ANA\C The Nursing Voice Spring 2019

anacalifornia.org  .  15 Disaster Nursing Should Not Be A Disaster I had the privilege of serving as the Disaster Health Services Manager for the response from December 18–28. We did have over 700 clients living at the Chico Silver Dollar Fairgrounds— they were in five pavilions: women, men, families, animals, and medical/health issues. We also had over 80 persons and families living in tents on cement pads. We also had approx. 150 families living in RVs. Red Cross took care of providing them with cots, blankets, comfort kits, three meals per day as well as snacks, and health care. We had a special center for the families of the clients that died in the fire. We also had two local area service centers that was with over 35 other community, state, and federal agencies to help the families. Imagine that you are fast asleep, and the Red Cross is calling you at 2am to help set up shelter for over 100 people that are evacuated from a wildfire disaster. The temporary disaster will have the emergent supplies and Red Cross personnel that are required to welcome the unfortunate victims of the wildfire disaster. Most of your clients have been forced out of their homes many times with only the clothes they have on them. It can be in the middle of the night or day and they need volunteers to make them feel welcome and provide them with the basic needs— food, clothing, bed, and health & mental health care. The American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. is a National Historic Landmark. ARC was established in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881 by President Chester Arthur with Clara Barton as President of the American Red Cross. A Congressional charter amended in 1905 provided the American Red Cross with charter requirements and responsibilities delegated by the federal government — a new organization, national in scope with five objectives: To secure the adoption of the Geneva Convention by the United States. To obtain for itself recognition from the United States government. To “organize a system of national relief and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by war, pestilence, famine and other calamities.” To collect and diffuse information on such matters as relief, sanitary science, [blood services] and hospital services. To cooperate with other national societies of the Red Cross. The 2018 Camp Fire, the largest devastating wild fire in California, went on long after the flames were put out. We took care of over 700 clients and approximately 195 Red Cross staff every 2 weeks for 99 weeks. These requirements mean that at any time American Red Cross will provide disaster and disaster services, uphold the Geneva Convents, provide care to the military, veterans and the family members through the Service to Armed Forces, and provide blood and blood products during disasters. We perform those activities 24/7, 365 days a year, there is no stopping. We were very fortunate to have the super help of the Butte County Public Health Department. They provided nurses and LVNs and EMTs for our shelters as well as an isolation tent and medical providers who were able to diagnose and provide prescriptions for our clients. These clients needed new mediations and treatments. Clients that had lost eyeglasses, dentures, medications, and DME due to the fire were provided with replacements. Monica, the lead nurse for Butte County, truly deserves a super- duper award for her professional demeanor, ability to get the job done and a great sense of humor during some real unfunny moments. Her team was stupendous. There was also another community health clinic that provided medical care during each of the weeks to all of the clients needing services. There was also a huge outbreak of Norovirus and influenza in addition to the usual illnesses that occur in congregated living. The team of the shelter staff, feeding staff, Disaster Health Services, and Disaster Mental Health Services worked as one to identify and respond to these outbreaks. We were responsible for the health care needs of the clients and the staff in all areas. Our Staff Health Wellness nurses worked long and hard to help all of the staff get health issues identified and responded to. I have been a Red Cross Disaster Health Nurse for 39 years and continue to feel very satisfied that I can help people in stress and at the worst moments of their lives. As a nurse educator, being a Red Cross Volunteer has helped me to be grounded and get back to the original roots of nursing. Give back to your community—Disaster Nursing should not be a disaster! Dr. Liz Dietz EdD, RN, CS-NP—American Red Cross: Advisor/Mentor— Give Back to Your Community Disaster Relief Corner