This week Wendy Couture, the district’s safety and risk reduction manager, shares information about the Safe and Well website related to disaster recovery. 

“Safe and Well” is a website through the American Red Cross designed to help make communication with loved ones easier during a disaster emergency. At this website, provided and sponsored by the American Red Cross, people can register and list themselves as “Safe and Well.” This resource helps people who may be concerned about a loved one during a disaster search for them. Once the person in the affected zone is registered, others can look them up and see if they are listed. In emergencies, telephone communications may not be available for many hours.

After a disaster, letting your family and friends know you are safe and well can bring them peace of mind.

I found that reading through the “help” section of the Safe and Well site was very helpful as a tutorial on what to do, how to register and how it can be used as a resource.

There is also a frequently asked questions (FAQ) tab to help explain what Safe and Well can do and can’t do. This resource is provided as a communication tool for people in an affected disaster area to get messages to loved ones outside the area. Here is a list of the types of messages a person may be able to post for someone searching for them:

• I am safe and well.
• Family and I are safe and well.
• Currently at a shelter.
• Currently at home.
• Currently at a friend’s/family member’s/neighbor’s house.
• Currently at a hotel.
• Will make phone calls when able.
• Will send emails when able.
• Will mail letter or post card when able.

It is important that the information that is requested be filled out in full and as accurately as possible since this is a search for a specific person. There are privacy regulations which limit the information about the listed person which can be publicly displayed on the website. Your loved ones will need to know your current address, phone number or email to search for you. In the event of an emergency, it is important that these types of resources are utilized.

To learn more about this service through the American Red Cross, visit the Safe and Well website.