AWRT Honors Women Reporters on the Front Lines of the Recent Fires

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to do your job from the front lines of a raging fire?

The Southern California Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT SoCal) hosted “Reporting Live From A Fire Zone,” panel and networking event, Wednesday, September 30 at 6pm at the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood, honoring the amazing women reporters on the front lines of the recent fires.





BOOKLET VIEW:
http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1044094&productId=5


(CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE IMAGE)

 A NOTE FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS:

 Today, a Level 5 operation ($2.5M to $5M), was issued in response to the tsunami that hit near American Samoa – this is the response that the American Red Cross is responding to, thanks to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  The DRF is paying for the American Samoa disaster response, so solicitations for the American Samoa event should be for the DRF.

The tsunami also affected the sovereign country of Samoa, which has their own Red Cross, the Samoan Red Cross, which is a sister society to the American Red Cross.

Situation Overview:
At 1:48 pm EST on 9/29/09, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck approximately 140 miles southwest of the main island of Tutuila in American Samoa.   95% of the population of American Samoa is on Tutuila.  The capitol city of Pago Pago was hit with multiple tsunami waves, reaching 5.1 feet.  Smaller waves hit the rest of the island.  The western district is without power, and it is estimated that it could take up to 30 days to repair.  More than half of the eastern district is without water and power.  Damage assessment on the ground has begun, significant damage to infrastructure (including power, water, industry and roads) is anticipated.  Numerous aftershocks were recorded, ranging in magnitude from 4.8 to 5.8.  CNN is reporting that at least 22 people have been confirmed as dead in American Samoa.

Information from the local chapter indicates that there is wide-spread devastation across the island, and that many coastal villages have been wiped out on the eastern and northern part of the island.  

American Red Cross Response:

• The local chapter is fine, and the national supply warehouse is also fine.  15-25 local chapter volunteers have been working to clear roads and assess damage across the island since the tsunami hit yesterday.  The local chapter is also feeding first responders on the ground.  The DOC at national headquarters was activated this morning, and will remain active at least through Friday.

• The local airport is operational, but all commercial flights have been cancelled.  We are working with our government and non-governmental partners to secure transportation for up to 50 Red Cross disaster workers to leave as soon as possible from the west coast.   These disaster workers are trained to organize and help set up a local response, utilizing the resources currently on the ground.  In addition, a staff member from the Hawaii chapter is on the ground as part of a team sent in by FEMA.

• We are working very closely with FEMA and the local government.  FEMA has sent in initial material resources including at least food, water, tents and propane.  The Red Cross will be a key partner in distributing these resources.  Our main role in the coming days is anticipated to be direct humanitarian response, focusing on feeding, and possibly sheltering, if needed.

• Safe & Well has been activated. Safe and Well is the online resources to connect United States families with families in the affected areas. This is one of Red Cross’s chartered responsibilities.

• The Red Cross is the blood supplier for the local hospital in American Samoa, LBJ Hospital.  A regular blood shipment should be arriving tonight or tomorrow.

• We are working very closely with FEMA, they are sending in material resources and are counting on Red Cross support to help distribute them.  Our main role is expected to be mass care and direct humanitarian response.

• The warehouse in American Samoa, which is paid for by the DRF, contains gloves, comfort kits, flashlights, coolers, stoves, trash bags, laundry soap and cots.

• Three of our non-governmental partners have a large presence in American Samoa: Church of Latter Day Saints, Catholic Charities and Tzu Chi Foundation.

• The main stores, and only real retail locations on the island are Ace Hardware and Cost-U-Less

TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS DISASTER RELIEF FUND, PLEASE SEND YOUR CHECK TO:

Maria Sanchez
c/o American Red Cross
836 Calle Plano
Camarillo, CA  93012

Made payable to:  American Red Cross and in the memo section:  National Disaster Relief Fund or NDRF.


Credits: The above AWRT SoCal event booklet was produced by www.StorybookProducer.com. If you would like to purchase a hard bound copy, or if you would like to make your own book, please contact Kim@StorybookProducer.com.