HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0745.008 2016-2018COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAIFI
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Aloha Hawai'i County Council Members: April 23, 2018
I am the Director of Disaster Services for the Red Cross in Hawaii County. During my tenure we -
have increased our contributions to the communities in Hawai'i County. Red Cross has
maintained complete coverage of all:disasters (mostly home fires: 2-3 calls/month) and has
doubled Preparedness efforts. Since July 2017,'Red Cross has: presented the Pillowcase Disaster
Preparation Program to over 500 children (and counting) - up from about 250 last year.;
installed over 200 smoke alarms (and counting) and doubled Disaster Prep presentations -
mostly driven by invitations to speak since the, Ballistic Missile false alarm.
Red Cross serves all segments of the community: Elderly; Low Income,, Children, Homeless -
anyone and everyone who,has need in times of emergency, as well as providing valuable
disaster preparation information to a.11. An investment in disaster preparedness will help reduce
the impact of a disaster and will help save lives. Every $1 invested in disaster preparedness and
risk -reduction activities saves over $4 in post -disaster response and recovery expenses
(Multihazard Mitigation Council, 2005).
The local Red Cross operating budget does not include the tens of thousands of dollars of
materials that are provided by National Red Cross, including: disaster response su.pplies,
Community Education supplies,, Pillowcase Program supplies and Smoke Alarms. 'With the, large
number of National Disasters this past year (Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, California Wildfires
and Floods, etc.), all regions are'required to provide more of their own operating expenses, .
Red Cross also heavily leverages funding by buying_ in° bulk and using a predominantly volunteer
workforce... over 95% Nationwide and >99% on the. Big Island! The budget includes property
rental, truck and other facilities operation and maintenance and the Director's salary: Th.e
Director is an operational .position — I -recruit,. train and manage the volunteers, conduct
community disaster preparation presentations, am a resource for volunteers deployed locally
and nationally and I also deploy to some local, East Hawaii responses.
Red Cross will always send people in times of disasters, but it is clear that with our exposure to
so many potential disasters and how remote we are on the Big Island, it very valuable to
supporta strong Red Cross Chapter here. Having trained volunteer-s:o.n site and ready alleviates
much suffering and makes our response more efficient and effective. We have a recent
example from Kauai where'local Red Cross. volunteers covered the immediate tasks.of providing
shelter and organizing food and water: These volunteers are familiar with their Island and have
had many hours of training from the Red Cross and kept engaged by their Director.
i hope that Hawai'i County valuesthe Red Cross presence here and can show recognition and
support for our incredible work in our communities. Mahalo nui loa for your consideration.
Debbie Weeks
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