Red Cross Helps Allegheny County Libraries Prepare Patrons for Flu Season
PITTSBURGH – With extensive reference materials, computers and class offerings, Allegheny County libraries provide a wealth of information to the community. Amid flu season, however, the America
PITTSBURGH – The holidays are a time for excitement, celebration and laughter. With this holiday season quickly approaching, people throughout the region are decorating homes; while the American
Red Cross Urges Local Residents to Use Fire Alarms
PITTSBURGH - The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants you to be safe and ready in the case of a fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) release
July 30, 2003 The Red Cross Offers Ways to Stay Cool in the Summer Heat
Extreme heat has taken a toll across Southwestern Pennsylvania in recent weeks, and there are many more days of sweltering conditions ahead. The American Red Cross is urging people to beat the heat by taking steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from extreme temperatures.
According to the National Weather Service, an average of 175 Americans are killed each year by summer heat. In some years, heat is the biggest killer among all types of severe weather. More than 1,250 people died nationwide during the devastating U.S. heat wave of 1980, and 465 heat-related deaths were reported in Chicago during a 16-day period as recently as 1995.
"Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees, but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses," explained Matt Clay, Director of Health and Safety Services for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter.
Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches.
Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.
Red Cross Heat Safety Tips . . .
Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Stay indoors when possible.
Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean . . .
Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs. It is generally thought that the loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes the cramps.
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs, resulting in a form of shock. With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate as'it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing. As a result, the body is not cooled properly. Signals include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high -- sometimes as high as 105 F.
General Care For Heat Emergencies . . .
Cool the Body; Give Fluids; Minimize Shock
Heat cramps/heat exhaustion:
Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths such as towels or wet sheets.
Heat stroke:
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, wrap them in a cloth and place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. (Do not use rubbing alcohol because it closes the skin's pores and prevents heat loss.) Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.
For more information about staying cool in the heat, or to enroll in a Red Cross first aid and CPR course, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter at (412) 263-3106.
July 30, 2003 Local Grant Helps American Red Cross Lead Disaster Planning For Senior Organizations
New lifesaving assistance will benefit seniors in Pittsburgh area
PITTSBURGH, June 16, 2003 – Seniors living in several hundred Pittsburgh area apartment buildings, nursing homes, and personal care homes can now benefit from their facility's knowledge and practice in disaster preparedness.
Thanks to local American Red Cross leadership and a grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation, facilities that house a vulnerable senior population will soon know how to plan and practice their response to community-wide disasters, while maintaining the safety of their senior residents.
The $179,000 grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation has enabled the American Red Cross, Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, to lead a community-wide, three-year project which will ultimately lead to safer and more secure facility management personnel and senior residents at times of disaster. The project, the Special Populations Emergency Preparedness Initiative (SPEPI), will result in well-constructed emergency plans, specifically developed for the special needs of the senior population.
Consulting over the last several months with a steering committee of city and county emergency management personnel, facility managers, healthcare leaders, and other non-profit organizations, the American Red Cross identified key emergency response issues and constructed solutions and procedures for roll-out, training and evaluation.
"Our vision, in the next few years, is to experience seamless coordination of emergency response from this important group," says Mike Adametz, Manager of Emergency Preparedness for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter and Project Manager of the SPEPI.
The local American Red Cross developed the idea for this project in December 2001 when faced with a number of disaster incidents in recent years involving the residents of group care facilities. Unlike other situations, in which residents may live independently, residents living in group care facilities are the responsibility of their facility administration during times of emergencies. Many are unaware of emergency procedures and some residents have special healthcare needs.
"The Red Cross saw an increase in phone calls from nursing homes wanting to know where shelters were located….We experienced neighborhood gas leaks affecting seniors with special needs… and evacuations of personal care homes where there was no clear plan for relocation of residents," explains Robert Skertich, Chief Operations Officer for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. "We also were realizing that this segment of the senior population has special needs above and beyond what is most readily provided in a Red Cross evacuation shelter. The Red Cross felt we had a vital responsibility in leading an effort to solve what was becoming a community-wide issue."
The Pittsburgh Foundation, which promotes and champions the betterment of the Greater Pittsburgh community, was eager to support this innovative, cost-effective effort.
When it funded the American Red Cross SPEPI project, The Pittsburgh Foundation supported a three-year goal for the Red Cross to develop a database of all appropriate facilities; to work with100 facilities in adopting emergency plans and provide training to employees. The Red Cross also agreed to conduct at least two tabletop exercises for all facility personnel as well as train public safety leaders so they understand the special disaster response needs of this vulnerable population. The Red Cross in now nearing the halfway point in their plan.
"The Red Cross outlined a very real need in the community and has shown us definite, realistic measures for taking steps to address the need and to report on results. We view this as a very positive, effective collaboration among all the organizations involved," said Dr. William E. Trueheart, President and CEO of The Pittsburgh Foundation.
The project will be presented on Wednesday, June 25, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the Situation Room at the Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center to 15 facility managers who have agreed to be 'test recipients' for the first phase of the project.
The American Red Cross is asking administrators of Allegheny County nursing homes, personal care homes or senior-living apartment complexes to call the Red Cross at 412-263-3141 if interested in becoming a recipient of this emergency planning information.
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The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter helps the families and communities of Allegheny, Washington, and Greene Counties stay safe by providing relief to victims of more than 300 disasters annually and helping more than 45,000 people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies through its First Aid, CPR, Aquatics and other lifesaving training. The chapter helps 2,000 military families at their time of need by speeding personal emergency messages to U.S. service members separated from loved ones.
The Red Cross is also a leader in volunteerism by mobilizing thousands of volunteers each year and supporting vital programs for seniors such as the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
The Pittsburgh Foundation is the fourteenth largest community foundation in the country. For over 50 years, it has worked to improve the quality of life in the Pittsburgh region by evaluating and addressing community issues, promoting charitable giving, and connecting donors to the critical needs of the community.
July 30, 2003 American Red Cross Urges Families to Be Aware of Dangers of Area Waterways
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: July 30, 2003
Contact: Kelli Serencsa
Phone: 412-263-3118
24-Hour Pager: 412-270-2539
PITTSBURGH, PA – The American Red Cross is urging area families to make sure their children understand the dangers of playing and swimming near area rivers and waterways.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter offers WHALE Tales, a program designed to teach young children safe behavior in, on, and around the water. WHALE stands for Water Habits Are Learned Early. Schools, teachers, or organizations interested in learning more about WHALE Tales can contact the American Red Cross Health and Safety office at (412) 263-3106.
"WHALE Tales offers a program so needed in our city, which is known for it rivers," explained Matt Clay, Director of Health and Safety for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. "Every year we hear of fatal drownings in our area - water safety has to be a priority for families living near or visiting area rivers."
The curriculum for WHALE Tales includes key safety messages:
Swim with a buddy in a supervised area.
Be cool, follow the rule -- the reasons behind water safety rules.
Look before you leap -- choose safe places to swim and dive.
Think so you don't sink -- what to do when things go wrong, such as leg cramps, exhaustion, or getting caught in a fast-moving current.
Reach or throw, don't go -- safe ways to rescue a swimmer in trouble.
Water safety advice for the entire family to consider includes:
Learn to swim. One of the best things anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. No one, including adults, should ever swim alone. Adults should practice "reach supervision," which means to be within arm's length of a child in case an emergency occurs.
Outfit everyone with the proper gear. Kids-and even adults-who are not strong swimmers should use U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) whenever they are in or around the water. "This lightweight plastic equipment, when used properly, can help save lives," explains Clay. Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use an approved PFD when boating.
Always keep basic lifesaving equipment with you at all times and know how to use it. A first aid kit, cordless phone, phone list with emergency contact information, a reaching pole and a plastic ring buoy with a nylon line attached are recommended. "Plastic makes the ring buoy so light even a child can save a life if the need arises," said Clay. "These items coupled with an emergency action plan-similar to a fire drill-help the whole family breathe a little easier."
Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. "It is important to know what to do when a dangerous situation arises," said Clay. All caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings and babysitters should have these lifesaving skills.
Select an area that has good water quality and safe natural conditions. Murky water, hidden underwater objects, unexpected drop-offs, and aquatic plant life are hazards. Water pollution can cause health problems for swimmers. Strong tides, big waves, and currents can turn an event that began as fun into a tragedy.
Avoid drainage ditches and other water run-off areas. Water run-off areas are not good places for swimming or playing in the water. After heavy rains, they can quickly change into raging rivers that can easily take a human life. Even the strongest swimmers are no match for the power of the water. Fast water and debris in the current make these areas very dangerous.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is dedicated to keeping the families and communities of Allegheny, Washington and Greene counties safe. A humanitarian service organization currently servicing more than 1.5 million people, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters and sends nearly 1,000 emergency messages to U.S. service members separated from loved ones. The American Red Cross trains more than 45,000 people in vital lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter also locally supports senior volunteer services like the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter by phone at (412) 263-3100, by mail at 225 Boulev'rd of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
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July 30, 2003 American Red Cross Vital Link for Military Families Nearly 1,000 Local Families Assisted by the Red Cross
Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
Date: July 25, 2003
Contact: Kelli Serencsa
Phone: 412-263-3118
24-Hour Pager: 412-270-2539
WHO: American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter
WHAT: As the country surpasses 120 days since the conflict began in Iraq, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to update our community of vital Red Cross services for our men and women in uniform.
Over the last year American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) volunteers have delivered 1,012 emergency messages such as a serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child, or death of a loved one.
AFES provides services to active-duty and community-based military members and their families that may include providing access to financial assistance, verification necessary for emergency leave, counseling, veterans assistance and worldwide emergency communications.
WHEN: Red Cross volunteers are available to take AFES emergency phone calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
WHERE: The Red Cross relays messages to our service men and women in remote locations overseas including isolated military units, ships at sea, embassies and hospitals.
WHY: "Throughout Allegheny, Washington and Greene counties, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Red Cross is a crucial communication link during emergencies," explains Ryan Miller, Director of AFES for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. "Each month over 80 military families contact us with urgent messages-but many of them lose precious time getting their loved ones home because they don't know we're here to help."
HOW: To volunteer as an AFES caseworker for the American Red Cross, you will need specific training – which is currently being offered by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross. To get a schedule of these AFES training classes, please call the Red Cross at 1-888-217-9599.
Information Military Families Should Have When Contacting the Red Cross:
His/her full name, rank and branch of service
His/her social security number
His/her home base unit address and the complete military address where he/she is deployed, if known.
If social security number is unknown, provide member’s date and place of birth, parent’s full name, last know military address, and date of last contact or date of entrance into military.
The 24-hour number to contact is 1-888-217-9599.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is dedicated to keeping the families and communities of Allegheny and Washington Counties safe. A humanitarian service organization serving the families of Allegheny, Washington, and Greene counties, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 300 emergencies and speeds emergency messages to more than 2,600 U.S. service members and their loved ones. The American Red Cross trains more than 50,000 people in vital lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter also locally supports senior volunteer services like the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
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July 2, 2003 Foster Grandparent Program Honors Five Local Senior Volunteers for Exemplary Service in Local Communities
Volunteer Recognition Luncheon Held in their Honor
PITTSBURGH, PA – On Thursday, June 26, 2003 the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) of Southwestern Pennsylvania will hold its annual volunteer recognition luncheon. Volunteers from Allegheny, Washington, Beaver, Butler, Greene and Fayette counties will be honored for their service and dedication to the youth of southwestern Pennsylvania.
FGP, locally sponsored by the American Red Cross, offers seniors age 60 and older opportunities to serve as mentors, tutors, and caregivers to children and youth with exceptional needs. Over 245 senior volunteers work in six local counties to serve an estimated 7500 children at 131 sites.
Foster Grandparents may serve in institutions such as schools, hospitals, drug treatment facilities, correctional institutions, Head Start and day care centers. The In-Home Visitor Program is a component of the FGP program that works in conjunction with Children, Youth and Family Services of Allegheny County and Children and Youth Services in Washington County. Volunteers also serve in private homes and work with special needs children.
The Volunteer Recognition Luncheon was established "to recognize volunteers for their years of service to the program as well as their unselfish dedication to serving our area's youth," explains Christine Meurer, FGP Field Coordinator for Allegheny County.
The FGP Luncheon will recognize those volunteers who have served five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years in their communities. The prestigious FGP Director's Award for Exemplary Service will be awarded to five FGP volunteers. One winner was chosen each of the counties in which the FGP program has been active for five years or longer: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Washington. In addition, a winner was chosen from the In-Home Visitor component of the FGP.
Nettie Bullitt is the winner of the 2003 Director's Award for Allegheny County. A FGP volunteer for 15 years, Bullitt has worked with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Allegheny Campus, Child Development Center for the past ten.
"Ms. Nettie," as the children call her, works primarily with two toddlers, assisting with their basic needs and promoting positive self-esteem. She also implemented the Partners Achieving Literary Success (P.A.L.S.) Program at the Center, reading colorful, animated stories to the children. In addition, Bullitt makes dress-up clothing for the children and donates stuffed animals and dinosaurs to the Center.
"Ms. Nettie's first priority is the needs of the children," writes Betty J. Shamblee, Director of CCAC Child Development Center. "She is a team player, a willing helper, very active
participant, a positive role model and a great asset to the Center. Nettie is the personification of an ideal Foster Grandparent."
Mamie Moye recently celebrated her 75th birthday and, as the Beaver County recipient of the Director's Award, she has yet another reason to celebrate. Moye has volunteered with the Beaver County Head Start Rochester site for nine of her last 14 years in the FGP program. She assists with various needs in the pre-school program.
"Mamie provides that extra pair of hands which is often needed in preschool," said Dorothy Smith, Beaver County Head Start teacher. She helps tie shoes, open juice and watches over the children during a cutting activity. Most importantly, adds Smith, "she is there when the children need a special hug after their little feelings have been hurt."
Smith praises Moye's dedication to the program. "She attends many days when the aches and pains of a senior life would keep many people home."
In addition to volunteering through the Head Start program, Moye watches over her 10-year-old grandson while her daughter works. She often asks the Head Start staff for suggestions of activities to engage his active mind and body.
Dorothy Gaiser, the Butler county Director's Award winner, began volunteering 15 years ago with the Butler County Head Start Program. "Grandma Dot" helps wherever she is needed in the program, including serving breakfast and lunch, washing dishes, aiding with classroom organization, and assisting with field trips.
The Head Start Program site assistant, Heather Horstman, praises Gaiser's service. "She comes to work on days she doesn't need to be there, attended the staff recognition dinner and parent appreciation dinner, [and] attends the end of the year activities."
"Working with Grandma Dot has helped me with raising my own kids," explains Melissa Furl, a Head Start bus monitor and lunch carrier who works closely with Gaiser. "She has good childcare ideas and just listening about her childhood and raising her kids, you get ideas for things you can change that might help."
"She's just a marvelous person," according to Boyle. "People of all ages would love for her to be their real grandmother."
Betty Brown, or "Grandma Betty" is the Washington County recipient of the Director's Award. Brown has been volunteering for five years with the Rainbow's End Learning Center, a daycare and learning center in Washington. Brown interacts with many of the children at Rainbow's End, but developed a special relationship with a young girl with Down's Syndrome.
"Betty and the little girl have developed a special bond," explained Peggy Bond, a teacher at Rainbow's End. "Each lights up when the other walks into the room. She has a great deal of patience with this little girl and can get her to do things that none of the rest of us can."
Brown began volunteering in the infant room at the Center five years ago. "She then graciously agreed to move to the 2-year-old room when she was needed," Bond said. "After developing a bond with a special needs child in the 2-year-old room, she aided in his transition to the 3-year-old room."
"She was one of the original volunteers at the start of the Washington FGP branch five years ago," according to Sharon Cone, FGP Field Coordinator for Washington County. "We call her 'Spicy' because she's small but mighty."
Mary McCoy will receive the Director's Award for the In-Home Visitor Program of the FGP. McCoy's award is unique in that, unlike the other FGP winners, McCoy was nominated by her fellow In-Home Visitor volunteers instead of the program's judges.
McCoy has been involved with the Allegheny County In-Home Visitor Program for 13 years. Michael Parker, Field Coordinator for the Program, describes McCoy as a "team player who does what's necessary to benefit the program."
McCoy has s'ent the last 2 years volunteering with a family with four children under the age of five. McCoy helps around the home, assisting in feeding, bathing and dressing the children and coloring and working with them on their letters and colors.
"She's there for about four hours a day; up to three days a week," explains Parker. "She treats them [the children] like they're her own."
McCoy's In-Home Visitor peers admire her dedication to the program. She "visits her family in the rain and snow," wrote Lillie Mae Tracey in her nomination for McCoy.
FGP volunteer Juanita Curgas described McCoy as "very kind and understanding…she has a good relationship with everyone she comes in contact with.
The Annual FGP Recognition Luncheon, "Spreading Our Wings," will take place on Thursday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the Four Points Sheraton in Cranberry.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is dedicated to keeping the families and communities of Allegheny and Washington Counties safe. A humanitarian service organization currently servicing more than 1.5 million people, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters and sends nearly 1,000 emergency messages to U.S. service members separated from loved ones. The American Red Cross trains more than 45,000 people in vital lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter also locally supports senior volunteer services like the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter by phone at (412) 263-3100, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
