New American Red Cross Online Tools Help Businesses and Schools Prepare for Emergencies
The American Red Cross has launched a new collection of free, online tools to help businesses, schools and other organizations prepare for emergencies.
These enhancements to the Red Cross Ready Rating™ program offer specific steps that organizations can take to be better prepared.
The new features include:
• An Emergency Response Plan Tool, which enables program members to build a customized plan to help their employees know their roles in the first 24-72 hours of an emergency;
• A Next Steps report that recommends specific actions members should take and the level of effort required to execute them;
• A Resource Center that includes preparedness tools including activities and exercises, so businesses, employees and students can better develop and practice preparedness plans;
• A Ready Rating Store with emergency supplies at the click of a button;
• An enhanced user experience that enables easier sign up and access to all tools available.
“Contingency planning is crucial,” said Glen Hendricks, Emergency Services Director, Southeastern Michigan Region “The new Ready Rating program components make it even easier for organizations to get started and to help improve the readiness level for those who already have plans in place.”
Emergencies like power outages, water main breaks and medical emergencies can disrupt daily operations. Disasters like tornados, floods, earthquakes and fires have the potential to cause workplaces to fold and schools to close. In an effort to better prepare for such events, Ready Rating members complete a confidential assessment of their current readiness level for emergencies and receive immediate, customized feedback with tips and resources for them to improve their readiness scores.
More than 1,300 businesses and organizations and nearly 450 schools are already Ready Rating members. Members have increased their assessment scores – some by as much as 42 percent. 93 percent of members rate the service as good to excellent.
The Ready Rating program is consistent with Private Sector or PS-Prep Standards developed by the Department of Homeland Security. Anheuser-Busch Companies is the program’s national founding sponsor and Sam’s Club is a national sponsor.
More information about this valuable program and the new components can be found at readyrating.org.
Red Cross Urges People to Volunteer
If you like helping people, the Red Cross is the place for you.
DETROIT, MI, APRIL 19, 2012 — This National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, the Southeastern Michigan Region is celebrating its dedicated volunteers and partners. These volunteers power the American Red Cross, making it possible for the organization to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.
The Red Cross is also encouraging people who have been thinking about volunteering to take the plunge. People wanting to make a difference should contact the Southeastern Michigan Region to learn about getting involved. Right now the Red Cross especially needs people who would like to help their community.
Volunteers are central to the work of the Red Cross in Southeast Michigan and in communities across the country, as on average, the Red Cross has 15 volunteers for every one employee. These volunteers are people in action—whether providing comfort to a family whose home has been washed away in a flood or getting an emergency message to a member of the military whose father is critically ill.
American Red Cross volunteers...
• Teach first aid, CPR, swimming and other lifesaving skills.
• Respond to disasters and reconnect families separated by disasters or conflict.
• Support blood drives across the country.
• Help veterans, members of the military and their families in the U.S. and overseas.
Red Cross volunteers are united by their service and the feeling that in changing others’ lives, their lives are also changed. To volunteer, contact the Southeastern Michigan Regional Chapter at semredcross.org; 313-576-4158.
American Red Cross Responds to Deadly Midwest Tornadoes
The American Red Cross is responding across the Midwest where dozens of tornadoes ripped through communities overnight, destroying buildings and downing power lines. Red Cross workers are already operating shelters and providing meals, and more help is on the way.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these tornadoes,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president for Red Cross Disaster Services. “Red Cross chapters are already offering folks food and a safe place to stay and more workers and equipment are being sent it to help people who were in the path of these storms.”
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center reported at least 97 tornadoes blew across Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Particularly hard hit were the towns of Woodward and Norman in Oklahoma, the towns of Creston and Thurman in Iowa and areas in and around Wichita, Kansas. Currently, hundreds of relief supplies are being moved to the affected areas. These supplies include comfort kits, tarps, coolers, rakes and other cleanup supplies. The Red Cross is also sending in additional staff and disaster equipment.
SAFE AND WELL The Red Cross encourages people to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website to let loved ones know they are safe by visiting www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). From a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell and click on the “List Yourself as Safe and Well” or “Search for Friends and Family” link.
People in the affected areas can let loved ones know their status on the Safe and Well site. Friends and family outside the disaster area can then search for messages from their loved ones by using a pre-disaster phone number or complete address. Safe and Well also enables disaster survivors to update their Facebook and Twitter status through the website.
SAFETY STEPS Officials said the severe weather may continue today from Texas to the upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the country. Information about what to do if tornadoes threaten is available on the Red Cross web site.
The Red Cross reminds people who live in areas hit by the overnight storms that they should not return to their neighborhoods until authorities say it is safe to do so. Other safety steps include:
* Stay out of damaged buildings.
* Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sturdy shoes when examining homes for damage.
* Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.
* Use battery-powered flashlights when examining buildings—do NOT use candles.
* If someone notices a gas smell or hears a hissing noise, they should open a window and get everyone out of the building quickly. They should also call the gas company or fire department.
* Keep animals under control.
* Clean up spilled medications, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids that could become a fire hazard.
HOW TO HELP People can help those affected by disasters like these tornadoes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Contributions enable the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.
ANNUAL DISASTER GIVING PROGRAM The Red Cross is able to respond quickly when emergencies happen with the help of corporations who are members of the organization’s Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). ADGP members pledge donations on an ongoing basis to allow the Red Cross to pre-position supplies and be ready to take immediate action when disasters occur.
ADGP members include 3M, Altria Group, Aon, Bank of America, Caterpillar Inc., Cisco Foundation, Citi Foundation, ConAgra Foods Foundation, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Darden Restaurants, Inc., Dell, Inc., Dr Pepper Snapple Group, FedEx Corporation, GE Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, John Deere Foundation, Johnson Controls, Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Kraft Foods, Lowe's Companies, Inc., Merck, Morgan Stanley, Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Northrop Grumman, Optum, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation, Ryder Charitable Foundation, Southwest Airlines, State Farm, Target, The TJX Companies, Inc., UnitedHealthcare, UPS, Walmart, The Walt Disney Company and Wells Fargo.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
National Headquarters
2025 E Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
www.redcross.org
Contact: Public Affairs Desk
FOR MEDIA ONLY
Phone: (202) 303-5551
American Red Cross offers resources for families through call center
Based community need our distribution/service center at the Creekside Intermediate School and neighborhood distribution of services will remain open through Tuesday, March 20 from 7am-7pm. On Wednesday, March 21 services will shift to our Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter. Anyone needing information on Red Cross tornado relief services is urged to call 734-961-3009. This call center is a resource for families with questions about the variety of services available through the Red Cross.
If you would like to let your loved ones know you are OK, or if you are looking for someone who lives in the Dexter area, visit the Red Cross Safe and Well site, www.safeandwell.communityos.org.
• Register yourself as Safe and Well so your friends and family know you are OK
• Look for friends and family members who have registered with safe and well
If you would like to help, please donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Donations of food, clothing and other items can not be accepted. If you would like to make a donation, call 734-971-5300 or visit wc-redcross.org to make a secure online donation. Donations are also welcome in person at the American Red Cross, Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter, 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
American Red Cross Call Center Opens as Resource for
Red Cross volunteers are canvassing neighborhoods affected by the recent tornadoes to provide, water, snacks and health services. Along with providing Red Cross services caseworkers are also directing clients to additional recovery resources in the community.
Anyone needing information on Red Cross tornado relief services is urged to call the Red Cross Call Center at 734-961-3009. This line is a resource for families with questions about what types of services the Red Cross is providing and how to access them.
Based on the needs of the community we are moving our services to the Creekside Intermediate School to offer, water, snacks, health services and service information. Creekside Intermediate School will open at 7am on Sunday. It will not be used as a shelter. The shelter at Mill Creek Middle School, where these services were offered before will close today at 6pm Saturday.
Creekside Intermediate School
2615 Baker Rd.
Dexter, MI 48130
If you would like to let your loved ones know you are OK, or if you are looking for someone who lives in the Dexter area, visit the Red Cross Safe and Well site, www.safeandwell.communityos.org.
• Register yourself as Safe and Well so your friends and family know you are OK
• Look for friends and family members who have registered with safe and well
If you would like to help, please donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Donations of food, clothing and other items can not be accepted. If you would like to make a donation, call 734-971-5300 or visit wc-redcross.org to make a secure online donation. Donations are also welcome in person at the American Red Cross, Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter, 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Continuing Efforts as the American Red Cross, Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter Responds to Dexter Tornadoes
The tornado outbreak in Dexter Thursday left a trail of destroyed homes and wreckage in its path. Two days later, residents begin the clean-up process and trying to move on. As the recovery efforts begin the Red Cross is responding to the needs of the community by bringing our services to the affected neighborhood.
Red Cross volunteers will be out on the streets offering water, snacks, health services and clean-up kits to the residents as they clean, recover and heal. A shelter will be open to the residents at the Mill Creek Middle School also providing water, snacks, health services and basic needs.
Shelter Information
Mill Creek Middle School
7305 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd
Dexter, Michigan 48130
In Ann Arbor, the shelter at the Salvation Army on Arbana Street on Pauline Boulevard will close at noon today as there is no longer a need for the shelter in that area.
If you would like to let your loved ones know you are OK, or if you are looking for someone who lives in the Dexter area, visit the Red Cross Safe and Well site, www.safeandwell.communityos.org.
• Register yourself as Safe and Well so your friends and family know you are OK
• Look for friends and family members who have registered with safe and well
If you would like to help, please donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Donations of food, clothing and other items can not be accepted. If you would like to make a donation, call 734-971-5300 or visit wc-redcross.org to make a secure online donation. Donations are also welcome in person at the American Red Cross, Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter, 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
American Red Cross, Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter Responds to Dexter Tornadoes
The city of Dexter was hit hard Thursday afternoon by an outbreak of tornadoes that left approximately 13 homes destroyed and over 100 dwellings affected.
The Red Cross is responding to the needs of the community. A Red Cross shelter has been set up at Mill Creek Middle School in Dexter for residents and will provide health services, mental health services, food, water and basic needs. At daybreak our Emergency Services Department will conduct a full assessment of the neighborhoods affected and will respond accordingly.
Shelter Information
Mill Creek Middle School
7305 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd
Dexter, Michigan 48130
Due to extensive flooding at the Park Place Apartments in Ann Arbor, the Red Cross, in conjunction with the Salvation Arm, opened a second shelter in Ann Arbor. This shelter will also provide health services, mental health services, food, water and basic needs.
¬Shelter Information
Salvation Army
100 Arbana Drive
Ann Arbor, MI
If you would like to help, please donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Donations of food, clothing and other items can not be accepted. If you would like to make a donation, call 734-971-5300 or visit wc-redcross.org to make a secure online donation. Donations are also welcome in person at the American Red Cross, Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter, 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Southeast Michigan Region Disaster Volunteers Head to Louisville, Kentucky
Southeastern Michigan Region disaster volunteers are traveling south to help Louisville, Kentucky residents recover from the recent tornado outbreak in the South and Midwest where as many as 95 confirmed tornadoes touched down.
“Yesterday we learned that additional disaster workers were needed to support relief efforts in Louisville, Kentucky,” said Southeastern Michigan Region Emergency Services Director, Glen Hendricks “So today five local volunteers are headed south to support the tornado relief efforts.” These volunteers will join other Red Cross workers who continue to offer shelter, food, emotional support and relief supplies to the thousands of people affected be last week’s tornadoes.
“This is what makes volunteering special with the Red Cross,” explained Neil Todd “It’s like family—you’re needed to help this member out now, and if another one is in need, you pack up and help them through their difficulty. Red Cross volunteers in other states have provided us with the same generosity of their time and skills.”
“Our Region’s volunteers are trained to provide a variety of disaster relief services for the people they help,” explains Hendricks. “It is extremely rewarding work and the volunteers always say they get so much more from the people they help than vice versa.” Just like the Red Cross asks Southeast Michigan to be prepared for emergencies, volunteers must be ready prior to a disaster. The Chapter offers training classes for volunteers to be knowledgeable about what is involved in disaster response from the large scale hurricane responses to our number one and daily response to residential fires.
If you would like to help people affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes and storms, you can make a donation today to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC, 20013.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
The Southeastern Michigan Region proudly serves the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe and St. Clair.
Read MoreSoutheast Michigan Region Disaster Teams Head to Louisville, Kentucky
[Detroit, MI, March 8, 2012] – Southeastern Michigan Region disaster volunteers are traveling south to help Louisville, Kentucky residents recover from the recent tornado outbreak in the South and Midwest where as many as 95 confirmed tornadoes touched down.
“Yesterday we learned that additional disaster workers were needed to support relief efforts in Louisville, Kentucky,” said Southeastern Michigan Region Emergency Services Director, Glen Hendricks “So today five local volunteers are headed south to support the tornado relief efforts.” These volunteers will join other Red Cross workers who continue to offer shelter, food, emotional support and relief supplies to the thousands of people affected be last week’s tornadoes.
“This is what makes volunteering special with the Red Cross,” explained Neil Todd “It’s like family—you’re needed to help this member out now, and if another one is in need, you pack up and help them through their difficulty. Red Cross volunteers in other states have provided us with the same generosity of their time and skills.”
“Our Region’s volunteers are trained to provide a variety of disaster relief services for the people they help,” explains Hendricks. “It is extremely rewarding work and the volunteers always say they get so much more from the people they help than vice versa.” Just like the Red Cross asks Southeast Michigan to be prepared for emergencies, volunteers must be ready prior to a disaster. The Chapter offers training classes for volunteers to be knowledgeable about what is involved in disaster response from the large scale hurricane responses to our number one and daily response to residential fires.
If you would like to help people affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes and storms, you can make a donation today to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC, 20013.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
The Southeastern Michigan Region proudly serves the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe and St. Clair.
During Red Cross Month, Help People In Need By Supporting the American Red Cross
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, Detroit, MI — During March, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to help people in need by supporting the lifesaving services it provides.
“Please remember those who need our help and support the Red Cross by making a donation, becoming a volunteer, taking a class, or giving blood,” said James J. Laverty, Regional Executive Officer, Southeastern Michigan Region “We want to thank everyone for their generosity, which has enabled us help people here at home, across the United States, and around the world.”
March is Red Cross Month, first proclaimed in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since that time, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.
The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; collects and distributes more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than 9 million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.
Here in the Southeastern Michigan Region, we have responded to 1283 local emergencies, assisted military families and trained 157,509 people in lifesaving skills. And, people from this area donated approximately 220,000 units of blood.
“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission,” Laverty said. “Their kindness will enable us to continue our work, both here at home and across the globe.”
The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping the people the Red Cross services.
The Southeastern Michigan Region of the American Red Cross serves the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, St. Clair and Monroe. Please check our local websites for Red Cross Month events and activities.
www.semredcross.org
www.wc-redcross.org
www.arc-monroe.org
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.