N.2.1.1. American Red Cross Liberty County Chapter

The Liberty County Chapter of the American Red Cross is located at I and 14th Streets in Central City. The chapter has four full-time and four part-time employees. All of the paid staff has been trained to respond to disasters by the chapter’s Emergency Services Director. The chapter also has a Disaster Committee, headed by a volunteer chairperson, who is assisted by vice-chairpersons for every major Red Cross disaster function, including damage assessment, mass care, family services, disaster health services, logistics, public information, and government liaison. During a disaster, The American Red Cross will provide a liaison to the county EOC.

The American Red Cross Regional Blood Center is located at the Liberty County Chapter.

N.2.1.1.1. Personnel

The chapter has approximately 100 volunteers who are trained to provide a variety of disaster relief services.


#	Personnel*	Function
6 Teams, (total 18 Persons)	Disaster Action Teams	Generally trained to provide assistance to those impacted by disasters through mass care and casework.
3	Shelter Managers, Type I	The Shelter Manager, Type I, is qualified to provide leadership, supervision, and administrative support for Long-Term/Mega-Shelters; Standard/Short–term, large population shelters; and Emergency Evacuation shelters.
2	Shelter Managers, Type II	The Shelter Manager, Type II, is qualified to provide supervision and administrative support for shorter duration shelter operations (e.g., an Emergency Evacuation or Standard/Short-Term shelter).
25	Shelter Workers	Trained shelter workers may be utilized in a variety of functions including client registration, dormitory management, and food service.
20	Mass Feeding Workers	Prepare and/or procure and serve meals and snacks for clients. Can be done through mobile or fixed sites.
10	Disaster Caseworkers	Provide resources and referrals to those affected by disasters.
10	Red Cross Volunteer Nurses	Can provide health care assistance as in a community health setting up to the limits of their license.

* Most Red Cross disaster personnel are cross-trained. For example, most mass feeding workers could also be mobilized as shelter workers.

Table N.5. American Red Cross, Liberty County Chapter Personnel

N.2.1.1.2. Vehicles

In addition to two chapter-owned sedans, the Liberty County Chapter has five (5) vehicles that may be used to support mass feeding operations for disaster survivors and rescue workers. In addition to the chapter’s Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), the chapter also has all the necessary supplies and equipment, such as insulated food and beverage containers, to utilize its four cargo vans for food service delivery.

Because Central City is considered a primary evacuation point for communities along the coast, the American Red Cross has also positioned one trailer with shelter support items (e.g., cots, blankets) and one trailer with feeding support items (e.g., insulated food carriers, serving supplies, etc.) in Central City. These units are stocked with the supplies needed to support sheltering or feeding capabilities up to the max capacity shown below.


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew*
1	Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Food Service Delivery Unit / Type II	Central City	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
4	Cargo Vans Food Service Delivery Unit / Type II	Central City	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 1 Worker
1	Trailer of Shelter Support Items	Central City	100 residents per day	N/A
1	Trailer of Feeding Support Items	Central City	1,500 meals a day	N/A

Notes:* Minimum crew per shift

Table N.6. American Red Cross, Liberty County Chapter Mobile Resources

N.2.1.1.3. Supplies

In addition to the resources listed above, the Liberty County chapter also stores a cache of disaster supplies at the Liberty International Airport where they have 24-hour-a-day access to them (see table below). The chapter also has pre-arranged purchase agreements with local vendors for food, rental vehicles, communications equipment (i.e., cellular phones) and other critical supplies. These vendor agreements are pre-established to expedite service delivery when needed in an emergency.


#	Description
10	Shelter Manager Kits (contains forms, signage, and other administrative tools)
500	Cots
500	Blankets
15	Insulated food containers (e.g., Cambros)
5	Insulated beverage containers (e.g., Cambros)

Table N.7. American Red Cross, Liberty County Chapter Supply Resources

N.2.1.2. American Red Cross, State of Columbia

Community chapters of The American Red Cross are present in most major cities of the State of Columbia. These chapters can provide surge support to the Liberty County Chapter in the event that a disaster exceeds the local chapter’s capacity.

In addition to providing disaster relief, American Red Cross chapters offer services in five other key areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing, and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.


Chapter	Location
Capital City Chapter	Capital City
Cass County Chapter	Triangle
Green County Chapter	Monroe
Kane County Chapter	Clifton
Metropolis Chapter	Metropolis
Redstone County Chapter	Brooksville
Tower Beach Chapter	Tower Beach

Table N.8. State of Columbia American Red Cross Chapters

* Counties that do not have a local American Red Cross in their jurisdiction are serviced by the nearest Red Cross chapter location.

N.2.1.2.1. Personnel

In addition to the Red Cross personnel in Liberty County, the other chapters of the American Red Cross are able to mobilize the following personnel collectively. These individuals represent a mixture of Red Cross professional staff and volunteers. All of these disaster workers have been trained and are considered qualified to fulfill their assigned functions.


#	Personnel*	Function
5	Shelter Managers, Type I	The Shelter Manager, Type I, is qualified to provide leadership, supervision, and administrative support for Long-Term/Mega-Shelters; Standard/Short term, large population shelters; and Emergency Evacuation shelters.
15	Shelter Managers, Type II	The Shelter Manager, Type II, is qualified to provide supervision and administrative support for shorter duration shelter operations (e.g., an Emergency Evacuation or Standard/Short-Term shelter).
200	Shelter Workers	Trained shelter workers may be utilized in a variety of functions including client registration, dormitory management, and food service.
150	Mass Feeding Workers	Prepare and/or procure and serve meals and snacks for clients. Can be done through mobile or fixed sites.
100	Disaster Caseworkers	Provide resources and referrals to those affected by disasters.
50	Volunteer Red Cross Nurses	Can provide health care assistance as in a community health setting up to the limits of their license.

* Most Red Cross disaster personnel are cross-trained. For example, most mass feeding workers could also be mobilized as shelter workers.

Table N.9. American Red Cross, State of Columbia Personnel

N.2.1.2.2. Vehicles

In addition to the equipment positioned in Liberty County, the American Red Cross has five additional Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) stationed in the State of Columbia. Each ERV can deliver up to 1,500 meals per day. The American Red Cross has also positioned two trailers with shelter support items and two trailers with feeding support items in the State.

An Emergency Communications Response Vehicle (ECRV) is stationed in Metropolis and can provide emergency communications links between disaster relief operations and the Red Cross National Headquarters or other critical locations. The ECRV has an 8.5KW alternator driven by the engine, a 52’ pop-up pneumatic mast capable of rotating while holding a large shortwave yagi antenna, a VSAT satellite antenna system, and sixteen HF, VHF, and UHF antennas feeding its radios and data systems.


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew*
1	Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Food Service Delivery Unit / Type II	Capital City	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
1	Shelter Support Trailer	Capital City	100 residents per day	N/A
1	Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Food Service Delivery Unit / Type II	Metropolis	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
1	Trailer of Shelter Support Items	Metropolis	100 residents per day	N/A
1	Trailer of Feeding Support Items	Metropolis	1,500 meals a day	N/A
1	Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Food Service Delivery Unit / Type II	Monroe	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
1	Trailer of Feeding Support Items	Monroe	1,500 meals a day	N/A
1	Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Food Service Delivery Unit / Type II	Tower Beach	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
1	Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Food Service Delivery Unit / Type II	Triangle	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers

Notes: * Minimum crew per shift
** Mobilization for American Red Cross units is 2–4 hours plus travel time

Table N.10. American Red Cross, State of Columbia Mobile Resources

N.2.1.2.3. Supplies

In cooperation with the Metropolis Chapter, the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross maintains a Disaster Field Supply Center (DFSC) in the city of Metropolis. The DFSC is a 75,000 sq. ft. regional warehouse facility that is stocked with critical disaster relief supplies.


#	Description
75,000	Shelter Manager Kits (contains forms, signage, and other administrative tools)
75,000	Cots
125,000	Blankets
100	Insulated food containers (e.g., Cambros)
25	Insulated beverage containers (e.g., Cambros)
10,000	Clean-up kits (supplies for cleaning up damaged property such as mops, bleach, etc.)
50,000	Comfort kits (toiletry items)

Table N.11. American Red Cross, Disaster Field Supply Center (DFSC) Resources

N.2.1.3. American Red Cross Safe and Well

After a disaster, the American Red Cross’s “Safe and Well” system helps individuals and families to voluntarily share information on their post-disaster well-being.

Disaster survivors can access the “Safe and Well” website at www.redcross.org and register themselves as “safe and well.” Using a list of standard messages, individuals can select information they want to communicate to family members and friends, letting them know of their well-being.

Concerned family and friends can also “search for loved ones” on the website by searching a list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well”. The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s first name, last name, and a brief message.

N.2.2.1. The Salvation Army Central City Corps

The Salvation Army Central City Corps maintains a building at W and 22nd Streets in Central City that houses its offices, a transient (homeless) lodge, and thrift store. The lodge has bed capacity for 40 single males, 15 single females, and 4 families. The lodge kitchen is capable of preparing 1,500 meals per day. The Salvation Army also operates a thrift store for donated items such as clothing, shoes, appliances, furniture, etc. that they will make available to disaster survivors on a case-by-case basis. Staff consists of two commissioned Salvation Army officers, 12 employees, and 20 trained disaster volunteers. During a disaster, The Salvation Army will provide a liaison to the county EOC.

The Salvation Army’s mobile kitchen unit (known as “canteen”) is a self-contained “kitchen-on-wheels” that can provide up to 1,500 meals; the two corps vans could also be used to deliver prepared meals. The Salvation Army will also provide emergency assistance and emotional and spiritual care after a disaster. They can also call on Salvation Army units from all over the Nation for additional support with staff and equipment. A national Memorandum of Understanding between The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross pledges mutual planning and cooperation during a disaster.


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew*
1	Central City Canteen Mobile Kitchen Unit / Type I	Central City	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
2	Cargo Vans Food Service Delivery Unit / Type II	Central City	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 1 Worker

Notes:* Minimum crew per shift

Table N.12. The Salvation Army, Liberty County Resources

N.2.2.2. The Salvation Army Columbia Division

The Salvation Army State headquarters is located in Capital City. In addition to the personnel in Central City, the organization includes 26 commissioned Salvation Army officers, 140 employees, and 75 trained disaster volunteers. During a significant disaster, the Columbia Division will deploy a team of trained personnel as an Incident Command Team to manage Salvation Army disaster relief operations and deploy a liaison to the Columbia EOC. Salvation Army disaster relief services may include mass feeding, emergency financial assistance, case management, emotional and spiritual care, donations management, and clean-up and reconstruction.


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew*
1	Capital City Canteen Mobile Kitchen Unit / Type I	Central City	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
1	Metropolis Canteen Mobile Kitchen Unit / Type I	Metropolis	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
1	Stramford County Canteen Mobile Kitchen Unit / Type I	Tower Beach	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
1	Clifton Canteen Mobile Kitchen Unit / Type I	Clifton	Up to 1,500 meals/day	1 Driver 2 Workers
1	Monroe Disaster Response Unit (DRU) Food Service Delivery Unit / Type I	Monroe	Up to 1,500 meals per day	1 Driver 1 Worker
1	Triangle Disaster Response Unit (DRU) Food Service Delivery Unit / Type I	Triangle	Up to 1,500 meals per day	1 Driver 1 Worker

Notes: * Minimum crew per shift
** Mobilization for Salvation Army units is 2–4 hours plus travel time

Table N.13. The Salvation Army, Columbia Division Resources

The Salvation Army Columbia Division also has a 40,000 sq. ft. multi-use warehouse in Capital City with space devoted to storing disaster supplies. During an event, The Salvation Army can convert the entire warehouse to disaster operations and may use the facility to collect and sort donated goods.


#	Description
5,000	Clean-up Kits (contains broom, mop, bucket, and other material used to clean up after a disaster)
2,500	Comfort Kits (contains personnel hygiene products, such as toothbrush, washcloth, etc.)
50	Insulated food containers (e.g., Cambros)
20	Insulated beverage containers (e.g., Cambros)

Table N.14. The Salvation Army, Columbia Division Warehoused Supplies

N.2.3. Liberty County Interfaith Church Council

The Liberty County Interfaith Church Council is an affiliation of all churches in Liberty County and Central City to assist the community in case of a disaster. The council president is Pastor Robert Stokes of Faith Methodist Church located at X and 16th Streets. The council assists with food, emergency shelter, and volunteers before, during, and after an emergency. After an emergency, they also provide outreach and counseling to the community. They can call on other churches in the area to provide financial assistance and volunteers to help with emergency repairs and to rebuild homes in the affected area. The Interfaith Council works closely with other emergency management and non-profit organizations in the area. They have an agreement with the American Red Cross to provide their support and cooperation during a disaster.

N.2.4.1. Mission Statement and Purpose

Liberty County VOAD is an association of independent voluntary organizations who may be active in all phases of disaster. Its mission is to foster efficient, streamlined service delivery to people affected by disaster, while eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort, through cooperation in the four phases of emergency management: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Similarly missioned VOADs exist at the State and national levels, and Liberty County VOAD communicates regularly with the Columbia State VOAD and the National VOAD (https://www.nvoad.org/), based in Alexandria, VA.

N.2.4.2. Principles

Liberty County VOAD accomplishes its mission by adhering to the following principles:

Cooperation: Foster cooperation among Liberty County VOAD member organizations at all levels and in all phases of disaster.

Coordination: Coordinate the development of Liberty County VOAD policies and procedures and the implementation of services among Liberty County VOAD member organizations. Liberty County VOAD may also provide links to national and international disaster relief organizations. Liberty County VOAD serves as advocate and liaison between member agencies and the county government.

Communication: Exchange and disseminate information among Liberty County VOAD member organizations and the public, as well as local, State, and Federal agencies, in conjunction with the individual Liberty County VOAD member.

Collaboration: Dedication to work together to achieve specified goals and to undertake specific projects at disaster sites. Liberty County VOAD is dedicated to forming partnerships between NGO disaster responders that ultimately leads to better and more efficient service to survivors.

N.2.4.3. Liberty County VOAD Members

Any charitable, volunteer-based organization with a role in disaster response or recovery may apply to become a full member of Liberty County VOAD. Local government organizations may also become members of the VOAD, but as non-voting affiliate members who cannot hold a leadership position. Once accepted, member agencies are expected to appoint an individual to serve as their VOAD liaison and represent their agency at quarterly VOAD meetings, in planning discussions, and to share information during disaster response operations.

American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Community Services Program
American Red Cross
Coastal Community Services
Liberty County Public Health Department*
Family First Health
Habitat for Humanity
Housing Alliance of Central City
Liberty County Emergency Management Agency*
Liberty County Food Bank
Liberty County Department of Housing & Human Services*
Liberty County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Liberty’s Helping Hands for the Homeless
Lutheran Social Services
Mennonite Disaster Services
New Hope Ministries
Seventh Day Adventist Community Services
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
The Salvation Army
United Methodist Disaster Services
United Way of Liberty County
Liberty County Volunteer Center

* Agencies in italics with an asterisk are local government agencies and non-voting, affiliate members of the VOAD

N.2.4.4. VOAD Leadership

Leadership of the Liberty County VOAD is provided through a 5-member annually elected board of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Member-at-Large.

President – Lutheran Social Services
Vice-President – American Red Cross
Treasurer – United Way of Liberty County
Secretary – Liberty’s Helping Hands for the Homeless
Member-at-Large – The Salvation Army

During a disaster, the President of VOAD will deploy to the Liberty County EOC to work alongside the American Red Cross and Salvation Army liaisons and to serve as the collective representative of the other voluntary organizations in Liberty County.

N.2.4.5. Liberty County Voluntary Organizational Resources

During a disaster, VOAD members independently provide a variety of relief and recovery services ranging from mass feeding, sheltering, case management services, receiving and distributing in-kind goods, and clean-up and reconstruction. The following Liberty County voluntary organizations have important response assets that can be mobilized at the request of local emergency management:

N.2.4.5.1. Seventh Day Adventists

The Seventh Day Adventists have a national agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to set-up Multi-Agency Donated Goods Warehouses in a declared disaster. These warehouses receive and sort unsolicited donations and release these goods to other voluntary organizations for distribution to disaster survivors and responders. Volunteers from the local Adventist congregation are trained as a Donated Goods Warehouse Management Team and capable of setting up a disaster warehouse facility of up to 50,000 square feet.


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew
1	Donated Goods Warehouse Management Team / Type III	Apple Valley	Supports a facility up to 50,000 square feet	8 Members

Table N.15. Seventh Day Adventists, Liberty County Resources

N.2.4.5.2. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief

Supported through the Central City First Baptist Church, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief maintains a number of disaster units in different locations in Liberty County. These assets include a large field kitchen, capable of producing up to 20,000 meals, stationed in Harvest Junction. The Southern Baptists also support a number of clean-up and reconstruction teams, including one debris removal team (also called a “chainsaw team) to assist with tree-cutting and debris removal, one “mud-out” team to help clean out water-damaged homes, and two temporary home repair teams that can help with minor repairs, such as putting a tarp on a roof. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has a national agreement with the American Red Cross and will activate their field kitchen to support Red Cross shelters and other feeding efforts.


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew
1	Field Kitchen Unit / Type II	Harvest Junction	20,000 or fewer meals/day	1 Field Kitchen Manager, Type I & 30 workers
1	Debris Removal Team	Central City	Varies based on type of debris	1 supervisor & 5–10 workers
1	Mud-Out Team	Central City	Averages 1,000 sq. ft. per day	1 supervisor & 5–10 workers
2	Temporary Home Repair Teams	Harvest Junction, Apple Valley	Varies based on scope of work	1 supervisor & 5–10 workers

Table N.16. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Liberty County Resources

N.2.4.5.3. Liberty’s Helping Hands for the Homeless

Founded in 1983, Liberty’s Helping Hands for the Homeless is a local private non-profit that specializes in advocacy, job training, and counseling for the homeless. Helping Hands also has a motorized soup kitchen, which is normally used for nightly street feedings, but could be used to prepare meals for disaster survivors in an emergency.


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew*
1	Mobile Kitchen Unit / Type IV	Central City	Up to 500 meals/day	1 Driver 1 Worker

* Minimum crew per shift

Table N.17. Helping Hands for the Homeless Resources

N.2.4.5.4. Liberty County Volunteer Center

The mission of the Liberty County Volunteer Center is to connect individuals, non-profits, and businesses with opportunities and resources needed to support local communities. The Volunteer Center works closely with local agencies to provide thousands of opportunities for volunteers to connect with local service organizations. The Liberty County Volunteer Center operates a toll-free volunteer hotline and allows volunteers to register online.

At the request of local emergency management, the Liberty County Volunteer Center will act as a clearinghouse for spontaneous volunteers. Unaffiliated volunteers interested in helping during a disaster may register through the volunteer center’s hotline or website. The volunteer center will match these volunteers with local VOAD organizations that have registered specific volunteer-related needs. The Volunteer Center will screen all volunteers and run appropriate background checks.

At the request of local emergency management, the Liberty County Volunteer Center will open a Volunteer Reception Center. This is a temporary facility where unaffiliated, spontaneous volunteers who “show up” at the disaster site may be directed for registration, screening, and appropriate job assignment. The Liberty County Volunteer Center staff and volunteers will provide staffing for the Reception Center.

N.2.5.1. Church of the Brethren

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination, originally organized in 1708. A member of National VOAD, the church’s disaster relief work falls into two principle areas. Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) engages volunteers to repair and rebuild storm-damaged homes. Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) meets the needs of children by setting up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers, and staffing these centers with specially trained volunteers.


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew
5	Temporary Home Repair Teams	Cass, Granite, Hamilton, Kane, Pine counties	Varies based on scope of work	1 supervisor & 5–10 workers
3	Temporary Child Care Support Services Unit– Type I (Overnight Care)	Granite, Kane, Pine counties	Typically 1 caregiver per 6 children	1 Leader and 1 Assistant Leader and a minimum of 4 caregivers per shift

Table N.18. Church of the Brethren, State of Columbia Resources

N.2.5.2. Mennonite Disaster Services

Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters in Canada and the United States. The Mennonite community within the State of Columbia is able to mobilize eight disaster units: three debris removal teams and five temporary home repair teams. The main focus of MDS is on clean up, repair, and rebuilding homes, and, in addition to its response phase capabilities, MDS is also a long-term recovery rebuilder. Additional teams may be deployed to do complete home reconstruction. There are multiple congregations across the state.

N.2.5.3 Southern Baptist Disaster Relief

Supported through the Columbia State Baptist Convention, headquartered in Capital City, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief maintains three field kitchens, five debris removal teams, four mud-out teams, two portable shower trailers, and five temporary repair teams in the State. These units may be mobilized at the discretion of the convention and often work in partnership with American Red Cross and Salvation Army disaster units.

N.2.5.3. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief


#	Description	Location	Capacity	Crew
1	Field Kitchen Unit / Type III	Metropolis	10,000 or fewer meals/day	1 Field Kitchen Manager, Type I & 20 workers
1	Field Kitchen Unit / Type III	Beaver City	10,000 or fewer meals/day	1 Field Kitchen Manager, Type I & 20 workers
1	Field Kitchen Unit / Type III	Tower Beach	10,000 or fewer meals/day	1 Field Kitchen Manager, Type I & 20 workers
2	Shower Trailers	Metropolis, Valley Stream	14 shower stalls per unit	2 crew
5	Debris Removal Teams	Capital City, Laye Co, Metropolis, Tower Beach, Zurich	Varies based on scope of work	1 supervisor & 5–10 workers
4	Mud-Out Teams	Capital City, Laye Co, Metropolis, Valley Stream	Averages 1,000 sq. ft. per day	1 supervisor & 5–10 workers
5	Temporary Home Repair Teams	Capital City, Laye Co, Jamestown, Redstone Co, Zurich	Varies based on scope of work	1 supervisor & 5–10 workers

Table N.19. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, State of Columbia Resources