Situation Report: American Samoa. Day 6.
Sunday, October 18, 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 5: Thursday 10/8/09.
Short & Sweet
Began the day with one plan and schedules changed. There were visible signs that the previous day's Tsunami Watch/Warning had more than rattled the nerves of many. Teachers and students alike were impacted.
People are shaky and the students are nervous too. I even believe that one of the last things I said to a group of teachers was that they needed to be honest and truthful and if a student asked could this happen again? Then we need to tell the truth and say we don't know. It could happen but this what we are doing to be safe and need you to let us know what helps you to feel safe.
Today mostly in Pago Pago Village with families and individuals in need:
The emotional aftermath is very real.
It is great working together with excellently trained Mental Health members and collaborating partners within the Community. No one is an Island. Sleep is calling soon.
Tomorrow the funerals of the children of the Samoan village of Leone.
Tim Tim Serban, SRT Manager, DRO 560 A. Samoa Sent from my mobile device
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