24,000 N95 Particulate Respirators Distributed to Public at Height of Fire

Emergency systems prove strong; generator project completed Friday

May 13, 2009

With the Jesusita Fire expected to be fully contained May 20, Direct Relief has resumed normal-operation footing while continuing to assist as needed with local follow-up efforts.

During the weeklong fire emergency, which caused mass evacuations, threatened highly populated areas of Santa Barbara, and burned over 8,700 acres and 99 structures, Direct Relief—

• Maintained round-the-clock staffing and coordination with local public health officials and emergency operations center personnel.

• Provided local residents, emergency personnel, and evacuees in shelters more than 24,000 N95 particulate respirators to protect against wildfire smoke inhalation. Three separate distribution efforts were coordinated at multiple sites with public health officials and the Medical Reserve Corps, which was activated for the first time in response to an emergency situation.

• Deployed staff, volunteers, equipment, and supplies for rapid set-up of an alternate care shelter at UCSB's "Thunderdome" on Thursday, May 9, to receive up to 100 medically vulnerable people who were housed during massive evacuations. Staff worked through the night to deliver supplies and establish the shelter.

• Completed, on Friday, May 10, a nearly two-year, $500,000 project to install a 250-kilowatt generator to ensure the organization can function independent of the power grid in an emergency situation. This project was generously underwritten by the Orfalea Fund. The clean-burning, diesel-powered generator can supply Direct Relief’s facilities with power for up to six days without fuel resupply (and indefinitely with resupply).

The generator project is the most recent in a series of infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives. Direct Relief was also recently named the first and only nonprofit organization in the United States to be accredited as a Verified Accredited Wholesale Distributor (VAWD) by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Learn more about VAWD.

Third Free Mask Distribution Saturday From 12 to 3 pm

May 9, 2009

Direct Relief staff and volunteers will be distributing free N95 particulate respirators to the public from 12 to 3 pm today at two sites:

• Scolari's Food Co., 222 North Milpas in Santa Barbara, and
• Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave., Goleta.

The protective masks are especially helpful for people who must be outside in the smoke and ash and those with respiratory conditions.

Direct Relief is coordinating emergency response efforts with the Public Health Department during the Jesusita Fire, including this mask distribution.

20,000 Respirators Distributed to Residents, Responders, and Evacuees in Shelters

250-kilowatt Generator Project Completed Today 

May 8, 2009 

6 pm: With the completion today of a second consecutive community-based distribution effort at three sites in Santa Barbara, Direct Relief has furnished more than 20,000 N95 particulate respirators to local residents, emergency responders, and those staying in shelters.

Direct Relief today also resupplied the Jesusita Fire Incident Command Center, from which hundreds of firefighting crews and vehicles are being directed in the massive effort to fight the blaze.

With air quality poor due to the Jesusita Fire, the masks are recommended for anyone working outside and with respiratory conditions.

In the “good timing” category, Direct Relief today also completed a nearly two-year, $500,000 project to install a 250-kilowatt generator to ensure the organization can function independent of the power grid in an emergency situation such as the current fire. This project was generously underwritten by the Orfalea Fund.

The clean-burning, diesel-powered generator, which was successfully tested today, can power for up to six days without fuel resupply (and indefinitely with resupply) Direct Relief’s offices and distribution-center warehouse facility, recharge all warehouse equipment, and maintain temperature-controlled storage, as well as information and security systems.

This project has been one of several infrastructure improvements undertaken to lift operational performance, ensure business continuity in emergencies, and achieve the highest commercial standards for the handling of pharmaceutical products.   One result of these efforts is that Direct Relief is the first and only nonprofit organization in the United States to be accredited as a Verified Accredited Wholesale Distributor (VAWD) by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Learn more about VAWD.

Direct Relief’s emergency response team remains activated to assist in the response to the fire emergency and will continue to coordinate with public health officials as the situation unfolds.

Direct Relief, Public Health Dept Assemble Medical Shelter at UCSB

Distribution of Particulate Masks Continues

May 8, 2009

Direct Relief emergency response to the Jesusita Fire continued throughout last night, when Direct Relief was asked to help establish at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) a medical shelter for evacuees requiring special needs.

Direct Relief emergency staff rapidly tapped and delivered emergency stockpiles of inventory from its warehouse distribution center and worked throughout the night with UCSB student volunteers and Public Health Department staff to establish the alternate care site, which is housed in UCSB's “Thunderdome.”  The facility can accommodate approximately 100 evacuees requiring special attention.

With expanding evacuations occurring and air quality diminishing, the second day of large-scale distribution of N95 particulate respirators for residents continued today at three sites staffed by Direct Relief, Public Health Department staff and volunteers, and members of the Santa Barbara Medical Reserve Corps. Watch a video of Direct Relief's mask distribution May 7. 

For people with respiratory conditions or who must be outside while the air quality is poor, the N95 particulate respirators are recommended to protect against fine airborne matter during wildfires. 

Masks and other supplies were also delivered last night to the American Red Cross shelter at Dos Pueblos High School, which has reached capacity. A second shelter has been set up at the Multi Activity Center on the UCSB campus.

Evacuation orders have required more than 30,500 people to leave their homes in the last few days, with an additional 23,000 people under evacuation warnings as the Jesusita Fire continues to burn.

Direct Relief, Medical Reserve Corps Assist Santa Barbara Residents Affected by Fire

May 7, 2009 

6:55 pm: Direct Relief today deployed staff and 40,000 N95 particulate masks to two sites to assist Santa Barbara residents affected by wildfire smoke from the Jesusita Fire. Watch a video of the event 

The distribution at two sites, was handled by Direct Relief staff and members of the Santa Barbara Medical Reserve Corps, which was activated in connection with the fire.

Direct Relief continues to coordinate its Jesusita Fire response activities with the Santa Barbara Public Health Department.

Direct Relief, Medical Reserve Corps Open Mask-Distribution Sites in Santa Barbara

Direct Relief allocates $50,000 to respond to Jesusita Fire Response Medical Reserve Corps Activated for First Time

May 7, 2009

At the request of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Direct Relief today established two distribution sites in Santa Barbara to provide N95 particulate respirators (masks) for local residents affected by the Jesusita Fire.

The distribution sites will be staffed by Direct Relief staff and volunteers and members of the Santa Barbara County Medical Reserve Corps. The MRC includes volunteer health physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. This is the first time the MRC has been activated in response to a public health emergency.

The mask distribution is taking place today from noon to 3 pm at two locations:

• Loreto Plaza, at  the corner of State Street and Las Positas), and
• Lazy Acres Market, at 302 Meigs Road, on the Mesa.

Direct Relief today also committed up to $50,000 in internal funding to respond to the Jesusita Fire. “This is our home, these are our neighbors and friends, and we will do everything we can to help,” said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief president and CEO.

The masks, or N95 particulate respirators, filter out fine matter in the air and are recommended to help protect people with respiratory conditions during wildfire events. Residents who must be outside in the smoke and ash are also encouraged to pick up masks today for their personal use.

Direct Relief staff has been in frequent contact with officials at the Emergency Operations Center to respond to needs as they arise, including a request last night for more than 600 N95 masks for use by emergency responders and a wheelchair for an evacuee at the shelter at Dos Pueblos High School.

Jesusita Fire: Direct Relief Delivers Protective Masks to First Responders

May 6, 2009 

5:50 p.m.  In response to the rapidly expanding Jesusita fire, Direct Relief has furnished N95 particulate respirators at the request of local emergency response for use by responders to the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara County. Watch a video about our response.

The request for protective masks was made to Direct Relief Emergency Response Coordinator Brett Williams, who was meeting at the Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Center as sundowner winds fanned the flames, forcing more evacuations. 

Direct Relief has a formal agreement with the County of Santa Barbara to assist in public emergencies, and Williams participates in meetings and drills routinely to ensure smooth coordination in the event of an emergency. The current situation is being described as an “extreme fire emergency.”

Click here for local news coverage on KEYT.

Wildfire Outbreak: Direct Relief Responds to Jesusita Fire

Rapidly growing fire in Santa Barbara foothills prompts evacuation; new ‘Radio Ready’ program activated.

May 5, 2009

Direct Relief has offered assistance in response to rapidly spreading wildfire that erupted this afternoon amid high temperatures and strong winds in the Santa Barbara foothills, prompting evacuations of local residents.

Direct Relief has been in emergency-response mode and coordinating emergency activities with local public health officials and community clinics in connection with the H1N1 flu outbreak. Public health officials were meeting at Direct Relief today shortly before the fire broke out at 1:45 p.m.

Assistance has been offered to the shelter services being furnished by the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross as well as to public health officials.

Direct Relief recently collaborated with local emergency services officials and private groups to establish Radio Ready, a communications system to facilitate public advisories during emergencies such as this.