http://shumenredcross.blogspot.com/

Disaster Prevention and Protection in Shumen, Bulgaria    

STRATEGY PLAN OF THE BULGARIAN RED CROSS IN SHUMEN: For actions in fires, floods, earthquakes, accidents and storms.

    

BULGARIAN RED CROSS, SHUMEN, BULGARIA

Where are we?

The Shumen District is located in the central part of Northeastern Bulgaria. The administrative - territorial division includes 10 municipalities and 151 villages. By 2011, more than 200,000 people will reside in this area.

The Shumen district occupies an extremely important strategic position in Northeast Bulgaria. The Shumen Regional Center is located about 100 km from the coastal cities and ports of Varna and Burgas, and approximately 100 km on from the two major Danube ports of Ruse and Silistra.

Threats of Natural Disasters:Earthquakes

The Shumen region is located in the Trans-Mediterranean seismic zone, and is characterized by considerable activity with a high risk of earthquakes.

FloodFlooding in the region occurs after prolonged, heavy rains, and melting snow. An overflow of watercourses or dams, as well as failures in hydraulic structures and dams are also a threat. The average annual rainfall in the area is 583 liters per meter.

Main Threats:Ice and Snow Storms

Blizzards and frost are common for the Shumen region, typically throughout December and January. They lead to the destruction of air communications, blocking roads and thereby put the lives of many people at risk.

Industrial AccidentsIn the industrial areas of the region large quantities of chemicals are used and stored, and in certain circumstances, such as accidents due to human error or natural disasters, this may become a threat to the health and lives of residents in the region.

Forest FiresForests in the Shumen region account for 1,023,550 acres of land, which is directly threatened by the risk of fire, especially during the dry summer months.

How do volunteers of the Bulgarian Red Cross in Shumen assist the local population?

Through its network of volunteers throughout the region, the Shumen BRC supports vulnerable people during disasters and crisis situations. The presence of volunteers in each city and village in the Shumen region allows the Red Cross to work with local communities, identifying needs and make decisions based on this information, thereby building capacity and reducing vulnerability. Recruiting volunteers to work in crisis situations is one of the main priorities for the implementation of regional safety strategies for the development of volunteerism in Shumen.

How We Act: During a Distress Alert

1. Organize teams of volunteers2. Determine the needs of those affected - including but not limited to:

food, drinking water, clothing, hygiene materials and household items; report on stocks in the warehouse for disaster

3. Organize stations for distribution of food and drinking water4. Organize the transportation of food packets to neighboring

municipalities or districts, if necessary5. Provide those affected by the incident with necessary supplies, such as

hygienic items, clothing and household items6. Campaign for the recruitment blood donors7. Organize the provision of first aid to victims, utilizing the skills and

abilities of the youth volunteers of the Red Cross in Shumen8. Help organize the evacuation of victims and provide assistance to Civil

Protection units9. Provide hot drinks and snacks for members of rescue teams,10. Organize search and rescue teams for missing victims11. Inform the public about the type and volume of the support team of

the General Assembly of the BRC through electronic and print media. If possible use of printed brochures and media time for short messages.

How we recruit Bulgarian Red Cross volunteers in Shumen to assist the population:

1. Select volunteers, promote volunteerism among youth in the region, and arrange parameters for volunteer disaster.

2. Volunteers complete the registration documents: a registration card, performance expectations, and the contract agreement for voluntary work.

3. Organize trainings for work under specific conditions during disasters, first aid and psychological first aid.

4. Provide equipment and material security for disaster prevention and first aid.

5. Complete insurance forms for selected volunteers.

How do we organize volunteers?

How do we prepare for work?Organize training courses on first aid; organize training courses regarding psychological assistance; maintain and organize equipment and facilities for special volunteer units; create conditions for training to maintain physical and specialization of trainings of the teams; improve interaction between regional teams of the Bulgarian Red Cross by organizing joint exercises and development trainings; create programs and trainings for different groups (students, drivers, electricians, first aid, etc.); print and distribute brochures regarding the level of readiness of the population in disasters; interact with the media to promote awareness among the local population to adequately deal with disasters.

 

A team of: 1. Youth trained to work in first aid;2. Volunteers - psychologists trained in psychological first aid assistance;3. Volunteers working in the center of disaster.4. Volunteers live and work in every location of Shumen.

How we recruit additional "spontaneous" volunteers in disaster situations:

During a disaster, to mobilize additional people who are not documented volunteers with the Red Cross to voluntarily work together with teams of the Red Cross:

- Establishment of self-help groups for those affected by the disaster

- Organize and transport volunteers who remain unaffected by the disaster to areas where they can best assist the affected population by providing basic needs

- Recruit volunteers to organize and participate in campaigns to collect food, clothes and blankets as needed

Performance for the period 2001 - 2011 year:More than 200 volunteers of the Bulgarian

Red Cross in Shumen were trained by skilled peer leaders regarding disaster relief and prevention.

Participation of volunteers from the Red Cross Shumen in dealing with major disasters during 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009;

An effective system of disclosure to the population in distress has been established and utilized when necessary;

Maintain a certain minimum amount of property in the warehouse;

Maintain vehicles;Regular preparation of training programs in

crises within different groups of the population in the spheres of medical and psychological first aid;

Maintenance of coordination and communication with governmental institutions and NGOs.