The American Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region hosted a number of preparedness events and activities the week of March 12-18.

During the week, volunteers from Humana (shown) and North Hills Latter Day Saints Church engaged in a project to prepare 3,000 Home Fire Campaign information bags that will be used by other groups of volunteers during upcoming home fire canvassing events being held in our local communities. The members of the Humana team also took some time during their visit to the Red Cross office to train to Be Red Cross Ready and learn Citizen CPR.

On Saturday, volunteers met with a group from Rodman Missionary Baptist Church and another group from Barack Obama Academy of International Studies, both in Pittsburgh, to educate people in Home Fire Safety and Be Red Cross Ready, and to also teach Citizen CPR. Roughly 90 people were trained and close to 170 people received fire safety information.

Home Fire Campaign canvassing events were held in Obisonia, Rockhill, Coudersports, and DoBois. At all of these event, volunteers went door-to-door, installing free smoke alarms as needed and providing home fire safety information to the residents as part of the Red Cross’ effort to reduce the number of home fire-related deaths and injuries by 25% over a five-year period.

The Red Cross is extremely grateful to all those who assisted with the home fire events. In Orbisonia/Rockhill, we would like to thank the Orbisonia-Rockhill Volunteer Fire Company, Community State Bank, Orbisonia United Methodist Church Youth Group, and Boy Scout Troop 237 volunteers. In Coudersport, we are extremely grateful to the Coudersport Knights of Columbus for their support.