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Making America Ready: the Red Cross Prepares Communities
Written by
Bonnie Gillespie
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Thursday, February 20, 2003 — At the American Red Cross Chapter in Cincinnati, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge publicly launched the "Ready Campaign," as the thrust for nationwide preparedness continues to increase.
Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans encourages Americans to to make a plan, build a kit, get trained, volunteer and give blood while speaking at the Cincinnati chapter with Homeland Security Department Secretary Tom Ridge.
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Hundreds gathered for the Feb. 19 announcement, including Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans, who cited readiness principles as vitally important during the heightened threat of terrorism as well as other potential disasters.
"In the new and unsettling world of nonspecific terrorist threats and heightened military alerts, empowering Americans to take practical steps to prepare for emergencies and disasters before they happen is more important than ever," Evans said.
Nearly 1,000 Red Cross chapters and Blood Services regions across the U.S. are partnering with communities to equip residents against emerging dangers and potential disasters before they happen.
The "Together We Prepare" campaign entails five proactive measures individuals can take which will help ensure safety for their families and neighborhoods. Americans are urged to make a plan, build a kit, get trained, volunteer and give blood as the integral components of the Red Cross program.
"It's not just terrorism for which residents want to be prepared. A tornado or another severe storm can be just as devastating," said John Degand, with disaster services of the North Central Kansas Chapter. "If the terrorist threat is what it takes to make people think about preparedness, the same measures are going to take care of them in a tornado."
Accordingly, Red Cross chapters across the nation have responded with readiness programs unique to their communities. From Sierra Nevada to Rochester, N.Y., citizens are turning out for "Preparing for the Unexpected" classes offered by their local chapters.
"After the Level Orange alert, people started calling asking what they could do, so we decided to offer [the 'Preparing for the Unexpected' class] to the public," said Lisa Lemons of the Dallas Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Encompassing topics such as developing family disaster plans, assembling disaster supply kits, steps to take in an evacuation, how to shelter in your own home and basic first aid and safety skills, these classes as well as relevant brochures and additional information are being offered in hundreds of Red Cross chapters throughout the U.S.
Many chapters have also established local hotline numbers that community members may call with questions, concerns and for preparedness information. Nationally, the American Red Cross has activated the 1-866-GET-INFO line to provide the public with readiness and disaster safety insights seven days a week from 8 a.m. until midnight (Eastern Standard Time).
Along with "Preparing for the Unexpected" classes, chapters such as the Great Bay Red Cross are offering "Together We Prepare" presentations to churches, civic organizations, schools and businesses, highlighting the steps to make a plan, build a kit, get trained, volunteer and give blood. Meanwhile, some Red Cross chapters are finding other innovative ways to educate their community members in preparedness.
"Our plan is to go out into the community and have disaster kit building nights that families can attend, bringing along their own box that we can help stock with donated supplies," said Gary Miller, Director of Disaster Services for the Cincinnati chapter. "We're also promoting family accountability systems as part of preparedness to keep family members in touch in an emergency situation."
The Cincinnati Red Cross also works in conjunction with the local fire department, police department, vocational schools and community emergency response teams to train citizens in various aspects of preparedness, Miller said.
"The Red Cross is in nearly every community across the country so we are well positioned to organize preparedness activities," said Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO of the Great Bay Chapter of the Red Cross. "Every individual has the opportunity to play an important role - when we come together, we become something bigger than us all."
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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