Terrorism Preparation Diminishes Fears

Written by Stephanie Kriner, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

November 26, 2001 — Whether teaching students to take cover under their desks during an earthquake or urging residents of hurricane-prone states to create an evacuation plan, the American Red Cross has long known the best way to avoid disaster is to prepare for the unexpected. But never before has the American public so stringently shared this belief.

"Since September 11, the American people have been calling upon their local Red Cross chapters for advice about what to do and how to prepare for a disaster," said Rocky Lopes, senior associate for community disaster education at Red Cross headquarters.

In response to this fear, the Red Cross is reaching out to communities in new ways to teach preparedness. Across the nation, chapters are handing out pamphlets and inviting communities, businesses and special groups to a new presentation called "Preparing for the Unexpected." The one and a half-hour presentation teaches families and employees safety steps to take during any disaster – whether it's a flood or another terrorist attack.

"It woke me up to the fact that if it can happen in New York, it can happen to any state," said Chris Woods, who attended a presentation given to the St. Louis Association of Realtors. The presentation inspired Woods, senior vice president of operations for the association, to hand out Red Cross terrorism preparation guidelines to staff and organize a fire drill so employees can practice an evacuation.

For families and communities, preparation means developing an emergency response plan, creating a disaster supplies kit, learning basic first aid and talking to employers and schools about their emergency response plans. A particularly important lesson for Norman Stephens, a resident of an apartment complex for the disabled in Charlotte, N.C., was to prepare a disaster supplies kit.

"Now they know what to have on hand, such as a flashlight and medicine supplies," said Eva Kirby, a social worker who assists the residents.

Sept. 11 also portrayed the importance of having a communication plan, Lopes said. In the chaos surrounding the terrorist attacks, families grew desperate trying to contact loved ones to ensure they were okay. In addition to attempting to make contact via phone and cell phone, Lopes suggests using email.

The program also takes special consideration of what to do during a terrorist attack. For example, instructors teach students what it means to "shelter in place," when chemicals or other hazards may lurk outside. It also guides students through what to bring and where to go if they are ordered to evacuate.

At businesses, the presentation teaches employers to take steps, such as developing a warning system, collecting emergency contact information from all employees and conducting evacuation drills, according to the Red Cross. Employees learn what to include in a desk-drawer disaster supplies kit, where to go during an evacuation and how to stay informed should a terrorist attack or other disaster occur.

Most importantly, though, the class works to ease fears, said Chuck Haynes, who teaches the class for the Greater Carolinas Chapter in Charlotte. One day, Haynes received a call from the local Department of Mental Health, where employees there were on edge about anthrax. In addition to the regular presentation, Haynes helped ease their worries by providing a copy of postal service guidelines.

Before taking the class "there are a lot of unanswered questions and many people have an uneasy feeling as a result…They go home [from the presentation] feeling a lot better. Nobody really knows what's going to happen next, but there are ways to be prepared," Haynes said.

Mike Thiemann, a specialist in community disaster education for the St. Louis Area Chapter, has encountered similar fears among presentation attendees. "They're seeking some guidance from the Red Cross due to the events of September 11. They're very concerned and want to know what they can do during a terrorist attack. They're looking for some answers instead of the latest news about anthrax or a bridge being threatened," Thiemann said.

The presentation combines lessons from a variety of Red Cross classes, including disaster preparedness and first aid. Students learn how to stop bleeding and treat burns, while at the same time reacting safely at the scene of a disaster. This wide range of skills and knowledge could help them prepare for any type of disaster, Lopes said.

During the presentations, Red Cross representatives also try to answer participants' concerns about what to do during a terrorist attack. "Most of the questions are peace of mind questions," Haynes said. People want to know more about the anthrax threat and how their local agencies would respond to protect them, he explained.

However, a longtime Red Cross message remains at the core of the organization's lesson in response to terrorism. Kirby sums it up: "The most important information …is to be prepared for anything that could occur – whether it's a natural disaster or a bio-chemical attack."

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-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) 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.