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
PITTSBURGH, September 26, 2004 - Red Cross volunteers are finalizing their damage assessments, which indicate that more than 3,300 families in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas may have an opportunity to be offered Red Cross assistance in the coming weeks due to flood damage.
An overview (updated daily) of Red Cross services for affected families - including important Community Drop Off Locations - is available at the local Red Cross Chapter website at swpa.redcross.org
Other statistics you‘¦ll find on the website, include:
# of clean-up kits distributed by Red Cross to affected areas: 1901
# of meals and snacks distributed from Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles: 17,940
# of conversations between a Red Cross licensed mental health volunteer and a flood-affected family member: 1,016
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, and relies on charitable contributions from the community. You can help the victims of recent flooding, Hurricane Charley, Frances and Ivan as well as other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit swpa.redcross.org
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September 27, 2004 URGENT FLOOD RELIEF REQUEST: RED CROSS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS THIS WEEK
URGENT FLOOD RELIEF REQUEST:
RED CROSS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS THIS WEEK
PITTSBURGH, September 27, 2004 The American Red Cross is asking for three specific types of volunteers to help families affected by local flooding. The opportunities are as follows:
MASS CARE VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers will ride in the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles to help deliver meals and supplies to families in affected areas. Volunteers will be trained prior to beginning the assignment.
Volunteers will be expected to:
Begin work tomorrow or Wednesday.
Commit to three working days in a row.
Volunteer long days 8 a.m. through the dinner hour, or longer. (ending times may vary)
Navigate with a map throughout various areas in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
Perform physical work such as lifting and bending
If interested, please call 412-263-3141.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers will drive throughout affected areas to perform Red Cross damage assessment. Red Cross will train you prior to the assignment.
Volunteers will be expected to:
Begin work tomorrow.
Commit to three working days in a row.
Volunteer long days 8 a.m. through the dinner hour, or longer. (ending times may vary)
Navigate with a map throughout various areas in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
If interested, please call 412-263-3141.
FAMILY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers will talk to flood-affected families, one-on-one, to match their needs with Red Cross financial assistance. Prior casework experience is preferred. Red Cross training is necessary, but Red Cross will train you.
Volunteers will be expected to:
Begin working this week.
Commit to one solid week of volunteerism.
Volunteer long days 8 a.m. 6 p.m.
If interested, please call 412-263-3141.
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, and relies on charitable contributions from the community. You can help the victims of recent flooding, Hurricane Charley, Frances and Ivan as well as other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit swpa.redcross.org
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September 17, 2004 Pennsylvania, Be Prepared: Red Cross Offers Safety Tips
PENNSYLVANIA, BE PREPARED:
RED CROSS OFFERS SAFETY TIPS
FOR FLOODING
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004 -- With the rains from Hurricane Ivan making their way into Pennsylvania, the American Red Cross wants to ensure that families remain safe and prepared.
Knowing what to expect is the best way to protect your family, says Ed Robertson, Red Cross Relief Operation Director for the Hurricane Frances floods in Pennsylvania. "Planning ahead is also a significant step to a calmer, safer response."
The Red Cross offers the following guidelines when preparing for flooding or any disaster.
Make a Plan
Establish responsibilities for each family member to work together as a team.
Determine a meeting place in case an evacuation is sudden and possible locations to take pets.
Develop an emergency contact list and keep it updated.
Practice an evacuation route.
Identify a location to go if told to evacuate.
Choose several places such as a friend's home in another town, a motel or a shelter.
Build a Disaster Supply Kit with the following:
Essential medications
Non-perishable food and can opener
At least three gallons of water per person
Protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping bags
Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries
Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
(more)
Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise to do so. (Remember, a professional should turn them back on.)
Money and personal items
Know your 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. Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, and relies on charitable contributions from the community. You can help the victims of Hurricane Charley, Frances and Ivan as well as other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit our website at www.redcross.org to make a secure donation.
Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide.
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September 17, 2004 Red Cross Continues Help To Pennsylvania Flood Victims
RED CROSS CONTINUES HELP
TO PENNSYLVANIA FLOOD VICTIMS
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004 The American Red Cross is continuing to help the hundreds of local families affected by flooding as a result of Hurricane Frances.
Red Cross volunteers have provided emergency shelter, food or clothing to 226 families who have experienced damages caused by flooding in several Pennsylvania counties. Red Cross damage assessment indicates that another 75 local families may need emergency assistance.
When flooding first hit the area, Red Cross volunteers opened six shelters so 111 individuals could seek safe refuge from the storms. Volunteers have also distributed 880 meals and snacks and provided 580 clean-up kits in the area. A Red Cross clean-up kit includes a broom, mop, bucket and cleaning supplies.
If you were affected by Pennsylvania flooding and may need Red Cross services, please call your local Red Cross chapter.
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, and relies on charitable contributions from the community. You can help the victims of Hurricane Charley, Frances and Ivan as well as other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit our website at www.redcross.org to make a secure donation.
Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide.
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September 17, 2004 RED CROSS OPENS SHELTER TO HELP WASHINGTON COUNTY FAMILIES AFFECTED BY FLOODING
PROVIDING SUPPORT TO ALLEGHENY COUNTY AREA MUNICIPAL SHELTERS
WHAT: The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter to provide a safe haven for families affected by today's flooding.
WHERE: The Red Cross shelter is located at the Mt. Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Department.
WHO: If you are a Washington County resident who has experienced flooding and need a place to stay, please come to the shelter, or for non-emergency information call the American Red Cross at 412-263-3132.
WHEN: The Mt. Pleasant Township VFD shelter is open NOW. The shelter will continue to stay open as long as families need Red Cross assistance.
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, assists more than 1,000 military families by facilitating emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 45,000 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.
September 17, 2004 AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFERS FLOOD CLEAN-UP GUIDANCE
Families affected throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania is urging families affected by recent floodwaters to consider the following suggestions for what to do after a flood.
Seek necessary medical care at the nearest hospital or clinic. Contaminated flood waters lead to a greater possibility of infection. Severe injuries will require medical attention.
Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations, and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods, such as contaminated waters, crumbled roads, landslides, mudflows, and other hazards.
Continue to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or television stations and return home only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so. Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede; there may be flood-related hazards within your community, which you could hear about from local broadcasts.
Report broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury. Check with your utility company now about where broken lines should be reported.
When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Building damage may have occurred where you least expect it. Watch carefully every step you take.
Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.
Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings. Battery-powered lighting is the safest and easiest, preventing fire hazard for the user, occupants, and building.
Examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage. Cracks and damage to a foundation can render a building uninhabitable.
Look for fire hazards. There may be broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances. Flammable or explosive materials may travel from upstream. Fire is the most frequent hazard following floods.
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service.
Check for sewage and waterline damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes.
Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into buildings with the flood waters. Use a stick to poke through debris. Flood waters flush snakes and many animals out of their homes.
Watch for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could fall.
Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
After returning home:
Throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters. Some canned foods may be salvageable. If the cans are dented or damaged, throw them away. Food contaminated by flood waters can cause severe infections.
If water is of questionable purity, boil or add bleach, and distill drinking water before using. Wells inundated by flood waters should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking. If in doubt, call your local public health authority. Ill health effects often occur when people drink water contaminated with bacteria and germs.
Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. If the water is pumped completely in a short period of time, pressure from water-saturated soil on the outside could cause basement walls to collapse.
Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.
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The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania serves over 1.' 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.
September 8, 2004 Be Prepared: American Red Cross Offers Safety Tips to Prepare for Potential Flooding
Be Prepared: American Red Cross Offers Safety Tips to Prepare for Potential FloodingHow to Keep Your Family and Home Safe
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 8, 2004 -- With the rains from Hurricane Frances making their way into the Pittsburgh region and a flood watch in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to ensure that families in the area remain safe and prepared.
Knowing what to expect when a flood watch or warning has been issued is the best way to protect your family, said Michael Adametz, Director of Emergency Preparedness for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter.
The Red Cross has activated (412) 263-3132 for anyone interested in receiving a disaster preparedness brochure and suggests the following tips to keep families and homes safe in the event of flooding:
A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in the area. A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in the area. Planning ahead is the first step to a calmer response.
Make a Plan
Establish responsibilities for each family member to work together as a team.
Determine a meeting place in case an evacuation is sudden and possible locations to take pets.
Develop an emergency contact list and keep it updated.
Practice an evacuation route twice a year.
Build a Kit
First Aid kit and essential medications
Non-perishable food and can opener
At least three gallons of water per person
Protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping bags
Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries
Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise to do so. (Remember, a professional should turn them back on.)
Money and personal items
Identify a location to go if told to evacuate. Choose several places such as a friend's home in another town, a motel or a shelter.
Know your area's flood risk. If unsure, call the Red Cross at (412) 263-3100, or the local emergency management office or planning and zoning department. If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood. Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, and relies on charitable contributions from the community. To make a monetary donation or to volunteer, call (412) 263-3100. Donations to help our local community prepare for flooding should be sent to:
American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter
225 Boulevard of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Or, visit our website at www.swpa.redcross.org
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September 6, 2004 Local Red Cross Gets Prepared For Hurricane Frances
LOCAL RED CROSS GETS PREPARED FOR HURRICANE FRANCES
PITTSBURGH, September 3, 2004 In an effort to fully prepare for what experts are calling 'a storm as devastating as Hurricane Andrew', volunteers and staff at the local Red Cross have been dedicating the last two days to readying their chapter for Hurricane Frances.
Red Cross staff have been calling trained volunteers to assess their availability and eagerness to deploy to Florida over the next few weeks. Red Cross workers have also been checking communications systems, pagers, phone lists and making numerous calls to ask those associated with the chapter to be 'at the ready.'
If Hurricane Frances hits as predicted, Red Cross anticipates it will receive and will need to manage phone calls from local families checking on the welfare of family members in Florida. Red Cross also anticipates coordinating requests from companies, organizations and individuals looking for ways to help.
"We are gearing up to have the resources in place to appropriately help our local community who may have ties or interest in the areas within the hurricane's path," says Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter CEO Tim Tassone. "We have spent a good part of the last two days checking our supplies, assessing our human resources and practicing our call-down procedures so that we are ready to move the second we need to."
About the (national) American Red Cross
Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 900 field units dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by over 1 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 70,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and keeps U.S. military families connected worldwide. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.
About the (Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter) American Red Cross
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter helps families stay safe in Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette Counties. A humanitarian service organization currently servicing more than 1.5 million people, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter annually mobilizes relief to victims of more than 300 disasters and sends nearly 1,000 emergency messages to U.S. service members separated from loved ones. The local Red Cross trains more than 45,000 people in vital lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR and locally sponsors senior volunteer services such as the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. To donate or volunteer, call 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.
