Bill Carlson and William Keller head up our Disaster Services Unit, along with a group of 30 Disaster Action Team Members. The York-Poquoson chapter of the American Red Cross is responsible for over 60,000 residents in Poquoson and York County. This includes providing emergency food, shelter, and clothing to clients that have been affected by disaster. While this is a large area, county residents are also well served by professional fire companies, basic life support units, advanced life support units, and local police departments.

Disaster Relief: Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting the immediate emergency needs of people affected by disaster. 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 activities is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster. This assistance enables victims of disasters to resume living independently by providing the means to pay for what they need most, such as groceries, new clothing, temporary housing, emergency home repairs, transportation, basic household items, medicines, and occupational tools. The Red Cross also helps those needing long-term recovery assistance when all other resources, such as insurance benefits and government assistance, are not available or are inadequate. The Red Cross also feeds families and emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to find other available resources. All Red Cross disaster relief is provided free of charge as a gift from the American people. It is made possible by generous contributions of people's time, money, and skills.

Planning for Action: Long before a disaster strikes the Red Cross plans what it will do. A disaster response plan identifies what it will take to respond to various disasters, what resources are needed, and how they will be coordinated and used. As part of the planning process, Red Cross chapters also practice by participating in drills and exercises. Such planning enables chapters to respond efficiently and effectively.

Preparing to Respond: Every Red Cross chapter works continuously to be ready to respond by coordinating and collaborating with its disaster partners. As part of this process, chapters identify places to set up shelters and service centers, make arrangements with vendors for needed supplies, and work with local merchants. The ability to respond also depends on having people who are trained and ready. Each year the Red Cross trains thousands of people who can then provide consistent, quality services to people affected by disasters.

Public Safety: The Red Cross is involved in helping individuals and families learn how to get ready, stay safe, cope, and recover from disasters through Community Disaster Education. The more you know, the better you'll be able prepare for and deal with a disaster, if it strikes.