American Red Cross Prepares Businesses for the Unexpected with New Emergency Response Center

WASHINGTON, Monday, February 04, 2008 — The nation's workplaces have been found to have a positive influence on the disaster preparedness of individuals. According to a recent poll conducted by the American Red Cross and Council for Excellence in Government, businesses played a key role in increasing individual preparedness. Workplaces that have an emergency response plan and practice the plan are more likely to have employees who have taken steps to prepare themselves and their families for a potential disaster or emergency.

To support the preparedness actions of workplaces and individuals, the American Red Cross is launching a new series of products focused on preparing companies to respond to a wide variety of emergency situations. In conjunction with Vancouver, Washington-based manufacturer, First Aid Only, the Red Cross developed the Emergency Response Center, a first-of-its-kind, cost–effective response station.

The new Emergency Response Center is composed of 26 specialized emergency packs and is designed for employees to have instant access to the packs chosen by their employer as well as, a fully stocked first aid cabinet. The specialized emergency supply packs can be displayed in a wall-mounted racking system that can be scaled to meet the size and needs of any organization, making it an effective way for employers to provide protection to their most important assets - their employees.

“We want everyone to have the confidence and benefits that come with being prepared, so we've tried to make it as simple as possible for everyone to take action,” said Scott Conner, Senior Vice President Preparedness and Health and Safety Services. “The simplicity and ease of use of this system will be a good compliment to any workplace first aid and preparedness plan.”

The foundation of the Emergency Response Center is the 26 unique packs. The packs contain content to respond to workplace incidents such as wounds, burns, fluid spills and eye injuries. They are lightweight, ergonomic and designed for quick access with a single grab. By coupling business-specific emergency packs with a standard first aid cabinet, organizations will have the supplies on hand to keep their employees safe when the unexpected happens.

Beginning this month, the new Emergency Response Center products will be available through local Red Cross chapters nationwide. As well, a limited selection of products will be available from the Red Cross online store at www.redcross.org/store.

Founded in 1988, First Aid Only's goal is to offer the most complete, highest value line of first aid products at a fair price. In response to the recent emergency events of the past decade, First Aid Only has expanded its scope to include emergency preparedness products and solutions, working with leaders in the emergency and medical industries to ensure the widest array of quality products and solutions are available to the most people. First Aid Only is a privately held company that operates from a modern 54,000 sq. ft. facility in Vancouver, Washington.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.