American Red Cross Capital Region Chapter members gather together at the chapter’s headquarters near Cal Expo. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

It was on May 21, 1881, thus nearly 130 years ago, that the ARC was founded by Clara Barton.

Furthermore, on a national level, this is currently a very notable time for the organization.

This month is Red Cross Month, a recognition that has been a tradition since President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was serving as the honorary chairman of the organization, first declared March as a special month for the organization in 1943.

Since then, United States presidents have continued to proclaim March as Red Cross Month on an annual basis.

As a fundraising campaign with a goal of collecting $125 million, the original Red Cross Month received an overwhelming response as the goal was reached in less than six weeks.

Further proving that the public did not recognize Red Cross Month as a drive with an expiration date, funds continued to be donated to the organization. By June 1943, the drive had resulted in donations totaling about $146 million.

Because of this initial success, Red Cross Month became a tradition that has assisted the Red Cross in fulfilling its mission, which reads as follows: “The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.”

Clara Barton, who was also known as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” founded the American Red Cross in 1881. / Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

Furthermore, the ARC described its role as an organization that “shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.”

With a long history of responding to the nation’s needs, the ARC, which is strictly a charitable, non-government agency that relies on the volunteer support of the American public to perform its services, has grown with the times.

For all the good that the ARC does to assist others in needs, none of the many services of the organization would have been possible without the work of its founder.

And for this reason, it is important in any overview of the ARC’s history to highlight Clara Barton.

Born Clarissa Harlowe Barton in Oxford, Mass. on Christmas Day in 1821, Barton can be considered a holiday gift for countless people who have benefitted from the services of the ARC since its founding.

But in order to have a better understanding of how long Barton maintained a deep interest in assisting others in need, it is necessary to know that Barton was active in helping such people long before she founded the ARC.

With the beginning of the Civil War, little time passed before Barton was dedicating her time to helping soldiers in her home state.

Initially, Barton cooked for soldiers and also ripped sheets into towels and handkerchiefs for them.

But her efforts did not stop there, as Barton was dedicated to bringing comfort to the sick and the wounded from the battlefield, and fought for permission to bring food, medicine and supplies to soldiers on the frontlines.

An American Red Cross worker speaks to an injured soldier in a field hospital in Vietnam. / Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

Through these efforts, she received the nickname, the “Angel of the Battlefield.”

Following the war, Barton was commissioned by President Abraham Lincoln to search for missing Union soldiers and she also initiated a movement to have a national cemetery constructed for Union soldiers who died in the Andersonville prison – the Confederate prison of war camp, which was officially known as Camp Sumter – in Andersonville, Ga.

Barton’s goodwill nature and experience in helping those in need led to her founding of the American Association of the Red Cross – the name was later shortened to the American Red Cross – which evolved to become known as the nation’s premier emergency response organization.

In understanding that disasters result in human suffering, Barton, who served as the Red Cross’ first president, recognized a need for a volunteer organization that would be available during emergencies.

Barton, as well as the Red Cross symbol, became synonymous with the fact that comfort would be offered by the organization to those who suffered due to disasters.

The first American Red Cross chapter was organized at the Lutheran Church of Dansville, N.Y.

Among the early service of the Red Cross was its assistance to victims of the Ohio and Mississippi floods of 1884.

Nurses work at an American Red Cross recruiting station to field new members during World War II. / Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

Five years later, the Sacramento Record-Union printed the following quote regarding Barton: “The sublime life of this plain, simple, unpretentious and self-sacrificing woman is one of the grandest monuments to charity and merciful kindness the world has witnessed.”

In 1898, the Red Cross played a very significant role in the Spanish-American War, as the organization assisted refugees and prisoners of war.

Since its early beginnings, the ARC has expanded to other cities across the nation, and today the organization, which also provides assistance in other countries, has many chapters throughout the nation.

Sacramento’s chapter, which was previously known as the Sacramento Sierra Chapter and is presently known as the Capital Region Chapter, was established in 1898.

The founding of the Sacramento chapter was very timely, considering that only seven years after its organization, the chapter was assisting in the relief efforts of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

This 1956 “On the Job” recruiting poster by John Gould is among the many posters that were designed to recruit American Red Cross volunteers. / Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross

The Red Cross’ local and national response to this disaster prompted President Theodore Roosevelt to describe the Red Cross as “the national organization best fitted to undertake the outpouring of the nation’s aide.”

The ARC also provided assistance during the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic and World Wars I and II.

Leftover ARC funds from the Great War were utilized to create the “Baby Clinic,” which became part of the Sacramento Health Clinic in 1927.

During World War II, the Sacramento chapter was a 24 hours per day operation, and overall, Sacramento contributed $468,037 to the National War Relief Effort.

The Sacramento chapter responded to five American River floods and the Yuba City-Marysville floods during the 1950s, and during the Vietnam War, ARC programs were expanded to assist the military and their families.

In more recent times, the ARC’s Sacramento chapter has continued to provide local and national assistance, including its aide to Hurricane Katrina.

Trista Jensen, communications and marketing director for the Capital Region Chapter, said that as a representative of the American Red Cross, she is pleased that the organization has been able to successfully operate with consistency for the past 130 years.

“I think what’s remarkable about the American Red Cross is that we are still doing the things that we started doing 130 years ago,” Jensen said. “We started serving people in the battlefield, responding to disasters and helping people in their greatest time of need. Whether that’s a house fire across the street, a hurricane across the country or a major disease breakout across the world, we’re still responding in the same manner that we were 130 years ago.”

lance@valcomnews.com

The Edwards Break flood of 1904 damaged many houses in the Riverside-Pocket area, including the home of Manuel Perry, shown above. To the right of the house is a toppled, wood-frame tower. / Photo courtesy of PHCS

This flood, which was known as the Edwards Break, began at the sharp turn of the Sacramento River, near what is today the intersection of Sutterville and Riverside roads.

Four-legged levee destroyers

This tragedy happened as a result of a levee being weakened due to the burrowing of gophers and squirrels.

During a heavy storm on Feb. 27, 1904, water penetrated the burrows to the extent that the water’s force caused the levee to break and flood the area.

Due to the magnitude of the flood, news about this occurrence spread beyond the Sacramento area.

One such report was a Feb. 29, 1904 article in The San Francisco Call, which included the following words regarding the flood: “The fact is, simply, that there has been a bad break in Reclamation District 535 (later known as Reclamation District 673), south of (Sacramento), and that it has flooded probably 10,000 acres of the richest land in the state.”

This break was wide enough that large objects such as boats and a barge entered the opening of the break and flowed down into the Pocket.

In one incident, the home of Antone Perry, who resided on the present day Park Riviera Way with his family across from today’s Lewis Park, was struck by the aforementioned barge.

Traveling southward on the floodwaters, the barge made a sudden, swirling turn and then sharply struck the back corner of the Perry home, which was thus forced off of its foundation.

Present within the home during this incident were Antone, his wife Amelia, and their six children.

The 1904 Edwards Break flood isolated the Pocket home of Manuel Seamas. / Photo courtesy of PHCS

Another very notable house in the Pocket was the home of Manuel Seamas, owner of the area’s well known Grangers Dairy.

As a result of the Edwards Break, the Seamas house was flooded up to the ledge of the first floor window, which was located about 5 feet from the ground.

The flood also toppled the ornate, white, wooden fence that bordered the Seamas property and ruined the family’s renowned, spacious gardens, where gala parties were held with many guests.

Selfless acts of heroism

Although the majority of the residents’ animals were drowned in the flood, fortunately, with the exception of a man who was killed at the site of the levee break, those living in the area were able to survive this tragedy.

This fact was made possible through the selfless efforts of various men of the area.

Upon seeing the water rising to a dangerous level, men in the Riverside-Pocket area used their rowboats to rescue people who were stranded in their homes.

One such man was John Machado, who was known as “Jaoa Alvert” (“John Albert”).

Taking his rowboat from an area near his front porch, Machado transported his wife and infant daughter to the Reichmuth dairy area on high ground, which is known today as South Land Park Hills.

Machado then proceeded back to the Pocket to rescue area residents and take them to higher ground on the levee, where others had their homes. One of these homes was the home of his in-laws, Antone Perry, Sr. – the father of the aforementioned Antone Perry – and Mary Gloria Perry.

Machado, who was a tall, strong man, joined other men from the area who rowed their boats throughout the night in their efforts to bring stranded residents to higher ground.

Individual emergency preparedness

Although the Edwards Break flood took Riverside-Pocket area residents by surprise, this did not mean that they were without preparation for such a tragedy.

Workmen on the Riverside-Pocket levee are shown in this early 1920s photograph. / Photo courtesy of PHCS

With an impending break of the levee in mind, the local rescuers referred to above, purposely kept their rowboats nearby their homes.

Additionally, most of the area’s homes were constructed with two levels with the lower level being for a cool storage area for perishable food and also possibly the kitchen area, which included a wood burning stove and perhaps a coal oil stove.

The upper level of such homes consisted of bedrooms, which were separated by a hallway that led to the front porch and stairway.

Some families in the area had their rowboats attached directly to these upstairs porches.

Area families were also educated with the knowledge of how to help save their homes during a severe flood.

One such method was to lean out a home’s upper windows or porch and break the lower windows with heavy objects or tools that were tied to long ropes.

The purpose of this action was to purposely flood the first floor, instead of running the risk of having the house carried away in the floodwaters.

The Dredger Argyle, shown in about 1915, was one of the dredgers that worked to raise the level of the levee in the Pocket area. / Photo courtesy of PHCS

Built on higher ground

In addition to the construction of ground level, two-story houses in the area, some people in the area also prepared for possible major floods by bringing in soil and building their homes on mounds.

On some occasions, soil for such houses was provided via dredgers that were used to build and repair the local levees and keep the river channel open for passenger and freight boats.

A dredger’s leverman would swing the boom, which transported large buckets of silt and soil, over the top of the levee and deposit the soil on the property.

The soil would then be leveled to the desired height of the home builder.

Pocket historian Dolores Greenslate said that she believes that among the area’s residents who built their houses on mounds was a Portuguese man, named Joe Lewis. This belief appears to be factual when considering that Lewis was known by the nickname, “Joe da Cabeco” (“Joe of the Top of the Hill”).

Following the break in the levee, several weeks passed before the floodwaters finally receded and people were able to return to their homes.

The most fortunate people of the flood proved to be those who prepared themselves by having their entire living quarters on the second level of their homes.

For those who kept their homes in this manner, their post flood work only involved repairing the foundations of their houses and their ground level, cool storage area.

Fortunately, unlike the people who resided in the Riverside-Pocket area during the flood of 1904, with the strengthening and higher level of the levees, people living in this area today are no longer constantly worried each winter about the possibility of major flooding.

lance@valcomnews.com

Representatives from Homeland Security, emergency response agencies, business and education will discuss policies and methods of disaster preparedness when Sacramento State hosts a special forum 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2.

Hosted by Emir Jose Macari, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, “Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Response Through Education, Training and Exercises,” will be held in Modoc and Napa halls by the University’s College of Continuing Education.

The forum is free. Advance registration is through Nov. 29. Walk-in admissions will be accepted the day of the event if there are vacancies. To register, visit www.cce.csus.edu/conferences/webreg/Register_ohs_cpf10.cfm?CID=774.

Breakout sessions and panel topics include corporate emergency management plans, corporate and employee intelligence in support of Homeland Security, community and statewide partnerships, and shaping Sacramento State’s emergency management program for business.

Speakers include Karen Baker, California’s secretary of Service and Volunteering, California Volunteers; Christy Quinlan, California’s interim chief information officer; Stephen Alexander, TechFlow Homeland Security Division; Farley Howell, from the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency; Rick Martinez, Sacramento City and County Office of Emergency Services; and Mike Dayton, undersecretary for the California Emergency Management Agency.

The day begins with registration and continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in Napa Hall 2001 and 2002 and concludes with a University reception at 4:30 p.m. in the Napa Hall lobby.

For more information on the forum, call the College of Continuing Education at (916) 278-4433 or visit www.cce.csus.edu/conferences/ohs/cpf10/agenda.htm.

Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, III joined Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson at City Hall to kick off “Sacramento Ready,” a citizen education and emergency preparedness initiative.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson presents Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger with the Key to the City of Sacramento. Sullenberger was in town with his family to help the mayor kick off a new citizen education and emergency preparedness initiative. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Stephen Crowley

The retired American airline transport pilot who is best known for landing US Airways Flight 1549 – after both engines had been disabled – in the Hudson River off Manhattan, New York City last year, is also a safety expert and accident investigator.

With the modesty and gentle humor for which he is known, the “Hero of the Hudson” spoke to the assembled emergency preparedness groups from organizations including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, local law enforcement and disaster relief groups.

“I’m often asked how I felt, being thrust into the limelight,” he said. “Actually, it was a lack of thrust on my part that put me here.”

Sullenberger discussed the events of January 15, 2009 – when his Airbus A320 struck a flock of birds, disabling both engines and creating an emergency situation that required landing the crippled airplane in the freezing waters of the Hudson River. Amazingly, there were no fatalities.

“I served in the Air Force, but I never saw combat,” he said. “I always wondered if I’d be able to rise to the occasion should I ever be placed in an emergency situation.”

He gave credit to the preparedness training both he and his crew had received over a lifetime for “The Miracle on the Hudson.” He spoke of having to force himself to be calm, to compartmentalize all his training and experience and to focus on the task at hand – all while depending on and trusting his team in an extreme situation.

“Jeff Skiles was my co-pilot, but he is more than that. He is a fully qualified pilot,” Sullenberger said. “One of the things he did was start to automatically call out altitude and air speed. He assisted me in raising the nose for the landing. Our flight attendants, Donna, Doreen and Sheila had little time to prepare everyone, but they did so. Patrick Carton, the air traffic controller, kept giving me the information I needed as I needed it.”

After landing the crippled aircraft, both Sullenberger and Skiles turned to each other and said, “Well, that wasn’t as bad as I’d thought.”

Another key to survival was the immediate action of “first responders” in New York and New Jersey.

“Since 9/11, these groups had practiced many different scenarios,” Sullenberger said. “Many of the emergency responding agencies had already conducted drills. In three minutes and 55 seconds, the first boat arrived.”

Sacramento Ready is a sustained preparedness campaign that will guide residents to become prepared before, during and after an emergency or disaster.

“In Sacramento, there is a sense of civic duty,” Sullenberger said. “I commend you for that. None of us know what tomorrow may bring. Avoid complacency. I never knew what two minutes, 28 seconds of my career might change everything. Each of us has that responsibility to remain vigilant.”

“Sacramento is the second most ‘at-risk’ community behind New Orleans,” Johnson said. “With Sacramento Ready, we have a chance to really set ourselves apart. If we don’t do our part (to become prepared for an emergency), we won’t step up when the situation arises.”

For more information about Sacramento Ready, visit www.volunteersac.com.

California is home to natural and man-made disasters: earthquakes, fires, flooding and even extreme weather situations, such as tornadoes, are not out of the realm of possibility here.

Because of the on-going potential for emergencies in the Sacramento region, city and county organizations and officials are co-sponsoring the Sacramento Emergency Preparedness and Self-Reliance Fair on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Guest exhibitors will include the Sacramento Office of Emergency Services, the American Red Cross, the Sacramento City Fire Department, the California Emergency Management Agency, the Drowning Accident Rescue Team (DART), the Sacramento Police Department, Army Corps of Engineers, United Animal Nations, Pacific Gas & Electric, the California Conservation Corps, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and many more.

Visitors to the event can learn about: building disaster-resilient families, having an emergency plan, emergency communication, emergency shelters, power generators, first aid kits, employment, wills, trusts, estate planning, budgeting and saving, a three-month supply of rotatable food, crime prevention, Neighborhood Watch, flood preparedness, water storage and purification, children’s emergency activities and much, much more.

This event is open to everyone in the community.

The event will be hosted by members of The Sacramento California Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sponsors include the Sacramento City and County Office of Emergency Services, Council Member Robbie Waters, Council Member Bonnie Pannell and County Supervisor Jimmie Yee.

Individuals of all ages will have the opportunity to learn how to better prepare for natural and man-made disasters at this free event.

The Fair will include over 40 exhibits and displays highlighting topics such as: food and water storage, stretching your food dollar, employment, family evacuation plans, 72-hour kits, water purification, first aid, fire safety and much more.

Emergency vehicles will also be available for tours and close-up inspection, including an Army National Guard HH60 helicopter, a Coast Guard rescue boat, ambulance, highway patrol car and a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trailer. The Army National Guard HH60 plans to land around 10:30 a.m. and CERT will be performing several “triage” demonstrations throughout the day.

“The fair has been designed to provide useful information to families regardless of where they are in the wide spectrum of emergency preparedness and self-reliance,” said John Cassinat, president of the Sacramento Stake. “There will be meaningful experiences and valuable information for the person or family who doesn’t know where to begin, as well as for those who are well on there way to sustainable independence and self-reliance during most emergencies.”

The Fair will be held at a large property owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 7401 24th Street in Sacramento.

This event is free and family oriented. Translators will be available for multiple languages.

“It is important that we as a community are prepared for any kind of unanticipated event,” Cassinat said. “The more educated we are as a community, the more resilient we will be.”