DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN PEEL REGION

THE CANADIAN RED CROSS THE RED CROSS MISSION: To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. Fundamental Principles Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary Service Unity Universality

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE RED CROSS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY/DISASTER? We act as an auxiliary to public authorities  We assist government authorities in response to disasters  We act in compliance with established municipal agreements  We work with other non- governmental agencies (i.e. Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, other NGO’s) 3

AS AN AUXILIARY TO PUBLIC AUTHORITIES The Red Cross Disaster Management (DM) Team will respond to an emergency, declared or otherwise, upon receipt of a call from public officials or the appropriate authority from within the community. The initial services usually provided by theRed Cross involve supporting Reception and Shelter services for those effected by a disaster.

TO WHOM DOES RED CROSS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE? During a disaster, the Red Cross provides disaster relief that meets basic and essential needs without discrimination and with impartiality. For example, the Red Cross may assist: residents forced from their homes residents who cannot return to their homes residents unable to leave their homes non-residents surviving family members family inquiries about the health and safety of their loved ones government and other relief partners that need information people who are seeking information about the services of governments and other agencies The Red Cross helps those affected by disasters resume self-sufficiency as soon as possible.

WHY DOES THE RED CROSS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE? The Canadian Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Together with close to 200 other Red Cross National Societies we are focused on achieving a common goal: to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. In 1909, the Government of Canada passed an act to incorporate the Canadian Red Cross Society in Chapter 68 of the Statutes of Canada. The act legally established the Red Cross as a corporate body responsible for providing assistance to relieve suffering.

WHAT IS A RECEPTION CENTRE A Reception Centre is a one-stop service site where, in a disaster or emergency, people evacuate to and where their immediate basic needs are met by the six Emergency Social Services response teams: Emergency Clothing, Emergency Lodging, Emergency Food Service, Registration and Inquiry, Personal Services, and Reception Centre Service.

EMERGENCY SOCIAL SERVICES Emergency Social Services  Information (organization and dissemination)  Reception and Information  Personal services (incl. maintaining a supply of at least 500 hygiene kits)  Lodging and sheltering  Food and clothing (through vouchers or coordination of external providers)  Registration and family reunification

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE RED CROSS Reception and Information This service informs people affected by disasters about the services available from all responding agencies. Family Reunification Various methods can be used to re-establish family links: telephone calls, e- mails, family message forms, and a registration and inquiry service. Emergency Food Service This service provides emergency food to those affected by the disaster to meet their basic needs and those of the response team involved. Red Cross can offer food through grocery vouchers, restaurant meals, catering services or a local cafeteria. The service must cover the needs of all groups of individuals including infants, pregnant and nursing women, religious groups, seniors and individuals with dietary restrictions. This service also ensures that the beneficiaries have drinking water and adequate sanitary facilities.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE RED CROSS Emergency Clothing This service provides clothing to preserve the dignity of individuals and to clothe them appropriately for the weather. The clothing must be culturally appropriate. Red Cross provides new clothing through suppliers, and may refer clients for used clothing. Emergency Lodging This service provides evacuees with safe temporary shelter. Based on National Disaster Assistance Guidelines, there are four ways to organize emergency lodging: the home of the person affected by the disaster (stay at home, with food and other support) private accommodation with relatives and friends emergency shelters commercial accommodation (hotels, motels) Personal Services This service provides people affected by disasters with emotional comfort, referrals professional counselling, hygiene products, diapers, medications and medical equipment.

If measures are in ft2 (Area ÷ 40 ft2 = number of beds max. for the space) If measures are in m2 (Area ÷ 3.5 m2 = number of beds max. for the space) Shelter Management Guidelines Sanitation Standards : Toilet: 1 / 20 people respectable standard Washing Facilities: 1 / 10 people respectable standard Shower facilities: 1 / 50 people respectable standard Space Allocation for Sleeping :

LOGISTICS IN A SHELTER  Setup Waiting Area  Setup Counter for distributing meal coupons, clothing, personal services  Setup Cafeteria  Setup Quiet room for volunteer  Setup sleeping area

SLEEPING AREA SETUP  Use Floor Plan / Cot Diagram provided by Shelter Lead to assign sleeping areas for Evacuees  Setup sleeping areas - Remember to assign separate areas for families with young children, elderly people, mobility-impaired persons, people who work night shifts and must sleep during the day, and other people with special circumstances.

COT SETUP SPECIFICS  Adults - Allow 3.5 m2 (40 sq. ft.) of space per person and 10 m3 (340 ft3) from the ceiling  Children – 0.75 m / 2.5 ft (½ Adult)  The ceiling should preferably be at least 3m or 10ft high  Leave 0.75m (or 30 inches) between each cot  Leave free space in front of the main entrance of the room, light switches and emergency exits in the event of an emergency evacuation  Between Spaces – 4' common aisle down one side of room opposite entrance  2' aisles between rows  Ensure there are two exits available in each sleeping area.

MONTH DAY, YEARTITLE OF THE PRESENTATION20

LARGE SCALE EMERGENCY SERVICES  Community-Level Disasters  Wide-area or vulnerable persons assessment  Large-scale logistics support  General Auxiliary to Peel Region EM  Potential for response partner coordination  Surge volunteers (RWTC)  Preparedness Activities  Annual exercise participation

MATERIAL CAPACITY IN THE GTA

THANK YOU For questions on Red Cross service-delivery in Peel Region during a disaster contact: 23