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American Red Cross of Greater Columbus Disaster Services

Disaster Services at ARCGC is comprised of two primary components: relief for victims of local disasters and preparedness for major disasters.  While most hear about and are aware of the level of direct relief the Red Cross provides for victims of local disasters, our efforts to prepare our community – all 1.1+ million citizens – respond effectively and alleviate the human suffering that will emanate from a major natural or man-made disaster requires the majority of our resources. 

When most people think of disasters they think of the “headline grabbers” such as hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes.  In truth, the most common and deadly disaster across America and in our community is the home fire.  Disasters strike every day in our community and when they do they can devastate a family.  While most of these “silent” disasters don’t get noticed like major disasters, their unwanted impact on individuals and families is just as tragic.  This is why relief for local disaster victims is a top priority for the ARCGC and it’s what motivates our volunteers to get the scene of every local fire right behind the firefighters. 

Whether a disaster affects one family or hundreds of families, the goal of ARCGC disaster relief services is to make sure affected families have their emergency disaster-caused needs met according to American Red Cross policies and standards. 

ARCGC Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers respond immediately, day or night, when alerted by the fire departments or contacted directly by the victims, to help families affected by a home or apartment fire.  On average, Red Cross DAT volunteers assist more than 500 local families each year.  While the firefighters are busy fighting the fire, DAT volunteers provide support and aid to the families by focusing on meeting the disaster-caused emergency needs. 

Once on the scene, we make sure that the victims have a safe place to stay and begin the relief process, which may include health or mental health services and financial assistance as needed for food, clothing, medical supplies, prescription drug replacement, essential household items, rent and other basic necessities.  Sadly, sometimes this also includes covering funeral expenses.  The financial assistance program alone costs the organization more than $250,000 each year.  Some families require assistance as a bridge to insurance coverage and many other local victims are renters who lack coverage or other options.  While disaster victims appreciate the financial support and counseling, many tell us later that it was the arrival of the Red Cross volunteers that really gave them hope while they watched all their possessions go up in flames.

The Red Cross also provides referrals to other organizations or government agencies who are prepared to assist.  All Red Cross disaster relief assistance is free and based on the premise that disaster victims are ultimately responsible for their own recovery – Red Cross staff and volunteers are trained to help families reestablish normal living patterns as soon as possible.  

In order to provide relief to disaster victims at any time and on any scale, ARCGC must be well prepared.  This means building capacity to ensure an effective community response and educating citizens to avoid becoming victims and cope effectively when disasters can’t be avoided.  ARCGC builds capacity by coordinating activities, frequently described in formal agreements, with emergency management officials at every level.  We recruit, train, develop and deploy volunteers and paid staff to lead and deliver effective relief.  To date, ARCGC has 225 active disaster volunteers.  We acquire resources, such as vehicles; shelter supplies such as blankets, cots; clean-up and comfort kits; and maintain a network of evacuation shelters and communication equipment to support effective response. 

Currently, we maintain more than 100 external relationships with government, non-profit, community, and faith-based organizations and businesses. 

The Red Cross must develop and uphold effective hazard-specific written plans describing, in detail, effective response procedures.  Also, ARCGC must develop and participate in disaster drills and simulations. 

Our goal for disaster relief services is that all of our clients have 100 percent of their disaster-caused needs met within 30 days.  Our disaster preparedness goal is to be able to initiate and sustain a disaster relief operation that affects 600 families. 

By investing in our disaster program, you are not only helping to ensure an immediate response to major disasters, but also providing bedrock funding for the disaster relief program of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus. Over the past four years, as the chart below illustrates, the ARCGC has assisted 2,012 families affected by 1,354 disasters – primarily house fires. With the same assistance program provided to victims of major disasters – food, shelter, clothing, health services, and other essentials, these families have received $1,031,000 in direct financial assistance.

American Red Cross of Greater Columbus

Disaster Relief Services FY02 – FY05

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For more information call Michele Cenci, Director of Financial Development, at (614) 253-2740 ext. 2318 or send an email.

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