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, Pennsylvania – Nov. 11, 2004 --- With a career beginning and remaining in Pittsburgh for the past 35 years, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter not only received a well-known name as its new chief executive officer, but also a well-respected man in business.
Timothy L. Tassone, 58, of Churchill, was selected for the position of chief executive officer of the local Red Cross chapter. He had been acting CEO for the past nine months, but the official announcement was made Thursday, Oct. 28, that he was selected and had accepted.
“I was very honored by the decision from the National American Red Cross and our board,” said Tassone. “My full commitment from the start was to become a meaningful part of this great organization and the important safety and preparedness work that we do for all of our neighbors in southwestern Pennsylvania every day. I will now be able to fulfill my commitment.”
Tassone began his work in the advertising business in 1969 with the Lando Inc. agency. After being account manager at Lando on such accounts as Erie Brewing Company and The Quaker State Gasoline Company, Tassone accepted a position at MARC & Co. (now MARC USA) and was account supervisor on many well-known area accounts such as Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurants International and The Marriott Hotels.
The next step in his career brought Tassone to the level of second-in-charge of Fhalgren & Ferris’s Pittsburgh’s office in 1977. He oversaw the office’s operating system and program as well as client service on accounts such as Foodland and Endicott-Johnson. Tassone then moved to Ketchum Communications and he was vice president and management supervisor of an advertising and direct marketing account group at the company.
In 1983, a change in Tassone’s career took him to the marketing and communications department at Mellon Bank as the vice president of the design services division.
His marketing/communications experience then led him to establishing his own consulting business which was merged into Robert L. Stevenson, Inc. Advertising Agency and became know as Tassone/Stevenson, Inc. The agency then merged with Hallmark Advertising, forming Hallmark/Tassone, Inc. which is currently named ten united.
Tim served as the First Vice-Chairman of the Board as well as the chairman of the Marketing and Communications Committee for the American Red Cross and in 2003 received an Outstanding Service to the Chapter award. A retired adjunct professor at the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University after teaching there for 17 years, Tassone has also been on the board of directors of the Golden Triangle YMCA, The Health Research and Services Foundation, the Worldwide Partners Organization and the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. He is currently a member of the Carlow College Division of Management Course Advisory Committee and was appointed to the Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Council directed by Bishop Donald Wuerl.
Tassone is the author and publisher of several marketing/communications texts, and was the recipient of the 1997 Outstanding Achievement Award for Advertising Agencies and Allied Advertising Industries by the Pittsburgh Radio and TV Club. He was also a finalist for the Pittsburgh Business Marketing Association’s Ad Agency Executive of the year in 1999.
A graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in 1968, Tassone received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and journalism.
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.
November 11, 2004 Keeping Our Military Families in Touch More than 1,100 Local Families Assisted by the Red Cross in the Last Year
Keeping Our Military Families in Touch
More than 1,100 Local Families Assisted by the Red Cross in the Last Year
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – As the war in Iraq continues, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to update our local military community of the vital services available from the Red Cross during times of emergency.
The American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) program 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.
"Throughout Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Red Cross is a crucial communication link during emergencies," explains Ryan Miller, Director of Social Services for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. "Each month more than 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."
Over the last year Red Cross AFES volunteers have delivered more than 1,100 emergency messages to remote locations overseas including isolated military units, ships at sea, embassies and hospitals. Emergency messages include a serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child, or death of a loved one.
When contacting the Red Cross for emergency message assistance, military family members should have ready the following information on the service member:
• 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 known military address, and date of last contact or date of entrance into military.
American Red Cross Urges Military Families to Learn of Services Available to Them - 2
Red Cross volunteers are available to take AFES emergency phone calls seven days a week, 24 hours a day from the comfort of their homes.
To volunteer as an AFES caseworker for the American Red Cross, please call the Red Cross at 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.
November 11, 2004 Be Prepared: Red Cross Offers Home Heating and Cold Weather Precautions for a Safe Winter
Be Prepared: Red Cross Offers Home Heating and Cold Weather Precautions for a Safe Winter
PITTSBURGH, PA, --Thursday, November 11, 2004 — With a dramatic rise in apartment and house fires during the cold weather months, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter urges families to be safe in their efforts to stay warm as home heating hazards are typically to blame.
“As the colder temperatures move into the forecast, it is essential for families to be responsible when using additional heating sources,” said Ryan Miller, Director of Social Services for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. “During the cold months people should be aware of the precautions their families should be taking to stay safe and warm.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, four out of seven home fires occur during the coldest months of December, January and February, and about half of these fires are caused by using candles and overloading electrical circuits. The local Red Cross responded to 153 fires in the months from last November through February, which is nearly half of the amount of fires responded to last year. With temperatures dropping early this year, many families are turning to alternative heating sources out of necessity or to avoid the rising cost of oil and gas. The Red Cross encourages families to take the following precautions:
• Be aware of overuse of electrical outlets - Don't overload your electrical outlets. Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.
• Be cautious with portable space heaters- Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets, and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don't leave children or pets unattended with space heaters, and be sure everyone knows that drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire hazard.
• Be careful with candles - Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only. Keep candles away from combustible materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
• Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves - Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season. Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Burn only wood - never burn paper or pine boughs. Do not hang holiday decorations from or on your fireplace if you plan to use it as a heat source.
• Check smoke detectors - Make sure detectors are working properly and that new batteries are installed.
• Use generators carefully- If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors-never operate it inside, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.
• Create a disaster supplies kit — Get together lifesaving items in both your home and vehicle. Go to www.swpa.redcross.org for a list of materials.
• Protect yourself from freezing temperatures – Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the cold – Most of the body’s heat is lost through the head, so a hat is essential in the cold. Dressing in layers helps the body to retain heat. Wearing waterproof, insulated boots will protect against hypothermia and frostbite and also provide help maintaining your footing in ice and snow.
For more valuable information on preventing, preparing for and responding to emergencies, contact your local American Red Cross chapter or visit www.swpa.redcross.org.
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.
November 3, 2004 Disaster Preparedness Training Weekend: Dec. 10-12 & Feb. 18-20
Disaster Preparedness Training Weekend: Dec. 10-12 and Feb. 18-20, 2005 American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter and CCAC Public Safety Institute Offer Courses for Volunteers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Public Safety Institute and the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter have teamed up to offer disaster training courses to volunteers interested in opportunities to respond to both local and national disasters.
The courses offered at the training weekend at the CCAC campus on the Northside will be:
• Introduction to Disaster Services, Friday, 12/10 & 2/18, 6-9 p.m.
• Family Services, Saturday, 12/11 & 2/19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Mass Care: An Overview, Sunday, 12/12 & 2/20, 9 a.m. to noon
• Shelter Operations, Sunday, 12/12 & 2/20, 1-3 p.m.
• Damage Assessment I, Sunday, 12/12 & 2/20, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
All courses are open to the public and are $2 each. To be eligible to join the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) and respond to local disasters such as flooding, fires or chemical explosions or national disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires, volunteers must complete the five courses offered during the weekend beginning with the Introduction to Disaster Services. This comprehensive training prepares the individuals to understand and implement the Red Cross response to disasters. After completion of all five courses, participants are eligible to be national volunteers, which is an opportunity to travel to disasters nationwide for a 2-3 week assignment and help disaster victims when they need it most.
If interested in attending, call CCAC at 412-237-2500 to receive an enrollment form or visit www.ccac.edu. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
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November 3, 2004 Local Red Cross Program Sees Results during Sept. 17 Flooding
Local Red Cross Program Sees Results during Sept. 17 Flooding
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Nov. 1, 2004---The first emergency call received by the local chapter of the Red Cross on Sept. 17, the first day of the recent flooding disaster, was from a personal care home in Allegheny County that did not have an evacuation plan. The flooding forced 25 residents to quickly evacuate from their facility---most of the residents needed wheelchairs, walkers or canes in order to move. This facility is not alone in its need for a disaster preparedness plan.
The Emergency Preparedness Program, implemented by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross and funded through The Pittsburgh Foundation, is offering training for facility administrators, staff and residents to prepare them to meet the next disaster with a calm, organized response. Organizations can participate in one of these trainings by contacting Sandi Wraith, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross at 412-263-3147.
“We work with special needs facilities on several levels,” said Wraith. “We provide facility administrators with the tools and knowledge they need to develop a comprehensive emergency plan. We train facility staff on essential disaster preparedness and response measures. And, finally, we provide facility residents with information on simple steps they can take to prepare themselves and their families for disasters.”
“During last month’s flooding, we also received calls from persons who were evacuated wanting to find members of their families to let them know they were OK. We can help residents devise plans for these instances for whenever another emergency occurs” said Wraith.
The American Red Cross has been involved in preparing for and responding to disasters since 1881. As a humanitarian organization, it is especially attuned to the painful effects that disasters have on individuals and families. Throughout the years of service to disaster victims, the Red Cross knows that many of the negative effects from disasters can be avoided or minimized through careful planning and preparedness.
The owners of the homes and businesses that were affected by last month’s flooding may clearly see what needs to be done to prepare for a similar occurrence in the future. But other organizations, schools, nursing facilities, and even hotels may not have these essential plans in place. Now more than ever, locations that need emergency plans can obtain training in what to do and how to organize resources for an effective and safe response to another disaster.
Consideration must be given to the needs that may affect the ability of the residents, clients and staff to safely respond to an emergency situation. The Red Cross Emergency Planning Program will enable any facility to complete a comprehensive emergency plan in 10 simple steps while incorporating any special needs that exist. The program also offers disaster preparedness training to facility staff, residents or clients. Again, for more information or to have a training come to your company, call Sandi Wraith at 412-263-3147.
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.
