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 This will eliminate overstocks, bottlenecks, misdirection of assets/inventory/resources, repetitive information, and outdated information, which will all work together to keep relief operations flowing smoothly.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 4, 2011

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
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