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
May 18, 2004 Wine Tasting, Jewelry Showcase to Benefit Local American Red Cross
PITTSBURGH - Ever wonder how you looked while adorned in diamonds? Thanks to locally-based Henne Jewelers, individuals who attend the upcoming Red Cross fundraiser can try on a number of gems and see for themselves.
“Glitter and Grapes” is the Red Cross fundraiser designed to appeal to the area’s emerging leaders by promising an elegant evening of wine tasting, delicious hors d’oeuvres and stunning jewelry at The Duquesne Club on Wednesday, May 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Henne Jewelers will provide a jewelry showcase with proceeds of all sales that evening going to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross to aid in its mission to help respond to, prepare for and prevent local emergencies. The jewelry showcase will include one-of-a-kind pieces from Henne’s house line, Exclusively Nina. (Nina herself will be attending). Pieces will also include an Art Nuevo (1910) brooch in perfect condition; pieces from Mark Patterson’s Intensity line; an 8ct diamond ring; 20ct diamond necklace; a pair of platinum, black onyx & diamond Art Deco earrings; as well as a selection of items which may be purchased for less than $100.
John and Anne Henne also contributed a $1,000 gift certificate to be raffled off that evening. Special guest, Candace Otto, Miss Pennsylvania 2004, will pull the winning ticket.
Emily Mack Jamison is the Honorary Chair for this benefit.
The cost to attend the event is $45 per person. All proceeds will stay in the Southwestern Pennsylvania area to help the Red Cross help Pittsburgh-area families.
To register for this event and for more information, contact Julie Smith at 412-263-3112 or smithjul@usa.redcross.org or visit www.swpa.redcross.org
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is dedicated to keeping families and communities safe in Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette Counties. A humanitarian service organization currently servicing more than 1.5 million, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 300 local disasters and speeds nearly 1,000 emergency messages to U.S. service members separated from loved ones. The local American Red Cross trains more than 45,000 people in vital lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR. Also, the chapter supports local senior volunteer services like the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. To donate or volunteer, call 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.
May 18, 2004 Being Prepared as Storm Season Strikes Pittsburgh: American Red Cross Provides Tips and Assistance for Those Affected
PITTSBURGH, PA – You can be prepared for or react to a flood emergency, says the local American Red Cross.
According to experts in the Emergency Services Department at the Red Cross, the rate of rainfall and how long it lasts contribute to potential flash flooding. Flash flooding can occur within minutes and can destroy buildings, carry away automobiles, and tear out trees.
“The best advice the Red Cross can give to residents in flood-prone areas is to be prepared by taking precautionary steps to protect their homes and families,” said Mike Adametz, Director of Emergency Preparedness at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross offers the following guidelines to prepare for flooding.
Residents should know if their area’s flood risk. If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
Radio or TV stations may inform listeners or viewers to be prepared for a flood or flash flood watch or warning. A watch means a flood is possible in your area; a warning means flooding is already occurring or will soon occur.
If a flood watch is issued in your area, move furniture and valuables to the higher floors of your home and fill your car’s gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.
If a flood warning is issued, listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If an evacuation notice is issued, do so as soon as possible.
Flash flood watches and warnings mean you should be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice. If you think flooding has already started, leave immediately. Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades as they indicate potentially damaging and dangerous areas. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately. According to the National Weather Service, it only takes two feet of water for a vehicle of any size to float, while even one foot of water can begin the process of propelling a vehicle into deeper unstable water. If you come upon flowing water that is above your ankles, stop and go another way.
“Even if you think you can make it through the water because your car is big or your home is just on the other side, think again; you may become a statistic, and a statistic is no comfort to your family,” warns Adametz.
The Red Cross recommends assembling a flood safety kit in case you would need to evacuate quickly. The kit should contain:
- First aid kit
- Canned food, can opener, and bottled water
- Battery-powered radio
- High-powered flashlight and extra batteries
- Boots and rubber gloves
- Blankets
Another step in being prepared is creating a flood evacuation or escape plan. Decide ahead of time several places you could go if you are told to evacuate. Adametz suggests a friend’s home in another town, a high-ground motel or a shelter.
All family members should know how to turn off gas, electricity and water and how to properly call 911, the police and fire department.
If you are affected by the flooding and need help, please call the American Red Cross at
1-888-217-9599.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free to families, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from people in the community. To help the victims of flooding and other disasters, you can give to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by sending a contribution to: Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, American Red Cross, 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, visiting swpa.redcross.org, or calling 1-888-217-9599.
The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania serves over 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters each year, facilitates more than 2,600 emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 50,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross in Southwestern Pennsylvania is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, as well as the Homeless Prevention Services of Washington County. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters. It is only through the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania that the local Red Cross is able fulfill its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other lifesaving emergencies. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
May 4, 2004 LOCAL RED CROSS ASSISTING AREA POOLS, HOSTS LIFEGUARD TRAINING
PITTSBURGH, PA – In an attempt to adequately staff city and county public swimming pools this summer, the local American Red Cross chapter is seeking swimmers interested in becoming summer lifeguards to go through its certification courses for the next two weekends.
The swimmers that successfully complete Red Cross's "Aquatic School" will have the proper certification to apply for summer lifeguard positions - jobs the Red Cross says seem plentiful.
"We get inquiries from employers looking for lifeguard candidates on a regular basis. We're not an employment agency, but we do have a vested interest in making sure that we're filling a community need in addition to providing important lifesaving training to our local citizens," says Matt Clay, Director of Health and Safety at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross.
The American Red Cross Aquatic School will be held over two long weekends, starting May 13, at University of Pittsburgh Trees Hall pool in Oakland. There are still openings. To register or for more information, please call the Red Cross at 412-263-3128.
To qualify for entry into the Lifeguard class, you must be at least 15 years of age. You must be able to swim 500 yards (20 lengths of the pool) and be able to surface dive nine feet and retrieve a 10-pound diving brick.
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.
