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1986-019RESOLUTION 86-19 STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS PURPOSE This statement is issued by the City of SOUTHLAKE an,:l the American Red Cross, Tarrant County Chapter, to insure understanding and agreement on interpretation and implementa- tion of disaster relief responsibilities. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The responsibilities of the American Red Cross and Disaster Emergency Services in disaster situations are authorized and defined by federal and state statutes and are reaffirmed in an agreement between the AMERICAN RED CROSS AND THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA), date, -3 March 7, 1973, and Public Law 91-606 and legislation relating to civil defense and disaster operations. RESPONSIBLITIES IN NATURAL DISASTERS A. Disaster Emergency Services Disaster Emergency services, being an integral function of City Government, is responsible for the coordination of all groups, both public and private, participating in a natural disaster relief operation. The functions carried out by these groups include: 1. Protection of persons and property: This function includes restoring communications and public trans- portation, caring for the dead and injured, con- trolling traffic, protecting property, rescuing the helpless, fighting fires, maintaining law and order, clearing the streets, supplying water and food, and performing other duties under government's responsi- bility of protecting life and property and health of the public. 2. Administration of requests for assistance: This function includes the receipt, processing and expediting of requests for assistance from agencies or organizations outside the particular jurisdiction except requests between Red Cross units. page 2 - Statement of Understanding 3. Other: Due to the Jack of other existing government agencies primarily concerned with specific disaster operations, Disaster Emergency Services - in addition to its coordinating authority - has a more direct operational responsibility in such matters as: 1) warning, (2) rescue, (3) evacuation. B. The American Red Cross The Act of Congress (Act of January 5, 1905, 33 Sta. 599), T+ as amended (36 U. S. Code Section 1 and. following), con- stituting the American Red Cross charter requires the Red Cross to undertake relief activities for the purpose of mitigating suffering caused by disaster and obligates the Red Cross -to develope-_and_car-r-y out_ measures__to__prev_ent____ such suffering. Public Law 91-606 in no way affects the" legal status or restricts the authority and purposes of the American Red Cross, as set forth in the Act. In carrying out the purposes of Public Law 91-606, the president and any federal, state or local government may, by contract or otherwise, accept and utilize the services and facilities of the Red Cross and may distribute or render through the Red Cross medicines, food and other consumable supplies or emergency assistance. 1. American Red Cross aid to disaster victims is not dependent upon a Presidential declaration of a major disaster but is provided__regardless of the size of the catastrophe or the number of people involved. 2. Through a program of disaster preparedness and relief by American Red Cross chapters and divisions and areas throughout the country, the Red Cross provides disaster victims with food, clothing, shelter, first aid and supplementary medical, nursing.and hospital care and meets other urgent immediate needs. This help may be provided on the basis of mass care in shelters and at feeding stations -and aid stations. 3. The Red Cross also provides food and first aid services for emergency workers, provides blood and _blood products for disaster victims and handles inquiries from concerned families outside the disaster area.. page 3 - Statement of Understanding k 4. Help for disaster victims may also be provided on an individual family basis - with funds or purchase orders issued to families for food, clothing, medi- cal care, health items, essential household furnish- ings, urgently needed occupational supplies and equipment, emergency rentals for housing, trans- portation and temporary minor repairs to homes so that they can be reoccupied. 5. The Red Cross will assist in providing information about federal and other resources available for additional assistance to disaster victims and will refer families to such resources. The Red Cross will assist families in assembling needed informa- tion for applications-far---such-aid and -will them in processing their application if the families ask for such assistance. 6. When there is no Presidential Declaration of a major disaster or when such Declaration has been made but a family is not eligible for government benefits, Red Cross assistance may also include other recovery needs in addition to the emergency help already given. In such cases, the need for hell) will be determined by an individual caseworker process. 7. All Red Cross disaster aid is on a grant basis, with no request for or expectation of - repayment. Be- cause administrative responsibility and financial control are inseparable, the Red Cross requires that all funds utilized by it in extending relief will be expended in accordance with its established policies. RESPONSIBILITIES IN ENEMY -CAUSED DISASTERS AND NATURAL DISASTERS A. iDisaster-Emergency Services The responsibility for the developing and execution of a plan of Disaster Emergency Services in the United States for the protection of life and property and post -attack recovery has been designated by the Congress to be a joint - responsibility of the federal government, the several states and their political subdivisions. Accordingly, in event of an enemy -caused disaster, Disaster Emergency Services reponsibilities include: page 4 - Statement of Understanding 1. Direction of all phases of the operation. 2. Utilization of all community agencies, including the Red Cross. 3. Execution of financial responsibility for the program in accordance with existing Disaster Emergency Services policies. B. The American Red Cross The American Red Cross recognizes that, in an enemy - caused disaster, the protection and care of families and individuals is a basic responsibility of government. In this connection, Red Cross chapters have agreed to assist, to the extent of their ability,- in --the development -and - - - ---^ `--- operation of a program of Disaster Emergency Services on national., state and local levels. In such planning and participation, it is recognized that the Red Cross volunteers wilt serve under the direction and leadership of duly ap- pointed Disaster Emergency Services authorities. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS POLICY IN SITUATIONS CAUSED BY CIVIL DISORDER Where there is suffering resulting from civil disorders - and fundamental human needs are not being met - the Red Cross will participate in community action to supplement the effort of the responsible civil authorities in extending emergency services and- relief to the victims of---such--disturbances. - However-,_ when -- -- -------- there are, in the view of the Red Cross, fundamental human needs which are not being met and there is no indication that either the community or responsible authorities are aware of these needs or are making an effort adequately to meet them, the Red Cross chapter - with the support and approval of the national organi- zation - will inform all appropriate authorities of the emergency needs and of recommended Red Cross proposals and the Red Cross will carry out such proposals to the greatest extent possible. In instances of major civil disorder, the American Red.Cross may provide volunteer services but all financial obligations generated must be assumed by state and/or local government in those situations where government has requested the assistance of the American Red Cross. r page 5 - Statement of Understanding LIAISON Continuous liaison, mutual planning and exchange of information will be maintained between the State Coordinator of Disaster Emergency Services, state departments and agencies with dis- aster responsibilities and the American Red Cross. A similar relationship between political subdivisions and Red Cross chapters will be encouraged. A. In carrying out its natural disaster welfare responsibilities, the Red Cross chapters will utilize available locally en- rolled Disaster Emergency Services volunteers so they may gain experience which may be helpful in carrying out their responsibilities in enemy -caused disasters. In such in- stances,_. Disaster Emergence Services volunteers will serve _ under the direction and leadership of theReCross. B. In natural disaster situations, Disaster Emergency Services and Red Cross have a joint responsibility to keep the public informed in relation to the disaster. Accordingly, Disaster Emergency Services and Red Cross agree that: 1. Direct liaison between Disaster Emergency Services and Red Cross will be maintained during all disaster oper- ations for the exchange of information pertaining to each organization's activities. 2. Every effort will be made by each organization to insure that --information disseminated -by--it-relates--- solely to its responsibility. This formal understanding provides a frame of reference within which the City of SOUTHLAKE and the Red Cross, Tarrant County Chapter, will cooperate to carry out assigned responsi- bilities for disaster relief in the State. IN .WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Statement of Understanding on the dates indicated. City of SOUTHLAKE BY: z ayo, Ci - out DAT M rch 4,1986 v AT EST: tJjo City-Secretary American Red Cross BY: DATE: