Emergency Preparedness Programs
The American Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region offers a variety of virtual and in-person programs to help people better prepare for emergencies.
Join millions across the country who feel safe because they can say, "I am Red Cross Ready”. Being Red Cross Ready means you knowing what to do and how to stay safe in the event of an emergency. It’s important to prepare for possible emergencies because they can strike suddenly and violently at any time and any place. In this presentation, trained Red Cross subject matter experts present basic preparedness information including how to make or build a preparedness kit, make an emergency plan with your family and learn what to do before, during and after disasters of all kinds, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The American Red Cross Ready Rating program is a free, self-guided program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. Members complete a ReadyGo or ReadyAdvance assessment and have access to tools, tips and best practices to help improve their level of preparedness.
The virtual Pillowcase Project is a free interactive preparedness program designed for children in grades 3 through 5. The program aims to increase awareness and understanding of natural hazards, teach safety and emotional coping skills, as well as the importance of personal preparedness. Through the presentation, students learn the best ways to stay safe and how to create their own emergency supply kits by packing essential items in a pillowcase for easy transport during a disaster. Students will receive a digital workbook and will be encouraged to decorate and personalize their pillowcases and share what they’ve learned with friends and family.
Did you know having properly working smoke alarms can reduce deaths and injuries realted to home fires by 50 percent? That’s why, since 2014, Red Cross volunteers, alongside community partners, have been installing free smoke alarms in homes and replacing batteries in existing alarms. To date, over 1,400 lives have been saved across the U.S. because of this program! Take action below, to request a free smoke alarm installation in your home.
Prepare with Pedro is a 30- to 45-minute preparedness education program for grades K-2 that teaches students how to "be prepared" and "take action".
To register for an upcoming class or if you are interested in any of the programs above, please contact Darlene Scribner at Darlene.Scribner@redcross.org.