RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS ON THE SCENE AT ECHELON PLANE CRASH

From Kevin & Sandy McCoy, Disaster Volunteers

February 18 & 19, 2010 – Echelon Plane Crash and Fire

Today Sandy and I received a ping from Fred and Marcia Marks that there was an airplane that had flown into a building on Research Boulevard.  It made the national news and left the city stunned.

The on-call Mass Care Action Team - Bill Saul, Derek Clarkson, Marcia and Fred Marks arrived on scene with the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and a pickup at 12:45 PM. We began serving snacks and water to all of the first responders. In addition to Fire, Police and EMS, federal agencies such as the FBI and NTSB were there as well as Travis County Emergency Services.

Incident Command ordered 100 pizzas which were delivered at about 3:30pm and distributed out of the ERV. Bill and Derek used the pickup to gather feeding materials that we found that we needed which were donated by a local Walgreens. In addition, Bill and Jose visited Sam's, Krispy Kreme and Plucker's to pick up dinner and coffee for this evening.  

Incident Command ordered Jason's Deli sandwich boxes which were delivered at 6:30 and distributed out of the ERV.

Kevin and Sandy McCoy and Tim Garland relieved us at 7 PM and will cover things tonight. 

 Tim Garland serves Pizza from the ERV

Until about midnight, Firefighters were still crawling through the building in search of a missing person (IRS employee Mr. Vernon Hunter, 68, later found deceased). The Firefighters were kind enough to stop by and say thanks as they left the scene.

Sandy and Tim get a Hot Wings delivery ready to serve.

It's after midnight and we are still getting traffic from responders (Fire, APD, AFD, FBI) at this time. 

Fred and Marcia should be back to relieve us at 7AM, while another team works to get breakfast ready.

Stay Safe,

Kevin & Sandy

The American Red Cross of Central Texas would like to thank all our volunteers who worked this disaster for their dedication.  We would also like to thank the following restaurants for their donations of food and beverages for First Responders, allowing them to work around the clock securing the scene:

Pluckers Wing Bar

Schlotzsky's

Thundercloud Subs

Krispy Kreme

Starbucks

Taco Cabana

Whataburger 

Walgreens

A LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM AN EVERYDAY HERO

To Whom it May Concern at the Central Texas Red Cross Organization,

The first time I walked into the Apple facility here in Austin as an employee, I was taken to an orientation class where Marshall Duke was presenting. He mentioned the ERT team in Austin and I was immediately interested. I have been involved in ERT since February of 2008 and I've re-certified yearly with the ARC of Central Texas group.

On a Saturday within the last year, I was at Apple taking Professional Application Support calls along with my fellow employees. In a quiet moment during the day, I heard my coworker, Sean, say in a panicked voice, "Steve! Steve!"

 

I turned around to see Steve unconsciously falling backwards and blood coming out of the corners of his mouth. I jumped into action and instantly went thru the routines we practiced again and again in class. I made sure Steve was clear of any immediate dangers. 

 

Then I pointed at my coworker and said, "You, call 911, let them know someone has gone unconscious."  

 

Steve started shaking and convulsing on the ground and it looked like he hit his head on the desk while he was collapsing to the ground. I pointed at another coworker, asked for the AED and to contact security. When the first aid kit and AED arrived, I put on the gloves and as I looked back at Steve, he stopped shaking and he wasn't breathing. I checked for signs of life and got ready for CPR. In the last of the ten seconds I listened for signs of life, Steve started snoring. I've never been so happy and relieved to hear someone snore. At that point, Steve was no longer seizing andI put him in the recovery position to clear his airway of fluid. At that point the phone operator gave the direction to put Steve in the recovery position he was already in. I was relieved to not have to make any more decisions with the operator on the line and the ambulance was on its way. 

 

Steve regained consciousness sometime before the ambulance arrived and had to be calmed. He was scared, had no idea where he was and he was more confused with each question he was asked. Eventually the response team arrived and took him to a local hospital.

Steve is okay today and I can't thank ARC of Central Texas or Apple enough for providing the training necessary to get immediate care to my friend. It ended up that Steve had lost a considerable amount of weight, but his insulin dosage did not change. A trip to the emergency room and a couple days stay in the hospital got him fixed up and his diabetes back in control. 

 

The next time I saw Steve he came from the hospital to Apple to talk to his boss. I was happy to see him upright and himself. I went to shake his hand, but he would have none of that. He wanted a bear hug.

Thank you so much for putting together these programs. Thank you to all the employees that put that together. Thank you. Thank you. I could never thank you enough for giving me the right tools to do the right thing, right away. I'm sure Steve feels the same way or pretty close to it.

Sincerely,

Andy Graham
AppleCare Professional Application Support    

PHONE CALL SCAM REQUESTING FUNDS FOR HAITI MENTIONS RED CROSS

Beginning Sunday evening, February 21, individuals residing in the service area of the American Red Cross of Central Texas, as well as Chapters throughout the state have been receiving recorded messages requesting donations to support Haiti relief.  The caller is requesting donations to the “US Red Cross.” 

The American Red Cross does not call people in the middle of the night to ask them for financial contributions for Haiti or any program.  Our national headquarters is investigating the source of these calls.  Our apologies are extended to anyone who has received one of these calls.

For more information, contact Marty McKellips at 512.929.1293.

PLUCKERS WING BAR DONATES $10,000 FOR HAITI RELIEF

In addition to their wonderful donation of food for first responders on the scene of the plane crash in Austin yesterday, locally owned and operated Plucker's Wing Bar gave a big boost to Haiti Relief today with their $10,000 donation to the Red Cross.  We are are so grateful to Pluckers for their continuing support and we look forward to partnering with them on some fun future events.  Did we mention how good their food is?

 

Co-owners Dave Paul (left) and Sean Greenberg (right) present Chief Development Officer Debbie Immel with a $10,000 check for Haiti Relief.

MILITARY FAMILY CONNECTIONS MEETING

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CENTRAL TEXAS

 

Red Cross Military Family Connections Meeting

Thursday, February 25, 2010

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

American Red Cross of Central Texas

Building B

2218 Pershing Drive

Austin, Texas 78723

512/ 929-1229

We invite you to attend our monthly group meetings. They are informative, and a great way to meet people and create a strong support network.

This meeting is designed to support the members of military families, active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve and veterans in our community with information and resources.

We will talk about the impact of deployments on everyone in the family – spouses, fiancees, children, parents, etc.

Everyone who has been on a deployment, who may be deployed or who has a loved one in either of those categories is encouraged to become a part of this network

Free on-site childcare and dinner are provided.

RSVP to:  
Glenn Greenwood, Service to the Armed Forces Manager

512.929.1229 or ggreenwood@centex.redcross.org

OUR AUSTIN HEADQUARTERS:
American Red Cross of Central Texas
2218 Pershing Dr, Austin, TX 78723

MAP

Driving Directions:

From the north: From IH 35, take Airport Boulevard east. Turn left onto Manor Road. Turn right at E.M. Franklin/Pershing Drive (second stoplight). The Red Cross will be directly in front of you; take E.M. Franklin around the left side of the property to enter the parking lot.

From the south: From IH 35, take Manor Road east. Turn right at E.M. Franklin/Pershing Drive (second stoplight past Airport Boulevard). The Red Cross will be directly in front of you; take E.M. Franklin around the left side of the property to enter the parking lot.

RED CROSS RESPONDING TO NORTHWEST AUSTIN PLANE CRASH

We are responding to a plane crash at the Echelon building in Northwest Austin at 183 and Mopac. We believe that at least one residence has been affected in addition to the office building. Our emergency response teams are responding and we have sent a 3-person PIO team to the scene as well. We will continue to update as we receive information.  

Austin American Statesman Blotter

JACKSON WALKER L.L.P. SIGNS ON TO SPONSOR HEROES OF CENTRAL TEXAS

Jackson Walker L.L.P., one of the oldest and largest Texas based law firms with offices in Austin, has reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the American Red Cross of Central Texas by becoming an Award Sponsor for the 2010 Heroes of Central Texas Celebration to be held during March is Red Cross Month.  Firm partner Stacy Allen is currently serving as Chairman of the ARC Board. Their $5,000.00 sponsorship goes directly back into the community, supporting our programs including Emergency Services, Services to Armed Forces, Disaster Preparedness, and health and safety classes.  Thank you Jackson Walker, for your ongoing support!