[Fallback planning]ARC - Y2K public sheltering plans ( Michigan )...

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* * * 19990919 Sunday

Subject: ARC ( American Red Cross )- Y2K public sheltering plans ( Michigan )...

1. The ARC rep at the Y2K "Community Conversation" (this past Thursday) said that they've been working, and continue to work, with churches, school districts, etc. to establish (pre-stage?) Y2K shelters if circumstances warrant.

Q. 1: Can _anyone_ confirm this ARC assertion ( e.g., date/time of meetings/calls and/or the minutes from these asserted contacts )? I'm contacted by many private and government organizations in SE Michigan. They are not aware of ARC public shelter plans. ( Another Y2K "feel good" lie to keep the sheep quiet?! )

2. The ARC rep also asserted that they would make public announcements re Y2K public shelter locations via media ( i.e., TV, radio ) about 3-5 days before Y2K roll-over.

Q. 2.: Again, can anyone _confirm_ this assertion?

Q. 3.: What is the ARC "Fallback planning" if Y2K infrastructure failures go beyond the 3-7 day scenario? ( I haven't seen any evidence that any Emergency Organizations are thinking outside of the "3-7 day" box! )

Aside Q. 4.: Why do public, tax funded Emergency Organizations hold "SECRET"/"CLOSED" meetings? ( Doesn't this violate public meetings acts? )

Aside Q. 5.: How can these organizations be FORCED to open up to the public! ( The assertion that such plans are "sensitive" and give "terrorists a look at their 'hand'" doesn't wash in an "open", Constitutional republic! )

Regards, Bob Mangus

* * *

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus1@yahoo.com), September 19, 1999

Answers

there was a thread on this a few weeks back. A fellow who was on BofD for his church confirmed they had been contacted by ARC and he gave the specifications needed for the shelter. Maybe search the archive. taz

-- Taz (Tassie@aol.com), September 19, 1999.

At the Oakland "Shared Solutions," the Rev. David Kitely, senior pastor of Shiloh Christian Fellowship, reported that his church (in inner city Oakland) was selected by the ARC as a Y2K shelter - that they had a kitchen and could set up 600 cots. A generator is being provided (one of the 1,000 purchased by FEMA for the ARC?), and food is being readied. He said that seniors could then be transported from senior centers, etc. However, this is a very small capacity for an entire city. I wonder if there are more?

-- (snoozin@no.more), September 19, 1999.

Wonder if such TV and radio announcements would be the trigger that causes the herd to stampede?

-- LauraA (Laadedah@aol.com), September 19, 1999.

Robert,

Our church national headquarters (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) and the American Red Cross reached an agreement earlier this year where local congregations are encouraged to offer their facilities as shelters in conjunction with the Red Cross. On Aug 4, we had local (Cincinnati) Disaster Specialist audit our church facility. On Sept 15, we had congregational mtg with same ARC Disaster Specialist and Regional Disaster Preparedness Director.

Comments (not really answers to your questions)

1. ARC said that in time of any emergency people seek a safe haven at churches, schools, fire dept, police dept etc. They welcomed the opportunity to work with our church to establish a shelter. The Cininnati Region of the Red Cross is responsble for about 20+ counties in the localtri-state Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana and want to establish pre-emergency agreements for more shelters.

2. Local ARC stuck to their position on a 1 week stockpile for Y2K. When I asked why their own literature for other disatsters recommend 2 weeks of stock they got alittle testy but said that 2 weeks would not be imprudent but they felt it would not be necesary to stock that much. They also said that for first 2-3 days people might be on their own or we may open our shelter prior to their arrival. THe ARC offered training in various areas.

3. ARC says they will keep a shelter staffed and supplied for duration of an emergency. They have open ended agreeents with local hardware supplies like Home Depot, Lowes, etc. They are radio contact with state EMS and FEMA and will coordiante minimalist basic needs for the duration.

4. I have no info on closed meetings. Perhaps you are referring to the fact that ARC sits on Koskinen's Y2K Council.

-- Bill P (porterwn@one.net), September 19, 1999.


1) While my chapter may have a large rep as an over- internally- politicized chapter, it has NEVER to my knowledge held a CLOSED meeting in terms of disaster preparedness. Are you KIDDING?? We WELCOME people. The more the merrier and maybe some will actually VOLUNTEER and SHOW UP in case of problems.

4) Please don't mistake ARC for a federally funded emergency Assistance Agency. the ARC funds come from:
1) United Way
2) Local "Planned Giving"/Trusts
3) Local foundations
4) Local Fund Raising
PERIOD.


Chuck been there, fought the dollar battle, lost the funding battle, won the funding battle

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), September 19, 1999.


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