Situation Report: American Samoa. Day 1.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
by Tim Serban
Situation Report: American Samoa
American Red Cross volunteer Tim Serban was deployed to American Samoa Friday, October 2 as member of the National Red Cross Response Team. Tim is the Director of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care with Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, WA and has been a volunteer with Red Cross since 1999. His first volunteer training with the Red Cross was in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. Tim is thumb-typing these reports and sending them home using his iPod mobile device--when connections are available.
Thanks to Tim's home Chapter in Washington State for sharing these reports with us here in Arizona.
Notes From: Tim Serban American Red Cross Spiritual Care Response Team (SRT) Lead Disaster Relief Operation (DRO) 560-Am. Samoa
DAY 1: Saturday 10/3/09
Action report briefing from military included warnings about tsunami washing sand away uncovering many unexploded WWII ordinance, advising volunteers to shut off cell phones immediately, mark the spot and call the military EOD teams. Not expected and not grounded here in the island.
We arrived via USAF C-17 "Spirit of Kamehameh" into American Samoa after an 11 hour hold in Hawaii and a 5.5 hour flight. We came to our shelter, an outdoor, covered gymnasium aptly named Ionnnes Paules II (John Paul II) at 4 a.m. A quick rest and wake at 7 a.m. off to the HQ--a tent with a warehouse and office that was created by welding two 40 ft cargo containers together side by side.
Connected with Mental Health, Client Services and Partner Services leads. Was informed about VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) meeting at 1pm with Partner Services. Attended Partner Services meeting/call with National VOAD. Local UCC (United Church of Christ) Pastor and key local leaders, 10 people including FEMA and DSHH Reps. Addressed need for emotional support of those impacted. Plan to go out tomorrow to support men in grief with another MH (Mental Health) ARC member. LBJ hospital to refer those who have been hospitalized and released to us to follow, especially men and those who have lost children for follow-up.
Also was able to check and confirm two local families living in high impact areas were safe and well. They were families of staff from my home hospital in Everett.
By the way I have connectivity in, where else, the only McDs (McDonalds) on the island and primary source of sustenance for us.
Tim Serban, ARC SRT lead DRO 560 Samoa
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