Within the last five years, the American Red Cross has significantly augmented service and supply efforts nationwide. In order to better anticipate and address the needs of disaster victims, the Red Cross increased the amount of Disaster Field Supply Center space by more than 500 percent to 1 million square feet. Disaster Field Supply facilities typically provide ample space for large-scale disaster supplies.
After experiencing the intense demand for supplies and support following Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the American Red Cross decided to strategically station eight Disaster Field Supply Centers throughout the country. The national American Red Cross organization did not hesitate to select Henrico County as the newest site for a Disaster Field Supply Center. The Greater Richmond Chapter of the Red Cross and its close proximity to high-risk areas, major highways, airports and railways factored in the decision.Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Neal Denton, vice president of government relations and public policy for the American Red Cross, Granville Valentine III, interim CEO of the Greater Richmond Chapter and Dr. Percy Wooton, chair of the chapter’s Board of Directors attended the grand opening of the new facility. “I feel good about the state of our plans,” said Kaine, a longtime Red Cross volunteer. “We’re preparing for problems and praying that there won’t be problems at the same time.”
The Henrico County Disaster Field Supply Center, located at 4300 Carolina Avenue, houses enough supplies and equipment to sustain half a million people for three days. These supplies include cots, blankets, coolers, tarps, food, generators and food service supplies. Formerly an IRS document storage site, the center offers 220,000 square feet of supply space. The Henrico Disaster Field Supply Center aims to provide enough space for storage of bulk donations and purchases for Virginia victims. It must also serve as an operational command center for National Headquarters personnel in the event of a regional disaster. Existing as one of only eight Disaster Field Supply Center sites in the United States, the Henrico center’s purpose is to serve as a disaster relief resource for a large portion of the East Coast region. The other Disaster Field Supply Center locations around the country are Rochester, NY; Orlando, FL; Hattiesburg, MS; Reno, NV; Pine Bluff, AR; Atlanta, GA; and St. Louis, MO. The Henrico facility, similar to the other centers, is strategically located in an area at high risk for disaster impact. Twenty-four-hour accessibility for rapid activation and movement of supplies was a critical requirement for the site. Security for inventory, availability of paid and volunteer staff, electrical and telephone services and ample parking on site were also essential factors in the decision to locate the facility in Henrico County.
In addition to the technical and logistical capabilities of the Henrico Center, the Red Cross felt confident that the Greater Richmond Chapter of the Red Cross was
up for the challenges involved with maintaining and supporting the new Disaster Field Supply Center. Serving numerous times as a headquarter location for hurricanes, the Greater Richmond Chapter of the Red Cross was prepared to support the new center. “The Greater Richmond Chapter of the Red Cross was honored and proud to have our jurisdiction selected for the Center location. Our national offices know that the Greater Richmond Chapter is one of the best disaster-prepared and trained chapters in the nation. We currently have about 450 trained volunteers who can respond on a moment’s notice. We rehearse emergency drills throughout the year…our volunteers are exceptionally well trained,” said Bill Harrison, vice president of public relations and spokesman for the Greater Richmond Red Cross. Harrison went on to explain how, from the first day that trucks begin delivering supplies to the Center, Richmond workers enthusiastically came together to take on the massive task of stocking inventory.
The Henrico County area is no stranger to the demands and effects of natural disasters. Typically, when a disaster heavily impacts an area, the Red Cross sends workers from around the country to assist designated areas. However, during the flooding and aftermath of Tropical Storm Gaston, the Greater Richmond Red Cross was able to coordinate the response without national aid. The Richmond area also demonstrated its capabilities in the aftermath of Katrina. “Following Katrina, our chapter helped about 1,000 evacuees with emergency needs. It is examples like this and Gaston that enabled our national office to feel comfortable in assigning the center to us,” explained Harrison.
Before the national organization assumes management at the new center, Rick Russell, vice president of program operations for the Greater Richmond Chapter, will oversee the day-to-day operations. “We will hire one full- time paid warehouse manager, but all other work will be done by volunteers. The use of volunteers is a major reason why the American Red Cross can supply free disaster assistance,” added Harrison. Furthermore, the Greater Richmond Red Cross publicized the presence and impact of the new Center through local media and donor communications.
The Greater Richmond Chapter boasts some of the best disaster teams in America. With strong financial footing and an even stronger donor/volunteer base and Board of Directors. In 2005 alone, the Richmond Chapter taught over 36,000 people how to save lives, made over 8,000 free trips to life- sustaining medical appointments, reached 3,300 people through multicultural trainings and assisted 557 new military recruits and 16 local military families. “We have two female volunteers who are experts in driving forklifts. Not long ago neither of them had ever even been behind the wheel of a forklift,” said Harrison.
Overall, the Richmond/Henrico community, volunteers and staff are what create the awareness and support necessary to manage the new Red Cross Disaster Field Supply Center. The American Red Cross has been providing assistance to victims of disasters since Clara Barton founded the organization in 1881. Although the perils and threats of disasters have since changed dramatically, the mission of the American Red Cross remains the same: to provide relief to victims of disasters and to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Communities and volunteers continue to define the American Red Cross and, with the support of the Greater Richmond Chapter and community as a whole, the new Henrico Disaster Field Supply Center intends to carry that mission into the future. Governor Kaine said, “This effort represents the very best of thinking by the Red Cross and takes the lessons learned and improves the way we serve.”
