Emergency Community Services

Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to provide disaster relief and mitigation. Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters. Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently. Training keeps the unit prepared to open shelters when needed as demonstrated during the ice storm in December 2005. Last year, 376 individuals were assisted as the result of 108 disasters including flooding during a tropical storm. In September 2005, the Red Cross was a lead agency of Spartanburg Cares, a local consortium to aid the evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. The chapter assisted 125 families who were forced to evacuate the Gulf Coast following the storm.
 Disaster Services is managed by a partnership of paid employees and disaster volunteers. The chapter has a committee of 25 dedicated volunteers who formulate the local disaster plan, survey potential shelters, produce merchant agreements, train volunteers, etc.

National Links:

• National Disaster Website
• National AFES Site
• International Services
• Measles Initiative
• Terrorism - Preparing for the unexpected

Additional Links:

• Disaster Relief - Emergency Community Services
• Education/Training - We offer a variety of educational opportunities designed for all ages.
• Armed Forces Emergency Services - The Red Cross is able to deliver messages to active duty military about family emergency situations like illness, death, birth or financial need. 

International Social Services:

We provide assistance to locate or communicate with family members separated by conflict or other extenuating situations.

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