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Reponse to Tornados
Tue, 12 Nov 2002
OHVOAD
This is my first update on OHVOAD response to the tornado's in OH.
For me, the event started about 5:00 p.m. on Sunday with a call from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OHEMA) saying there had been tornado's in western OH and asking that I call the OH Funeral Director's Association, Mortuary Response Team, to alert them to the possibility of mass casualties. I did that and then started calling key people within the OHVOAD organization to alert them to what was happening in their area.
Suzy Davidson of the American Red Cross called to report the situation as she was beginning to hear it.
Ron Moorefield called to say that communication was a problem and a team of ARRL staff were on their way there to assist.
About then the storms hit my house and the electricity went off for a short time and then came back on.
A little after 10:00 p.m. Kay Phillips of the OHEMA called to say that the alert for mass casualties was over for it was determined that when the movie theater collapsed, the people had been evacuated due to hearing the tornado sirens. So, the calls began again to alert folk to the new info. Kay also informed me of the opening of the OHEMA Emergency Operations Center and that the first briefing was at 9:00 a.m. (yesterday, Monday).
I spent most of the day (Monday) in the EMA EOC. Since the tornado's stuck at dusk or during the night, yesterday was a day to access what had really happened and the needed response. I've attached the first situation report from the EMA. Basically, there was little response that was called for from us. It was a wait and see day.
The Lt. Governor, Director the Dept. of Public Safety (EMA is a part of that Dept), Dale Shipley, Director of the OHEMA, and others from state government officials were present for the 9:00 a.m. briefing and they left for a tour of the area.
After the briefing it did become clear that two major issues would surface for OHVOAD. First, unaffiliated volunteers and secondly, donations. I talked to the United Way agency leadership in Columbus and they have a strong presence in Van Wert and they were already working with the Van Wert EMA on those two issues. Jim Ditzler called to say he was starting the process of identifying possible warehouse sites for use if needed.
With that, the day was almost done. I returned home, went outside for a little exercise and then (I must admit) I was so exhausted I didn't have the presence of mind to write this, so I went to bed. Thus the delay in you getting this.
Today will bring more info on the details of the situation and what will be needed.
One major point for us to remember is that it has already been determined that most (I'm sure not all) of the homes involved have insurance. This means that emergency assistance will be needed for the long term needs will largely be covered. Therefore, we will probably not see a lot of State and Federal dollars coming in. This also means that reliable contractors will be an issue. The Attorney General's office already has a program in place to verify/certify that contractors as people of good reputation. All contractors should work to be in touch with the Attorney General's office to be listed and recognized. Already we received a couple of calls from contractors, one from Nebraska, wanting to know where they were needed. It is very sad to say, but in times of disaster, disaster victims need to be protected from secondary disasters and untrustworthy individuals/companies.
I will update you more from an OHVOAD perspective as things develop today. Hopefully, I can communicate before the day ends.
This brings me to the next thing. We are scheduled to meet as a VOAD group tomorrow, Wednesday, November 13. Here are a couple of things to remember as you come to Columbus:
First, the OHEMA is a "secure" facility.
Second, the Operations Center will probably still be open as we meet. This means that it will take you a little longer to get into the facility and that certain sections will be off limits. You will probably be met by a Highway Patrol Officer at the front door. You will need to sign in and provide I.D. and identify who you are with and where you are going. Due to the current situation, I'm not sure yet as to the room we will be meeting in. We will have that info at the desk. Please be sure to honor the requests made of you during the day.
Susan Jensen of FEMA, Region V, has indicated she will be with us. She has spent the last six months out of country working with FEMA. We are glad she is back and will be joining us. Also, we will have someone from the OHEMA, again, I'm not sure who, to talk to us about the developing expectations of OHVOAD within the disaster response context. Today's headlines of war with Iraq being even closer, reminds me of the fact that disaster response is no longer just about tornado's and floods!
Along with the immediacy of the current situation, we have some of our own business to care for. I look forward to seeing you Wednesday! One other thing, I expect that we will use a full day (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) with a lunch break. The last couple of meetings we have decided to work through the lunch hour and go home about 1:00 p.m. I do not expect that tomorrow. Please plan accordingly.
Until then, may God bless!
Marwood
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