American Red Cross
We would like to thank our many awesome volunteers for being the hands and feet of Christ during our recent shelter operation for Hurricane Ike evacuees. So many people were positively impacted by your overwhelming generosity and willingness to serve. Thank You!
Bear Creek UMC is a registered Red Cross Shelter. We are activated only when called upon by the American Red Cross. After Hurricane Rita in September 2005, Bear Creek UMC utilized 493 volunteers who worked 3,536 hours during 18 days of shelter operation. After Hurricane Ike in September 2008, Bear Creek UMC utilized 502 volunteers representing 352 families who worked a total of 5,246 hours over the 18-day period that we operated as a shelter. For a full report and statistics on our Hurricane Ike shelter operation, click here.
How is Bear Creek UMC activated as a Red Cross Shelter?
Red Cross Disaster Services works closely with all local governmental entities, i.e., Emergency Management Offices – including police, sheriff, fire departments, Harris County Flood Control, Houston/Galveston Weather Bureau, etc.
Upon Knowledge of “individuals with immediate, emergency living needs caused by any disaster situation” Red Cross Disaster Services activates and begins immediate determination of the following:
- The approximate location/boundaries of the disaster damage
- The approximate numbers of families that are affected
- The types of emergency living needs
- The likelihood of a shelter being needed
Once some determination has been made that a Red Cross shelter should be opened, a facility will be decided upon based on: type of disaster, location of shelter facility in relation to families in need, size of shelter, facility, etc.
Red Cross will call the contact individual at the selected facility. Communication then occurs between Bear Creek UMC and the Red Cross regarding need for shelter. Red Cross or Bear Creek UMC can initiate the communication. An “opening time” will be determined by mutual agreement of Red Cross and the Bear Creek representative. The facility contact person will then notify the shelter team that the shelter is going to be opening.
Bear Creek UMC activates the “Shelter Team” and plans for the following functions to be covered:
- Shelter Management Logistics
- Registration Sleeping/Dorm Management
- Feeding Client Services
- Health Services Staff Recruitment/Placement
Red Cross activates Mass Care/Logistics support volunteers for Red Cross headquarters.
Red Cross communicates with the following:
- Red Cross Disaster Public Affairs for media contact
- Government liaison for pertinent related disaster information
- Other resources pertinent/applicable for response situation, i.e., Houston Food Bank, SPCA, communications personnel for ham radio operators, etc.
Bear Creek UMC and Red Cross maintain on-going communication throughout shelter operations.
What type of event might occur that would cause Bear Creek UMC to be activated as a shelter?
Good question. Generally any thing that would displace a large number of people from their homes such as apartment fire, explosion, tornado or hurricane.
Volunteer Registration
To be added to our volunteer list, please complete the registration process by clicking on the button below.
once you click the "Register" button, please complete the form, save it to your desktop and add it as an attachment in an email to the church office
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of functions does a Red Cross Shelter provide?
Why do we have to wait for the Red Cross to activate us? What if we want to help now?
If Bear Creek UMC is activated as a shelter how long will it be open?
Can I choose the days and times I want to volunteer?
I only have a couple of hours to volunteer. Is it worth it to the shelter to volunteer?
Can I choose the type of work I’d like to do?
Do I need any type of special training to volunteer at the shelter?
What if I have a specialized skill such as nurse, EMT, law enforcement, counselor, mechanic, veterinary, computers, cooking, etc? Could the shelter use my skills?
What other jobs are there to do at a shelter?
Do shelter residents help out at the shelter?
I’d like to volunteer but what do I do with my own kids?
What if I sign up and can’t make it?
Okay! You convinced me, I want to volunteer if Bear Creek is activated what should I do?