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DISASTER RESPONSE AND Ravi Rf•tISE Rf U <br /> Shelter from the Storm <br /> By Adam Devito <br /> On February 8, 2013 20 members of AmeriCorps w <br /> Cape Cod program were deployed to local shelters. w � <br /> After having worked the shelters for Hurricane Sandy, <br /> the members were not expecting a large number of r t <br /> clients to enter the shelter. After the first night, <br /> however, with the storm showing no signs of slowing, <br /> the members knew they were going to be in it for the <br /> N , <br /> long haul. Since homes were without power for such ` <br /> extended periods of time, people began flooding into <br /> the shelters in order to stay warm. <br /> AmeriCorps members were an integral part of the <br /> r, <br /> staffing and general procedures at the shelters during <br /> this storm. The members were used in all aspects of <br /> the sheltering process. As clients arrived, members <br /> were there to greet and register them in order to keep <br /> the numbers accurate. From here, depending on the <br /> client's condition, they had one of two destinations. <br /> If the client was in good health, they would be sent to <br /> the gym. In the gym, AmeriCorps members, in <br /> conjunction with the American Red Cross and <br /> Community Emergency Response Team(CERT), <br /> would set up cots for the clients and get them settled <br /> for the evening. This is where the majority of the <br /> clients were sent. If the clients were special concern, �4 <br /> they would be sent to the Medical Reserve Corps <br /> (MRC) where they would be evaluated. With over - <br /> 200 people entering the shelter over the course of 2 <br /> days, the AmeriCorps members were absolutely Dennis-Yarmouth <br /> essential to the operations of these shelters. We <br /> were able to not only set up the cots for the clients, <br /> but also keep them calm and attempt to answer any questions they may have had. <br /> The days were long to say the least. The staff at the shelters were working 5 hours on, 5 hours off. This system left our <br /> members exhausted, but the service we provided kept our spirits high. Many of the clients that entered the shelter were <br /> elderly and needed a lot of assistance. Because the cots were so low to the ground,AmeriCorps members would run <br /> from cot to cot and help these clients to their feet and guide them to their destination. This work was exhausting,but <br /> extremely rewarding because of the gratitude that many of the clients showed for the help. The storm took the entire <br /> Cape by surprise, and the power outages and cold weather forced many more people into the shelters than expected. The <br /> operations at the shelters would not have been the same without the help of AmeriCorps Cape Cod. <br /> 14 <br />