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Volunteer Helps New Yorkers Regain Control with Disaster Preparedness
Stephanie Kriner, Special to RedCross.org
Wednesday, September 10, 2003 — When 53-year-old Dani Carr moved from Los Angeles to New York City, she abandoned her battery-operated radio in storage and no longer kept a disaster kit. After all, Carr, an actress, was leaving earthquake land and could not imagine a disaster striking Manhattan.
New York resident Dani Carr resolved to get prepared after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and began volunteering with the Red Cross.
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Many New Yorkers felt a similar false sense of security -- until Sept. 11, she said.
That's why Carr, who first began volunteering for the Red Cross after the attacks, now teaches "Preparing for the Unexpected," a Red Cross class that instructs students about how to prepare for any disaster with tips on fundamental family disaster preparedness, basic first aid and evacuating.
Since that horrible day two years ago when all of her preconceived notions about safety were shaken, Carr has regained a sense of control by taking and teaching the Red Cross disaster preparedness class. She brings the class to senior centers and civic organizations throughout the city.
"It's a relief to know if something happens, at least we're prepared for it," she said, later adding, "Going out and helping others get a sense of control is important to me."
Carr has even created her own disaster kit, something she encourages all her students to do. Her kit includes important paperwork such as insurance documentation and her social security card, family phone numbers, a first aid kit, an extra pair of clothes, a flashlight, a battery-operated radio and personal hygiene items.
"If we sat down to think about it, we all pretty much know what to put in our disaster kits," said Carr. Despite the common sense answers Carr provides her students, she says they still leave her class with a sense of enlightenment.
"Usually they are very excited and want to get their kids involved," she said. "It's rewarding to see that."
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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