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The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross has a new resource that it’s showing off—an emergency mobile shower and laundry trailer. KSMU’s Ryan Welch went out and took a look at the new trailer, and has this report.
The Red Cross’ new trailer has six shower facilities, including one that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also has two sets of washers and dryers. Regional Mass Care Coordinator Greg Gaines says the trailer can be used in southwest Missouri, or even all across the state.
“The main use for something like this is, in certain incidents or certain disasters, such as, say an ice storm, where it shuts down electricity for a few weeks in two or three counties, this is a self-contained unit,” said Gaines.
Being a self-contained unit means that the trailer can run on its generators from the natural gas the trailer carries with it. However, Gaines says it can also run on electricity. He demonstrates for me how the trailer operates when it’s on electricity.
“We have our four inputs for electricity here, whether it’s in-house supply if a city has electricity. We can hook our generators up to this, and we’ve got a converter that can knock 110 up to the 220 we’ll need for this situation,” said Gaines.
Gaines is very pleased with the new trailer, but hopes he’ll never have to use it.
“It’s one of the resources, in my business, you actually hope you never need and never use it, but boy, when it’s needed, it’s great to have,” said Gaines.
Gaines says the trailer was made possible by funds from an unusual source.
“Well what made that possible, basically, to make a long story short, was 9/11. 9/11 brought about the creation of Homeland Security, as everybody knows, the Department of Homeland Security. And each year the Department of Homeland Security gives so much money to states for disaster preparedness and other situations,” said Gaines.
Gaines said even in calm times, people can be resourceful.
“Plan ahead, plan ahead, plan ahead. Get training. Like I said earlier, it takes all of us to help our communities in a time of disaster. So, as long as we’re working together, just make sure you get the training ahead of time. A little education, a little knowledge makes you a very valuable resource in your community in times of disaster,” said Gaines.
The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross serves 29 counties in the southwest Missouri corner.
For KSMU News, I’m Ryan Welch.