SW MT American Red Cross meeting, Montana

Start Date: 11/05/2019

Description:

American Red Cross (Gallatin, Park, and Madison Counties) Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2019 – 5:30 to 7:00 PM
JC Billion, Cottonwood and Fallon, Jeep Building

Attendees:
Louise Weldon, Jim Weldon, Bill Racicot, Linda Racicot, Carl Nichols, Robin Cory, Ernie Lytle, Kerri Strasheim, Mandy deGignac, Kris Nichols, and Katherine McBee (on the phone)
Guests: Mary Martin, Sarah Beams and Dax (representing HOPE AACR)
Introductions were made welcoming the new volunteers: Martin Coleman, Cindy Bender (on the phone), Allison Rezak, an Karl and Janine Mahn

New Newsletter: Linda reviewed highlights of the new newsletter that comes on a quarterly basis.

CPR training: A blended class will be done, with the classroom part completed after the DAT meeting on Jan. 7.

COAD Meeting – Kris reported that the Committee is continuing to refine the process. Looking into whether LEPC should be combined with COAD. Tabletop exercises will be done in the future.

Sheltering Update – Louise and Ernie have had difficulty in contacting BHS. Kris and Janine noted that the armories have been remediated of lead, making them available for sheltering.

Rotary Fall Fix Up Festival - Ernie: 6 residents were assisted with smoke alarms. Some of the project managers were not aware that we were coming, and did not inform the residents.

Bed Shaker Alarm: Bill brought the bed shaker alarm and showed how it worked.

Signature Smoke Alarm Event in Belgrade and Bozeman: The event will take place on May 1 and 2. Kerri will contact the Fire Department to get their partnership and find out locales that are issues for them.

Fire Responses: – There were three fires in the area this month. Linda gave a brief synopsis on the situations. No major issues were identified with any of the fires. There was also a fire in W. Yellowstone today involving four families. Linda will take lead, and be assisted by Louise, Allison and Bill. Mary from HOPE AACR mentioned that HOPE dog teams are available for support during these fire calls, at which Linda said she would check with the West Yellowstone family contact person about that opportunity.***
During the winter (Nov 1 to March 31), should there be no hotels available, the Warming Center has agreed to shelter fire clients. Call 406.587.4188 to make arrangements at any time. Kris will contact HRDC in Livingston to see if the same arrangement can be made there. Martin will follow up with Sacks and Good Will for discounts for our clients.

SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE HAS CLOSED.

Holiday Parties – The annual potluck party will be at Linda’s house on December 8 at 5:00. The annual Red Cross appreciation dinner will be January 11 (this is a change) at Fork and Spoon.

Next meeting updates:
1. COAD meeting Nov 20 at 1:00 at Gallatin Co Emergency Building on Tamarack – Kris will attend
2. Park Co LEPC meeting at 11:00 on Nov 14 at City County Complex – Community Room – Kris will attend
3. Next ARC Meeting: Tuesday, December 3, 2019, 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Billion Conference Room

*** The West Yellowstone families displaced by a community fire, declined the need for HOPE canines at this time.

Agency: American Red CRoss
Teams:

Sarah Beams & Dax


Region: