Our Mission
Our Mission is to create pathways for information and emergency responders during a natural disaster.

About Us
The Green Cross of America was formed in the spring of 2011, immediately following the outbreak of F4 and F5 tornadoes in Alabama on April 27th. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, we are a team of volunteers providing timely, accurate, and meaningful emergency disaster information to first responders, relief networks, aid organizations, and the general public. We strive to connect Needs and Haves within the first hours of a natural disaster, and continue our support until a permanent infrastructure has been established for long-term aid relief. Our strategy is to reduce confusion, eliminate barriers, and leverage resources to maximize effectiveness for those in crisis. Our philosophy is that by being in harm’s way, we are where we need to be, to help those most in need. Our ultimate goal is to help ease suffering, provide hope in a time of crisis, and support those saving lives.

How We Work
• Disaster Information Relay Management Teams (DIRM Teams)
When a natural disaster occurs, certified and trained volunteers will be activated on-location in small mobile teams with portable, wireless laptops. The size of the teams will be determined by need. The on-location laptops connect to a website capable of compiling information in a central data repository and broadcasting it to a wide-area network. Information captured will include asset management, supplies & inventory management, resource management, and utilization management. This will eliminate overstocks, bottlenecks, misdirection of assets/inventory/resources, repetitive information, and outdated information, which will all work together to keep relief operations flowing smoothly. The certified and trained volunteers are on-location to validate, verify, and authenticate the information before submission to the network. The purpose of the Disaster Information Relay Management System is to connect Needs and Haves – directing information through The Green Cross of America rather than to The Green Cross of America.
• Advance Rapid Response & Reconnaissance Teams (AR3 Teams)
When a natural disaster occurs, certified and trained volunteers will be deployed on-location to the point of disaster with road clearing equipment, chainsaws, safety equipment, etc. The Advance Rapid Response & Reconnaissance Teams will 1) assess and relay community hazards and roadway blockages, and 2) reduce or eliminate primary roadway blockages, where possible, for First Responders and Emergency Management Teams. The purpose of AR3 Teams is to expedite assistance to the injured and displaced residents who may be trapped by removing roadway blockages.
• Continuous Improvement
The Green Cross of America will endeavor to continuously improve how we respond to a crisis through research and development of its own software, resources, and assets.


"We can't control when or where a terrible storm may strike, but we can control how we respond."
--President Barrack Obama on the Alabama tornado outbreak.
If you're able to donate to our efforts, we have many equipment and startup fees at this time and appreciate any contributions. All donations currently go directly to immediate relief we're providing to areas of need. Thank you!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Who Needs?

It's going to be raining this weekend.  Please let us know who needs construction materials to cover and patch holes so we can connect you with resources.
Posted by The Green Cross of America at 10:09 AM 0 comments
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Friday, May 6, 2011

Birmingham Area Update

Starting this weekend, box trailers and flat bed trailers are desperately needed as well as warehouse workers for construction materials.  A warehouse has been donated at 32nd Street and 1st Avenue North Birmingham, AL.  The trailers will need to be at the Home Depot in Crestwood fora  donation drive.  This is being put together by the Christian Service Mission.  They have the warehouse and forklifts, but trucks are at a premium so any flatbed and box trailers and drivers are needed.

Contact Laura @ 205/789-2266
Posted by The Green Cross of America at 11:26 AM 0 comments
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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Hackleburg/Marion County Update

Update: We just returned from an overnight stay near the Hackleburg area.  After speaking with the Shiloh fire department and other emergency workers at length, here is an update from Marion County:
The Red Cross, FEMA and National Guard are in Hackleburg.  All donations for the general area are going to a warehouse at:

800 Bexar Ave East, Hamilton AL 35570
Contact Missy Huff @ 256-616-5679
to make sure that voluteers will be there to help unload any trucks.

This is a new warehouse location and distribution center that was just allocated today 5/5/2011.

There's no one specific thing needed in this area, but rather a wide list.  Contact Missy Huff for updates on what they have and need.
Posted by The Green Cross of America at 5:11 PM 0 comments
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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Generators

Much thanks to the wonderful people at the Red Cross for helping us get a truck/trailer load of gas powered generators to people in need. We should be on location in about 2 hours.
Posted by The Green Cross of America at 8:43 PM 0 comments
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RUMC Tornado Relief 5/4/2011

The news today from the folks at http://riverchaseumc.org/
You can deliver donations to Riverchase Methodist Church for distribution.

Current needs:
Eye Drops
Chapstick
Nail files and Clippers
Pull Ups - Toddlers
Power Strips
Roofing Nails
Gatorade
Canned Soft Drinks
Household Cleaning Supplies
Laundry Detergent
Large containers of Season Salt
Bacon
Sausage
Large containers of grits
Large containers of oatmeal

These items may be dropped off in the lower kitchen in the Sanctuary building.
Sausage and bacon should go in the refrigerator or freezer in that kitchen. Place these items in a bag and label it "tornado relief."

BLOOD IS NEEDED: Tornado victims are using a great deal of blood.  Please call Red Cross or Life South and donate today.

Aldridge Community: Missionary Baptist is the drop zone (label as Aldridge.)  They need towels, wash cloths, underwear of all sizes...men, women, and kids, socks, storage bins, toys for kids.
Posted by The Green Cross of America at 11:52 AM 0 comments
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Blue Cross Assists United Way Telethon for Tornado Relief Fund

A telethon to collect donations for the United Way of Central Alabama’s Tornado Relief Fund is currently taking place from 4 a.m. Wednesday, May 4,  until  2 a.m. Thursday, May 5. The telethon is staffed by the United Way Hands On Birmingham volunteers and is being broadcast by WVTM Alabama’s 13.  

HOW TO DONATE:  Phone: Call 1-855-205-HELP/1-855-205-4357.
(Note: The phone line will only be active during the Telethon, 5 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 4 to 3 a.m. EDT, Thursday, May 5)
Online:  http://www.uwca.org/
Mobile: Text TORNADO to 50555 to donate $10.
Mail: United Way Tornado Disaster Fund, P.O. Box 320189, Birmingham, AL 35232.

All donations will be handled and distributed by the UWCA Tornado Relief Fund. Donations will go toward the immediate needs of those most affected and to the long-term recovery and rebuilding effort. Callers may designate donations go to the United Way in any state affected by the deadly April 27, 2011 tornados. They simply make their request known when they call in to the donation center.
Posted by The Green Cross of America at 7:09 AM 0 comments
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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

MT. HOPE, AL

We just returned from MT. HOPE, AL -- and here is a list of their needs they provided us with:
FOOD, they're cooking 3,000 meals daily!  (breakfasts/lunches/dinners)
Cleaning supplies, brooms, mops, buckets, large garbage bags.

PLEASE contact us if you have heavy equipment or refrigerated truck... these are a priority need. We will coordinate you with their contact.
Posted by The Green Cross of America at 10:30 PM 0 comments
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