Donation Management The Second Disaster Lessons Learned
Monday, December 3, 2007 Record rainfall resulted from three Pacific Coast storms that slammed across much of Western Washington. Approximately 14-20 of rainfall from the super storm fell in the Willapa Hills, causing widespread record flash flooding through PeEll, Doty, Adna and finally to the cities of Chehalis, and Centralia.
Warning, what warning? Centralia was the leading edge of the National Weather Service warning system; therefore, has the least advanced warning notice. The Boistfort-Doty valley contains many farms and dairies that had insufficient advanced notice to move livestock to high ground.
Mass Destruction Over 3,000 homes received some type of water damage. Approximately 1,000 of those homes were in the major to destroyed category. Sixty-five homes in the west county area were either swept into the river or had to be destroyed.
Let the Media Circus begin Not only local media but media from across the state and country were covering the flood by radio, news paper, TV, Twitter, Facebook, and My Space.
Spontaneous Volunteers to the rescue.. You get the good, the bad and the ugly People were showing up from British Columbia to Texas to help, ready or not.
The Immediate Needs are We received life sustaining supplies such as water and food as well as cleaning supplies. covered
Wednesday, December 5, 2009 We received over three tractor trailer loads of clothing (again this event happened December 3) all kinds of clothing. This was like a garage sale gone bad. We had swimming suits, old used shoes, used underwear, dirty bedding and even wait for it... Adult toys!
IKEA couldn t organize this mess Where do you put tractor trailers full of clothing, food, building supplies, furniture, appliances and toys when you are still doing rescues?
Thank God for Lewis County United Way We opened a Depot for donated building supply items with the help of the Lewis County United Way volunteers. United Way also opened and staffed a clothing outlet. United Way also became our financial accountants for the donated funds. of Lewis County
Way too many clothes The United Way clothing outlet closed after three weeks. There were three tractor trailers worth of used clothes to be distributed to Goodwill, The Salvation Army and other charities.
The Depot expands locations The original building supply Depot remained open. Secondary Area Depots started popping up in Centralia, Adna, Boistfort and Doty. These Area Depots started receiving carpeting, dry wall, lumber, cleaning supplies, insulation, doors and windows and assorted other building supplies.
We are CRAZY about furniture We started receiving furniture but people didn t think about where these flood affected people were going to put this stuff since their homes were not livable. The Chehalis Fraternal Order of Eagles, that s where
This furniture is RED The Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) building caught fire. We lost the last of our donated furniture and appliances in the fire as well as all of our donation management records.
Oprah to the rescue This started a second media frenzy Oprah s Big Give, Sleep Country USA and Quality Rentals came into play and we had to find another REALLY BIG place to distribute furniture quick.
The birth of the Furniture Nest Luckily, Yard Birds offered us a large space free of charge. The media was all over this and caused even more issues The Media Parade comes to Chehalis and it was all caught on tape and broadcasted live
Lets fill the Furniture Nest When they said Oprah s Big Give they weren t just talking about the amount but the size of the furniture too
The furniture leaves the Nest After receiving new donated furniture and appliances from several large furniture companies, KIRO 7 and Oprah s Big Give, trouble began
Trouble is a brewing. Frustration Impatience Entitlement Greed Verbal altercations Fist d Cuffs
I must shut down, but you can t The Depot remained open with building supplies until United Way workers could no longer provide their services and had to go back to their real jobs (about two month more). shut down
Lessons Learned Volunteers Direct all volunteers to one location for processing (response and recovery) If you don t register volunteers normally, then don t try to start in an emergency. If using volunteers, have them complete the Temporary Emergency Worker Registration form (insured). If possible, verify credentials with other volunteer agency affiliation. If using employment services for additional help, have the agency provide back ground criminal history checks on all referrals. Use regular staff as the contact for the volunteers. Use the media to inform the public on volunteer opportunities and procedures.
Lessons Learned Donations Use the media to control donations Ask for monetary donations if possible (easier to work with) Set up with a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization for monetary donations Set limits on what you will take as donations and learn to say Thanks, but no thanks. Set up a warehouse using ICS with 1 manager and 2 assistant managers (receiving and distribution). If possible, use an existing organization with manpower to operate a donations warehouse. Everything is first come first serve and no layaways or returns.
Lessons Learned Warehouse Location Fire, varmint / pest inspections on building Provide a security team at all warehouse locations Location with space for a private office, break room, bathrooms, loading dock, open storage space, and a waiting room for clients Limited access to building If possible, all on one floor Provide custodial service for unwanted donations Set certain times for receiving donations and location. Loading dock traffic control
Lessons Learned Client Services Use a verification system to identify the effected population using photo ID. Cross check addresses for multi-family living combinations. Use a needs assessment team to assist and verify clients needs. Keep back up records of inventory and client services forms. New items arriving can cause entitlement issues do not advertise! Prepare a flyer with warehouse information / loading dock rules & requirements.
Don t take a bite out of someone else s apple, it becomes yours!
Ross McDowell Deputy Director Lewis County Division of Emergency Management Office (360) 740-1310 Fax (360)740-1471 ross.mcdowell@lewiscountywa.gov