioned above.  Those volunteers are the ones who donate the necessary funds and blood that keep these vital services alive and well.

Your American Red Cross is a home where people with the passion for helping others can join many others to get the job done.  These volunteers and donors are the ones who prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

I love supporting those who love to support our mission.  For those who already do, THANK YOU!  For those who are looking for a meaningful way to serve your community, I invite you to join us in this wonderful mission.  There are many ways to participate.  Everyone has an opportunity to serve at the American Red Cross.

Joel Sullivan

Nashville Area Volunteer Spotlight: David Donoho – February 2019

“How can I help somebody today?” That is the question David Donoho asks himself when he wakes up every morning. He has been a Red Cross volunteer for almost a year and also volunteers for The Little Pantry that Could. He is passionate about helping others, so volunteering was a good fit after he retired from his state government job where he worked for 45 years. His favorite part about being a volunteer is “just knowing that you’re out there helping folks, directly or indirectly.”

David volunteers for Red Cross disaster services in several areas including damage assessment, logistics, smoke alarm installations and the disaster action team. He plans to get his emergency response vehicle driver and supervisor certifications soon. He deployed to South Carolina and southwest Georgia last fall for a total of over three weeks to help with hurricane relief efforts through damage assessment.

In addition to volunteering with disaster services, he also recognizes the importance of donating blood and platelets. He started donating regularly in December. He encourages anyone who is eligible to donate to make an appointment to give blood. (You can make an appointment at redcrossblood.org.)

One of the most rewarding volunteer experiences for David is installing free smoke alarms and teaching families fire safety. He said, “The good thing about smoke alarm installations and giving blood is you’re being proactive. You don’t know how you’ll eventually affect that person’s life. You may potentially save someone’s life.”

As a part of the disaster action team, David volunteers for on-call shifts in case of a disaster, like a home fire. David and a volunteer partner will respond, often in early morning hours, to offer the affected family hope and immediate assistance.

When asked what advice he would give a new volunteer, David said, “Try a variety of things. People think of big things. Think of the small things.” Spend a few hours of your time installing smoke alarms, roll up your sleeve and give blood, or check out all the opportunities available online at redcross.org/volunteer.

Thank you, David, for making a difference in your community and helping others!