Red Cross unites war families

With the war in Iraq underway, the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay is prepared to keep military families connected with armed forces members overseas, while encouraging vigilance by community members at home.

A major operation of the local chapter in relation to the war is international tracing, which allows family members to stay connected with deployed troops, according to Erin McNamara, associate director of operations in the emergency services department. The ‘Get to Know Us Before You Need Us’ campaign allows military personnel to register with the Red Cross before they are sent away for service so their families can easily keep in contact through the Red Cross.

‘We may have an increase of calls from family members that need to send an important message to a loved one that’s deployed [since the war has begun]’ McNamara said.

Though international tracing is also available in peacetime, McNamara said the chapter is especially sensitive to military families’ needs during the war.

‘We’ll play a more active role in getting in touch with military families in our community,’ she said.

In addition to international tracing, McNamara said the Mass. Bay chapter is prepared to offer financial assistance or humanitarian aid to any country needing help, assisting the American Red Cross International and keeping with its policy of neutrality.

At the moment, McNamara said there is not a pressing need for many new local volunteers.

‘We haven’t done any additional outreach because we would hate to put something out there and have too many [volunteers] and not be able provide valuable experience to everyone who comes to us,’ she said.

But should an emergency need arise, McNamara said, a more aggressive campaign for volunteers would be implemented. Regardless of the demand for volunteers, the Red Cross will always welcome financial and blood donations, she said.

‘That’s a great way if people want to do something they know will be of value in recognizing the war and our situation … and [it’s] a way to support our community members,’ she said.

The availability to the community is exactly the focus of the Red Cross disaster action teams, according to Larry Rosenberg, volunteer lead disaster officer for the American Red Cross of Mass. Bay. The chapter organizes teams to go to the scene of local disasters, such as house fires, and take care of the immediate needs of the victims.

‘Our volunteers go and find temporary housing for the clients that are displaced and give them a voucher … to buy clothing and food,’ he said, describing one of the many disaster team responsibilities.

With the possibility of terrorism in response to war, Rosenberg said he realizes local Red Cross action may be necessary.

‘If there’s an act of terrorism and something is shut down, we will open a shelter and bring people to the shelter and take care of them there,’ he said.

In being prepared for such situations, volunteers undergo special training to deal with the emotional and technical side of responding to disasters.

‘It’s difficult to tell [volunteers], ‘this is what you’re going to see,’ but they’re prepared and you run on adrenaline,’ he explained.

One such volunteer is Katie Williams, Boston University’s disaster action team coordinator. The 35 members of the DAT team are usually on call Tuesday and Saturday nights, but because of the heightened national security situation, Williams must carry a list of her volunteers at all times in case the group must respond to a local disaster.

‘If something like the World Trade Center [disaster] happens, [the Red Cross] is going to call everyone, not just the people on call,’ she said.

Right now the DAT team can only wait for a call to action, but Williams said the war made her realize the increased importance of her team’s availability to respond to disasters.

However, the Red Cross encourages being prepared for a disaster before it happens, according to McNamara. The Red Cross suggests precautions such as establishing a family meeting place and putting together a disaster supplies kit.

‘The first step is be prepared on a personal level, and then decide if you want to take the next step and help other people,’ she said.