by Pat Kondas, Community Volunteer Lead, America Red Cross of Wyoming
Wyoming has not escaped the global pandemic of COVID-19. Though Wyoming’s numbers remain low compared to other states, the virus has made itself known in the area. As of Friday, May 8, 2020, Wyoming has recorded 490 positive cases, 154 probable cases, and seven fatalities. In these precarious times, Red Cross of Wyoming has adapted response protocols to be able to keep staff and volunteers safe.
Disaster Action Team response
Unfortunately, house fires and other disasters don’t cease because there’s a pandemic going on. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, Red Cross of Wyoming DAT teams have responded to nine house fires, assisting 32 individuals. The need for social distancing has meant finding new ways to respond to such incidents. Because of the widespread area that Wyoming covers, volunteers have already had some experience responding remotely to disasters, but the new reality has added another layer of seriousness to the experience.
DAT response now means conducting interviews by phone and having a local partner like fire, police, emergency manager, or other entity verify damage. Working with a local volunteer or runner, the Client Assistance Card is activated remotely and delivered to the client. A recent example occurred in Cheyenne. On March 11, volunteer Katrina Geesman was called at 4:10 AM to respond to a house fire. As she was preparing to go out, Disaster Program Manager Gehrig Haberstock conducted the initial interview over the phone. By the time Katrina was on scene, the CAC was ready to be loaded and was provided to the client, with minimal face-to-face time required. Katrina said, “The call was easy. As a volunteer I felt well trained to help others in a disaster situation. The staff’s number one priority is to help people in need, but still keep the volunteers safe.”
Direct COVID-19 response
Because of the low rate of positive cases, Wyoming facilities have been able to respond without requiring much assistance from the Red Cross. In Natrona County, a community medical shelter has been established at a local elementary school to provide a safe and secure location for individuals awaiting results of COVID-19 tests who may not otherwise be able to self-isolate. Red Cross of Wyoming has provided cots, blankets, and comfort kits to support the shelter, which has had occupancy off and on for more than four weeks.
Requests have been made for possible support for local hospital surges with cots and blankets for medical staff who may be required to stay at the facility during a lockdown situation. Because of the low rate of infections needing hospitalization, this assistance has not been needed so far.
Additionally, some Red Cross volunteers have been helping in non-Red Cross roles packing food boxes at the Food Bank of the Rockies to support mobile pantries across Wyoming, which is a part of the First Lady of Wyoming’s Feeding Task Force.
Other activities
When not directly responding to requests for assistance, volunteers and staff have kept abreast of the situation, maintaining preparedness and training. Staff and volunteers are on multiple calls a day with various state governmental agencies, partners, and coordinators to ensure a high level of situational awareness and have been conducting presentations about the shifted Red Cross sheltering strategy and altered DAT responses. Wyoming Red Cross Executive Director Jan Daugaard spoke with Governor Mark Gordon last week and updated him about Red Cross activities in the state: “I was able to share highlights of our past year, including presentation of Lifesaving Awards and the recent modifications we have made in our service delivery due to COVID-19. The Governor expressed his appreciation for all the work that the Red Cross does across the state and his confidence in our organization.”
While Wyoming’s COVID-19 numbers remain relatively low, the level of engagement and preparedness of Red Cross of Wyoming remains high. The strategy of hoping for the best while preparing for the worst seems to be working so far.