Mock Disaster Tests Volunteer Response

Mike has always been active as an Emergency Service volunteer. In 1994 he served as Chairmen of the Emergency Services Committee and was also a member of the Board of Directors. As chairman of the committee he played a major role in planning the yearly disaster drill. The disaster drill, held each year, identify strengths and weakness in relation to emergency response.

In 1994 the scenario began with a tornado touching down at 7a.m. in the Robin’s Nest subdivision in Archdale killing four people injuring 26 and destroying 13 homes. Two other areas in the city were also hit. The tornado touchdown triggered a chain of events. Red Cross Emergency Services Director, Debbie Dalton, was alerted at 7am.. She in turn alerted the volunteer captains who in turn alerted their teams. Volunteers were at the Red Cross on English road by 7:30am. A team was dispatched to the National Guard Armory to set up a shelter. Mike and four other volunteers were dispatched to Robins Nest to determine the number of people who would need shelter, food and emergency assistance. Every house in the neighborhood was assessed for damage. Damaged homes in the mock disaster were indicated by pictures hanging on the mailbox. It was determined that 40 people would have needed shelter. This information was relayed to the volunteers responsible for setting up the shelter. Mike remembers a great team of volunteers; Chip and Dawn Cutts, Merle and Ken Litton and Charles Stout were just a few.

Pictured above are Chip Cutts, Charles Stout, Debbie Dalton and Mike Kane.

Information for this post was taken from an article in the Archdale-Trinity Times, "Disaster Here Shows Red Cross Strenghs" by Kathy Stuart, March 24, 1994.