Thunder Bay FloodThunder Bay FloodMay 28,2012May 28,2012

5,000 homes with sewage backup!5,000 homes with sewage backup!

Be Prepared for the CallBe Prepared for the Call

• Talk over the possibility of deployments and what that Talk over the possibility of deployments and what that incurs regularly with your family, boss, fellow workers and incurs regularly with your family, boss, fellow workers and those who will look after your stuff.those who will look after your stuff.

• Have:Have:– Current CV/ResumeCurrent CV/Resume– Current PassportCurrent Passport– Criminal Records CheckCriminal Records Check– Vulnerable Persons CheckVulnerable Persons Check– ImmunisationsImmunisations– Credit or Debit CardCredit or Debit Card

• Take as much Red Cross training as you can. The more Take as much Red Cross training as you can. The more training the more opportunities.training the more opportunities.

The CallThe Call• June 1 – E-mail from Mona looking for volunteers, I applied.June 1 – E-mail from Mona looking for volunteers, I applied.• June 6 – 8 a.m. second e-mail call for volunteers. June 6 – 8 a.m. second e-mail call for volunteers. • June 6 – 10 a.m. – the callJune 6 – 10 a.m. – the call• We always want to go, but when the call comes:We always want to go, but when the call comes:

– Do I:Do I:• Have the time, what about my commitmentsHave the time, what about my commitments

– FamilyFamily– JobJob

• Have the skills?Have the skills?• Want to do the job they are offering?Want to do the job they are offering?

– Who will look after Who will look after • Dog.Dog.• HouseHouse• BusinessBusiness

– Close-up houseClose-up house• Empty refrigerator, turn water off, snow removal, Empty refrigerator, turn water off, snow removal,

grass cutting etcgrass cutting etc

Getting thereGetting there

• The Canadian Red Cross covers your expenses (travel, meals The Canadian Red Cross covers your expenses (travel, meals and lodging) while you are on deployment. and lodging) while you are on deployment. – Keep receiptsKeep receipts

• Getting there for me:Getting there for me:– Call at 10 a.m.Call at 10 a.m.– At noon, all arrangements made for my life here to go on hold.At noon, all arrangements made for my life here to go on hold.– Red Cross books the flights. But four (4) hours and two Red Cross books the flights. But four (4) hours and two

additional ticket changes.additional ticket changes.– Leave home at 8 pm.Leave home at 8 pm.

• Drop cat off in FrederictonDrop cat off in Fredericton

• Motel in FrederictonMotel in Fredericton

• Up at 6 a.m. to drive my dog two hours to my sister’s in northern N.B. Up at 6 a.m. to drive my dog two hours to my sister’s in northern N.B.

• Back to Fredericton airport for 10 a.m.Back to Fredericton airport for 10 a.m.

• Fly Fredericton to Toronto to Thunder Bay.Fly Fredericton to Toronto to Thunder Bay.

• Met at the Thunder Bay by a Red Cross volunteer/driver.Met at the Thunder Bay by a Red Cross volunteer/driver.

The Emergency ResponseThe Emergency Response

• I arrived a week after the flood.I arrived a week after the flood.

• The hard work of set-up was done.The hard work of set-up was done.

• I’ve no pictures of flood damage as I worked in a Registration I’ve no pictures of flood damage as I worked in a Registration CenterCenter

The Daily TrekThe Daily TrekFrom Residence to Command CentreFrom Residence to Command Centre

Morning Meeting - EveryoneMorning Meeting - Everyone

Registration CentreRegistration Centre

Reception - Meet n GreetReception - Meet n Greet

Registration CentreRegistration Centre

Tents can be cold or hotTents can be cold or hot

The facilitiesThe facilities

What if we have to evacuate?

Lunch & SnacksLunch & Snacks

Emergency ServicesEmergency Services

Mennonite Central Mennonite Central CommitteeCommittee

Emergency Operations Centre Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)(EOC)

Human Resources (HR)Human Resources (HR)

LogisticsLogistics

Data EntryData Entry

One of OursOne of Ours

The ResidenceThe ResidenceChartwellsChartwells

The ResidnceThe Residnce

DecontaminationDecontamination

The Good and the BadThe Good and the Bad

Winding DownWinding Down

• From all of us to a few of us!From all of us to a few of us!

A little R & R – Kekabeca A little R & R – Kekabeca FallsFalls

WrapupWrapup

• Over 100 Red Cross Staff and Volunteers in Thunder Bay at the Over 100 Red Cross Staff and Volunteers in Thunder Bay at the height of the response.height of the response.

• Over 160 personnel rotated through Thunder Bay.Over 160 personnel rotated through Thunder Bay.

• Personnel from eight provinces.Personnel from eight provinces.

• It was:It was:– FunFun– ExhaustingExhausting– WorthwhileWorthwhile– EnrichingEnriching– GroundingGrounding