Red Cross probed by Senate; Charter questioned by Congress

I came across this article in USA Today about Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley requesting all sorts of information from the Red Cross about finances, board minutes etc. I can understand that - Congress has full oversight over the Red Cross due to it being the official charity chartered to respond to disasters.

However what really upsets me is statements by two Representatives - Democrat Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Republican Jim McCrery of Louisiana saying that the government should reconsider that charter. OK - I understand. These are two elected officials of states that were absolutely devastated. But the Red Cross was way more prepared than most.

As of 4:30pm ET on August 25th, while Katrina was still 25 miles off Ft. Lauderdale just a few hours from landfall, they had 24 shelters opened in 4 counties already housing 334 people with 16 more shelters on standby. Three days later just prior to landfall, (about noon on 8/28), they had 78 shelters open with 58 on standby housing 1084 people. They worked with the Southern Baptists and already had sites set for 25 kitchens that were waiting on standby to feed over 500,000 per day - and requested 10 more. They had deployed 885 volunteers/staff and were recruiting and training 1900 in the next 3 days. That was BEFORE landfall! (Note: I'm pulling these stats of Red Cross Disaster Operations Summary Reports - I looked but the ones I am referencing are not publicly available on the Web.)

After participating in some of the more advanced Red Cross courses including Mass Casualty Disaster (PDF) and, this past weekend, the two-day Collaborating to Ensure Effective Service Delivery, (formerly the Liaison I/II courses if I understand it right), the Red Cross is as prepared as they can be. Every chapter has Disaster Response Plans, the national organization has policies and documents for every role one would be expected to play....I honestly do not believe any other organization could be more prepared for disasters.

Looking back at the 2005 hurricane season, the Red Cross responded to Cindy, Dennis, Emily, Katrina, Rita, Tammy and Wilma - so many people don't realize that the organization is still doing casework on hurricanes from 2004, September 11th in addition to having to recruit, train and dispatch volunteers to all of these on-site locations. It's just enormous. There are hundreds of not-for-profits helping with the aftermath and response. Don't get me wrong - the Red Cross is not the only organization for disaster services and relief. In fact, we have Statements and Memos of Understanding with about 100 national organizations that perform various services. However I don't think any one of those organizations can take up the mantle to do what the Red Cross does for the US.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around my thoughts on the issue but the more I become involved, the more I see just how much the Red Cross does that no one realizes.