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 12, 2005 American Red Cross Reminds Families and Businesses to Be Prepared for Emergencies
American Red Cross Reminds Families and Businesses to Be Prepared for Emergencies
PITTSBURGH, PA – In response to the devastating explosions that occurred in London today and the resulting raise in threat level to "orange" for mass transit in the United States, the American Red Cross would like to remind families and businesses of the most important preparedness steps they can take: make a plan, build a kit, get trained and volunteer. "All Americans are encouraged to review their disaster preparedness plans," said Rob Skertich, chief operations officer of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. "By taking these simple preparedness steps, everyone can be better prepared for any type of disaster, whether a terrorism incident or a natural disaster." The following are American Red Cross recommended preparation steps:
Make a plan: review and/or create a disaster plan that includes when and where your family will meet or who you will call in case of an emergency.
Build a kit: create a disaster supplies kit with such items as a first aid kit, flashlight, map, emergency contact numbers, water, snacks, etc. Double-check that the kit is stocked and ready to take with you at a moment’s notice.
Get trained: Being trained to save a life in Red Cross First Aid and/or CPR with AED can prove essential to your friends, family or neighbors in times of emergencies.
Volunteer: In times of emergencies, organizations like the American Red Cross can use your help in helping others. Consider giving back to your region and volunteer for the Red Cross today. The specific preparedness steps that the American Red Cross suggests for families and individuals for an "orange alert" level build upon preparedness steps that everyone should take at the lower alert levels. A complete list of these action steps for families, individuals, businesses, schools and neighborhoods is available on our Web site at www.swpa.redcross.org.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, a United Way Partner Agency, 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 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.
