Who:      David "Drew" Strobel, American Red Cross Senior Field Representative for the Tsunami Recovery Program 

What:     Strobel will be a guest speaker at the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter

When:    Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

Where:   The fourth floor boardroom of the Red Cross Chapter Headquarters, 225 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Why:      Strobel, a representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, will discuss American Red Cross international services, as well as his experiences in Thailand, via a presentation and photographs.  He will discuss programming the American Red Cross carries out with the Thai Red Cross Society in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2008 cyclone in Myanmar.Since the tsunami that occurred off the coast of Indonesia in 2004, the American Red Cross has devised, and is currently executing, a strategic plan to help survivors recover and rebuild.  By providing knowledge and training, the Red Cross aims to meet its goal-to ensure that communities are better prepared for the next disaster.

Info:     The program is open to the public.  For more information, call 888-217-9599.

PITTSBURGH - Summer is a time to enjoy fun-filled summer vacations and activities, but it is also a time of extreme heat and humidity.  Hot weather is often the cause of heat-related illness.  The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to ensure that area residents are beating the heat and taking the necessary safety precautions to keep cool during the hottest summer months.

Heat-related illnesses can ensue as the temperatures rise because perspiration is slowed and the body goes into overdrive trying to keep cool. Those individuals at highest risk to be affected are the elderly, children and people with mental illness and chronic diseases, however, heat-related illness does not discriminate; anyone can succumb to it.  Additionally, those people living in urban areas are also at high risk due to stagnant atmospheric conditions that often trigger respiratory problems.

"Our primary concern is the safety of the community," said Mike Adametz, Director of Emergency Services at the local Red Cross.  "By educating families on how they can protect themselves from extreme heat, we at the Red Cross can ensure that they take the proper safety precautions in avoiding heat-related illness."

As August approaches, keep the following safety tips and heat-related information in mind:

Red Cross Heat Safety Tips:

• Dress for the heat.  Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.  Light colors reflect away some of the sun's heat.  Also, it is a good idea to wear a hat or to use an umbrella.

• Use sunblock.  Avoid skin damage and protect yourself from harmful UV rays.

• Drink water.  Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to avoid heat-related illness.  Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously, even if you do not feel thirsty.

• Eat small meals and eat more often.  Avoid high-protein foods which increase metabolic heat.  

• Avoid strenuous activity.  If you must engage in laborious activity, try to do so in the early morning, when the temperatures are coolest, between 4 and 7 a.m.  During prolonged sun exposure, take frequent breaks.

• Stay indoors when possible.  If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.

• Be a good neighbor.  During heat waves, check on elderly neighbors in your neighborhood.  Additionally, look out for those who do not have air-conditioning.

• Learn Red Cross CPR and first aid.  Though the above tips can help prevent an emergency situation, you should be prepared in the case that one does arise.

Understand These Heat-Related Terms:

• Heat cramps:  Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that result from heavy exertion.  These are not serious, but are early signs that the body is having trouble with the heat.

• Heat exhaustion:  Heat exhaustion typically occurs when body fluids are lost through heavy perspiration.  This excessive sweating can result from over-exertion of the body through exercise or work.  With heat exhaustion, blood flow to the skin increases causing the flow to the vital organs to decrease.  This results in the form of mild shock and can lead to heat stroke (see below).  Signs include cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin; profuse sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.

• Heat stroke:  Heat stroke is life-threatening; help is needed fast!  The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweat to cool the body, stops working.  When this happens, the body temperature can increase so much that brain damage or even death can result if the body is not cooled quickly.  Signs include hot, red and dry skin; alterations in consciousness; rapid or weak pulse; and rapid or shallow breathing.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

• Heat cramps or heat exhaustion:  Relocate the victim to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation and help is needed fast! Call 9-1-1 immediately. Relocate the victim to a cooler place and quickly cool the body - immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing difficulties. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

For more information on these, and other safety tips, or for a CPR or first aid class schedule, call 888-217-9599 or visit swpa.redcross.org.

PITTSBURGH - Renee Willow, Emergency Services Volunteer Coordinator with the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, has been deployed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to assist with the flooding that is currently devastating the Midwest.

Willow, a resident of Greenfield, will deploy July 3 and will remain in Iowa for approximately three weeks.  She will assist Red Cross personnel with disaster relief efforts, including staffing the operation.  Willow will be responsible for determining and acquiring the Red Cross staff needed to carry out the numerous activities.  She may also assist with coordinating the lodging and travel accommodations of Red Cross volunteers deployed in Iowa.

Active with the Red Cross since 2002, Willow received her disaster training through the American Red Cross Sacramento Sierra Chapter in California; she then transferred to the local Red Cross in 2003.

This marks Willow's sixth deployment to assist with a national Red Cross disaster relief operation.  That experience will prove invaluable in the current relief operations.

"There is continuity between the chapters and standardized training," said Willow.  "Volunteers come from Red Cross chapters across the country to work together.  I think that's the really amazing thing when these disaster relief operations are pulled together quickly and efficiently."

Willow is the seventh individual from the local Red Cross recently deployed to assist with the Midwest flooding.  Local volunteers currently deployed include Karrin Holmes of the North Side (Iowa), Tom Palmquist of Bethel Park (Iowa), Judy Dulemba of Ross (Indiana), Lou Lantzy of Turtle Creek (Indiana), Virginia Lantzy of Turtle Creek (Indiana) and Theresa Creighan of Oakmont (Alabama).

For more information on the Midwest flooding, visit redcross.org. For more information on how you can help, call 888-217-9599 or visit swpa.redcross.org.