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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08. Red Cross Disaster Service Agreement AGENDA MEMO DATE: December 13, 2011 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Office of the City Manager By: Rick Esteves, Chief of Police SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER AND DISASTER SERVICES RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve renewal of an agreement with the American Red Cross for emergency shelter and disaster services. DISCUSSION ARC is mandated by federal law to undertake activities to mitigate suffering caused by natural disasters and other emergencies. The American Red Cross (ARC) serves as a City resource for staffing at City emergency shelters and for other disaster service assistance. A similar agreement has been in place since 1974. ARC has requested their existing agreement be updated to clarify the roles of the ARC and City during emergency and non-emergency periods. ARC is making an effort to update all of their agreements with Southern California cities. Staff has reviewed the proposed operational agreement and found it acceptable. City and ARC staff have recently reviewed City shelter sites and evaluated their capacities. These efforts and this agreement serve as a time-saving, planning tool for City emergency shelter facilities. In the event of an emergency, City staff will likely be the first to open the shelter(s). The assistance of the ARC will follow. On-going shelter operations will be carried out by a collaboration of City and ARC staff. The City retains the right to choose when and where an evacuation center is opened. This agreement also clarifies ARC responsibilities for feeding operations, the distribution of relief supplies, client assistance and other ARC relief services such as employee and volunteer training. ARC aid is not dependent on the declaration of a local disaster, but is provided in a uniform manner as a gift to disaster victims. This agreement does not create a joint venture or a partnership. Neither partner has the authority to bind the other to any obligation. Staff recommends a review of this agreement after five years. FINANCIAL IMPACT This agreement does not have a fiscal impact. The ARC does not charge for their services. CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA Memorandum of Understanding Between The American Red Cross and The City of Downey I. Purpose The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") is to define a working relationship between The American Red Cross (hereinafter "Red Cross") and The City of Downey, its agencies, counties, and municipalities (hereinafter "The City of Downey”), in preparing for and responding to certain disaster situations.This MOU provides the broad framework for cooperation and support between the Red Cross and The City of Downey in assisting and serving The City of Downey citizens who have been impacted by disaster, as well as other services for which cooperation may be mutually beneficial. Independence of Operations II. Each party to this MOU will maintain its own identity in providing service. Each organization is separately responsible for establishing its own policies and procedures. III. Authorities The City of Downey American Red Cross Founded in 1881, the American Red Cross is the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral and impartial humanitarian care, the American Red Cross is the community-based organization that mobilizes people to aid victims of disasters with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering. Each year, in communities large and small, survivors of some 70,000 disasters are aided by the compassion and assistance of the volunteers and staff of the Red Cross. Red Cross chapters and relief operations are closely integrated with community response efforts including state and federal government and non-government disaster relief entities. Our goal is to work with all partners to lead a well integrated, effective and efficient response to every disaster. On a local level, the Red Cross responds to all kinds of disasters. The disasters to which the Red Cross responds include any threatening event of such destructive magnitude and force as to dislocate people, separate family members, damage or destroy homes, or injure or kill people. A disaster produces a range and level of immediate suffering and basic human needs that cannot be promptly or adequately addressed by the affected people and impedes them from initiating and proceeding with their recovery efforts. In addition to local resources, when events are larger than the local chapter’s capacity, regional resources are brought in to augment the local chapter response. In very large events, the Red Cross’ national capacity is brought to bear. This includes mass care resources, vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and a trained volunteer workforce of more than 90,000 individuals. Following a disaster, the Red Cross provides the following services: Food, Shelter and Emergency Supplies. During a disaster, our first priority is to ensure that people have a safe place to stay, food, and emergency supplies. Red Cross works with government and community partners to open shelters where residents will find comfort with a hot meal, recovery information, and a place to rest. For emergency workers and people returning to their homes, the Red Cross mobilizes emergency response vehicles from which disaster workers distribute food, water, and essential clean-up items that might not be immediately available in the community. Welfare Information. Disasters often disrupt regular communication channels and can separate families. Through the Red Cross’ nationwide network of chapters, family members may request welfare information regarding their loved ones. The Red Cross “Safe and Well” Web site enables people within a disaster area to let their families and friends outside of the affected region know that they are all right. Clients register on Safe and Well, by going to http://redcross.org/safeandwell. Red Cross call agents at 1-866-GET-INFO will register http://redcross.org/safeandwell. individuals without computers or connectivity. Client Casework and Recovery Planning and Assistance. To help people with disaster- caused needs, Red Cross provides individualized client services through casework. Particular attention is given to those who have experienced significant damage or loss of their homes. This casework process consists of an in-depth interview that allows the worker to assess the client’s immediate needs. With this information, the caseworker can connect the client with items, financial assistance and/or referrals to local resources which can meet those immediate needs. The caseworker also engages the client in a brief planning process which can help identify action steps for the client to follow in the first few days or weeks after a disaster. Red Cross caseworkers work closely with local, state and federal government to ensure clients have access to all available resources. Disaster Health and Mental Health Services. After an emergency, injuries can ensue, essential prescription medicines lost, and the shock and stress of sudden loss can overwhelm a person’s normal coping skills. The Red Cross deploys licensed health and mental health professionals who are specifically trained and equipped for disaster responses to help. Disaster health professionals are available for emergency first aid, medical assessment, triage and replacement of emergency medications. Our Disaster Health Services team meets these needs through item distribution, financial assistance or referrals to community partners. Disaster mental health professionals in shelters and service locations provide mental health assessments, crisis intervention and a sympathetic ear to those in need. The Red Cross is an impartial, independent organization that works with partners to meet the needs of any individual or family affected by disaster. During a crisis, individuals and families need help to stay safe and sustain life, no matter what their nationality, cultural background, or citizenship status. Some disasters are natural disasters, such as floods, tornados, hurricanes, typhoons, winter storms, tsunamis, hail storms, thunderstorms, wildfires, windstorms, epidemics, and earthquakes. Human-caused disasters, which may be intentional or unintentional, include residential fires, building collapses, transportation accidents, hazardous materials releases, explosions, and domestic acts of terrorism. All of these are within the Red Cross mission. IV. Organization of the American Red Cross Red Cross national headquarters, located in Washington, D.C., is responsible for implementing policies and procedures that govern Red Cross activities and provides administrative and technical oversight and guidance to the chartered units, which include chapters and blood services regions. Each chapter has certain authority and responsibility for carrying out Red Cross disaster preparedness and response activities, delivering local Red Cross services, and meeting corporate obligations within the territorial jurisdiction assigned to it. Each chapter is familiar with the hazards of the locality and surveys local resources for personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, emergency communications, and facilities available for disaster relief. The chapter also formulates cooperative plans and procedures with local government agencies and private organizations for relief activities should a disaster occur. Through its nationwide organization, the Red Cross coordinates its total resources for use in large disasters. In order to provide these services, the Red Cross may call on the Federal, state or local government for assistance when voluntary contributions do not meet the level of need services. These requests may be in the form of direct financial assistance, reimbursement for services, and/or and agreement to purchase necessary commodities to fulfill the needs of citizenry impacted. Services are provided to those in need regardless of citizenship, race, religion, age, sex, or political affiliation. In providing disaster services, the Red Cross follows the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. V. American Red Cross Disaster Relief Assistance Red Cross emergency assistance is designed to minimize the immediate suffering caused by a disaster by providing food, clothing, shelter, first aid, and other assistance to address basic human needs. Red Cross emergency assistance may be provided either as mass care, individual assistance, or a combination of the two, depending on the victims’ needs. Mass care is provided through any combination of three integrated elements: 1) individual or congregate temporary shelters; (2) fixed or mobile feeding operations, and (3) distribution of relief supplies. Individual assistance is provided to individuals and families through the purchase of needed items and/or services or referrals to other agencies and organizations that offer assistance to disaster victims at no charge. The Red Cross also processes welfare information requests. In addition to emergency assistance, the Red Cross participates incommunity recovery programs after major disasters. The Red Cross acknowledges the role of the State in the National Response Framework, and stands ready to support the State by collaborating on state planning efforts, providing technical guidance on mass care, and assisting in determining needs for requests for support. Red Cross disaster response activities vary depending upon the nature and scope of the required response, as follows: Mass Casualty Incidents: Mass casualty incidents are usually the result of transportation accidents, fires in high-occupancy structures, industrial accidents or similar disasters. In mass casualty disasters, the Red Cross closely coordinates with the authorities at the scene (including firefighters, police, and government agencies) and representatives of the owner/operator. Depending on the nature and scope of the disaster, the needs of the victims and workers, and the response of the owner/operator, the Red Cross may engage in a number of activities to assist victims, survivors, families of victims or survivors, emergency workers or others. These services include but are not limited to shelter,food, basic first aid, andmental health services. Aviation Disasters: The Red Cross has a special role in major aviation disasters. Under the provisions of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-264), airlines, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and a “designated independent nonprofit organization” were given specific responsibilities with regard to coordinating the emotional care and support of the families of passengers involved in aviation disasters. The NTSB, as part of its Federal Family Assistance Plan for Aviation Disasters, has designated the Red Cross as the organization responsible for Family Care and Mental Health. The Red Cross has accepted this role and has specially trained staff on call on its “Critical response Team” (CRT) who initiate support within hours of a request from the NTSB for services. Hazardous Material Situations: When an actual or potential hazardous material situation results in an evacuation, the Red Cross provides emergency mass care until families can return home. If public authorities deem it necessary for families to relocate permanently, the Red Cross works with other community organizations to provide temporary mass care or casework assistance. The American Red Cross does not provide disaster assistance where government officials or agencies require building evacuation as a result of chronic deferred maintenance, code violations, radon contamination or fire hazards. The Red Cross coordinates with public health authorities with respect to health concerns and the possible need for decontamination, but the Red Cross does not engage in decontamination activities. If the Red Cross is operating evacuation shelters, evacuees and workers must undergo any necessary decontamination before they are admitted to the shelter as determined by state and local government officials. Nuclear Facility or Transportation Accidents: In the event of an evacuation due to a nuclear power plant accident or transportation accident involving radioactive materials, the Red Cross provides mass care services for the evacuees and emergency workers. The Red Cross coordinates with public health authorities with respect to health concerns and the possible need for decontamination, but the Red Cross does not engage in decontamination activities. If the Red Cross is operating evacuation shelters, evacuees and workers must undergo any necessary decontamination before they are admitted to the shelter. Civil Disorder: Situations involving civil disorder — such as riots or hostage incidents — are not within the usualscope of the Red Cross’s disaster relief activities. Nevertheless, when basic human needs are not being met as a result of civil disorder, the Red Cross may participate in community actions to supplement the efforts of civil authorities by providing mass care and other services upon request of appropriate government authorities if Red Cross resources are available. The Red Cross will provide services only in a safe and secure area. Catastrophic Incident: A catastrophic incident, as defined by the National Response Framework, is any natural or manmade incident, including terrorism, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage or disruption, and severely affects the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale and/or government functions. A catastrophic incident results in sustained national effects over a prolonged period. In a catastrophic incident or other mass care incident resulting in activation of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), the Red Cross will work closely with appropriate state and local government and non-government partners to provide mass care, including shelter, feeding, first aid, and other assistance to address basic human needs in a safe environment. Repatriation of U.S. Citizens and Dependents: During the emergency repatriation of U.S. citizens and dependents evacuated from foreign countries during emergencies, the Red Cross will, at designatedports of entry, cooperate with federal, state, local and voluntary agencies involved with their reception, temporary care and onward transportation, to provide shelter, feeding and basicfirst aid among other services. Other Events or Situations: In the event of other unforeseen events or situations in which human suffering is involved, the Red Cross will coordinate with appropriate government and non- government partners to provide mass care, including shelter, feeding, first aid, and other assistance to address basic human needs, as resources are available to assist. Cooperative Actions VI. The Red Cross and The City of Downeywill coordinate in rendering their respective disaster relief activities in the following manner: 1.Maintain close coordination, liaison, and support at all levels of both the Red Cross and The City of Downey by conferences, meetings, telephone, facsimile, e-mail, and other means. Include a representative of the other party in appropriate committees, planning groups and task forces formed to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other emergencies. Develop joint Standard Operating Procedures for notification of disaster and emergency situations. 2.Keep each other informed of and during disaster and emergency situations, the human needs created by the events, and the actions they have taken regarding service delivery. Share current data regarding disasters, disaster declarations, and changes in applicable legislation. 3.During a disaster or emergency situation the Red Cross will, as appropriate at the request of the The City of Downey, provide liaison personnel to The City of Downey Emergency Operations Center and any district Emergency Operations Centers during a disaster. The City of Downey will provide work space and, whenever possible, other required support, such a computer, e-mail access and a designated phone line for the Red Cross liaison personnel assigned to the Emergency Operations Centers. 4.Actively participate in reviewing and carrying out responsibilities outlined in the state and local emergency operations plans. During the time of disaster and readiness, keep the public informed of the cooperative 5. efforts through the public information offices of the Red Cross and The City of Downey. 6.The City of Downey recognizes that the Red Cross is dependent upon voluntary public financial donations. In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, The City of Downey will support the Red Cross and work together, as appropriate, to acquire necessary resources and identify funding sources that increase state capacity to respond to disasters and emergencies. 7.Encourage City residents to support Red Cross disaster relief with financial contributions. 8.Allocate the responsibility for joint expenses, cost reimbursed expenses, fee for service, or other mutually agreed upon reimbursable process only in writing and only in advance of any commitment. 9.Advocate for programs and public policy/decisions, when appropriate, designed to mitigate disaster damage and loss of life in The City of Downey. 10.Encourage mutual participation and coordination to maximize timely and comprehensive services to the community and mitigate duplication of efforts. 11.Encourage state residents to support the needs of hospital patients with blood donations when appropriate. 12.Actively seek to determine other areas, projects, and services within the Red Cross and The City of Downey where cooperation and support will be mutually beneficial with jointly defined goals and objectives. 13.Use or display the name, emblem, or trademarks of the American Red Cross or The City of Downey only in the case of defined projects and only with the prior express written consent of the other organization. 14.Make training, educational and other developmental opportunities available to the other party’s personnel and explore joint training and exercises. Encourage all staff and volunteers to engage in training and exercises, as appropriate. 15.Explore opportunities for collaboration to provide community, family, and citizen disaster preparedness within The City of Downey 16.Allow the use of each other’s facilities, as available and if agreed upon in writing, for the purpose of preparedness training, meetings and response and recovery activities. 17.Widely distribute this MOU within the Red Cross’ and The City of Downey departments and administrative offices and urge full cooperation. Examples of additional Cooperative Actions (as applicable): The ARC will support the [State, Commonwealth] in integrating the efforts of the non- governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide mass care services during response operations. The ARC will, as appropriate, at the request of the State/Commonwealth assist the State mass care lead agency in mass care planning and response coordination with other non- governmental organizations (NGOs). Term and Termination. VII. This MOU is effective as of December 13, 2011. It expires on December 31, 2016. Six months prior to expiration, the parties will meet to review the progress and success of the cooperative effort. In connection with such review, the parties may decide to extend this MOU for an additional period not exceeding five years, and if so shall confirm this in a signed writing. This MOU may be terminated by written notification from either party to the other at any time and for any reason or for no reason. VIII. Miscellaneous This MOU does not create a partnership or a joint venture. Neither party has the authority to bind the other to any obligation. It is not intended that this MOU be enforceable as a matter of law in any court or dispute resolution forum. The sole remedy for non-performance under this MOU shall be termination, with no damages or penalty. Signature page follows. City of Downey The American Red Cross By: By: (Signature) (Signature) Luis H. Marquez Name: Name: Mayor Title: Title: DateDate: ATTEST: ______________________________ JOYCE E. DOYLE, Interim City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: __________________________________ YVETTE M. ABICH GARCIA, City Attorney