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| Getting Prepared and Helping Others
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 By Kelly McCann
Since President Roosevelt’s proclamation in 1943, March has served as American Red Cross Month. Each year in March, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter and thousands of other local chapters take the opportunity to remind people of the ways in which the Red Cross touches the lives of thousands. Last year alone, the St. Louis Area Chapter touched the community 407,434 times.
“Red Cross month is an opportunity to emphasize the diversity of Red Cross programs and services and to remind the community that the Red Cross is here to help individuals prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies,” says Stephen Hall, a spokesperson for the Red Cross.
In a national poll conducted by the Red Cross, two in 10 Americans responded that they felt they were prepared for a disaster. However, 82 percent of Americans stated that they would get prepared if they knew what to do. With the Midwest among the least prepared regions in the United States, the Red Cross created Prepare Greater St. Louis. The five-year initiative encompasses two tracks: personal preparedness and Red Cross readiness.
“Achieving preparedness takes everyone in the community working together and it starts with the individual,” says Hall. “When an individual makes it a personal priority for themselves and their families, they are on the right track for being as prepared as possible. The Red Cross is here to help people achieve that level of readiness and to act as a resource in that effort.”
The Together We Prepare campaign consists of five easy ways to ensure you and your family are personally prepared for an emergency or disaster and offers ways in which you can reach out and serve the community.
Make an Emergency Plan:
This step starts by communicating with family members. First, discuss the possible disasters that could occur in your area. Living in St. Louis, threats of single-family fires, tornados and earthquakes are most frequent. Second, each family member should be assigned a role to play in an emergency situation. Finally, decide on two places to meet in case of an emergency. The first place should be located somewhere outside your home and the second place should be away from home, outside the neighborhood.
Build a Disaster Relief Kit:
A disaster relief kit is critical in retaining self-sufficiency in the aftermath of a disaster. The relief kit can be used if you are forced to remain in your home for a period of time and can also be taken along if you are forced to evacuate your home. Ready-made kits are available for purchase from the Red Cross.
Get Trained in First Aid and CPR:
In 2005, more than 80,000 people were trained in life-saving CPR and first aid. Through this training, individuals are prepared to make a difference by intervening and saving lives. Ordinary individuals who become local heroes after taking action based on their training are presented with the Lifesaver Award. Classes are offered weekly and on weekends in various locations to accommodate your schedule. You can even participate in online training, which allows you to study and take pretests at your convenience from the comfort of your home. Then, simply go to a Red Cross location to demonstrate your skills and to receive certification.
Volunteer:
The Red Cross is able to help the community in a variety of ways because of its volunteers. Volunteering with the Red Cross is an opportunity for families to spend time together while demonstrating a commitment to helping others. You and your family can be among the 2,500 needed volunteers by joining a disaster action team, becoming a health and safety instructor, serving meals to disaster victims, helping soldiers arrange trips home for the birth of their children and much more. The YouthCorps program is an opportunity for students ages 12-24 to get trained in emergency preparation and leadership development. The program is organized through schools and allows students to train their peers.
To become a Red Cross volunteer, fill out an application online at www.redcrossstl.org/volunteer.htmor call 314.516.2876.
Give Blood:
According to Jim Williams, manager of communications for the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region, 60 percent of Americans are eligible to donate blood. Unfortunately only 5 percent of the eligible 60 percent actually do donate. Some people who do donate only do so once a year at work, church, etc. Most donors can give blood every 56 days, up to six times per year. In 2005, over 3,000 blood drives were held in the greater St. Louis area. However, blood is still in short supply. The Red Cross should have a five to seven day supply of blood, but right now they only have a four to four and a half day supply. The universal blood type, O negative, is of utmost importance because everyone can receive this type. Right now, the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region has less than a two-day supply of O negative blood.
“There is a need for more blood donation and for those who do donate to do so more often than once a year,” says Williams.
To make an appointment or to obtain more information, call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE or visit www.americanredcrossblood.org.
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Get Your Family Involved and Build Your Disaster Relief Kit Today
Below are items you should include in your disaster relief kit in order to ensure your family is prepared for an emergency or disaster:
• One gallon of water per person per day for three days
• Three-day supply of non-perishable and high protein foods for each member of your family; examples include energy bars, peanut butter and ready-to-eat soup
• First aid kit
• Personal items such as prescription medications
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Tools, supplies and sanitation items
• Money in the event that ATMs are not available or not working
• Important family documents
• Clothing and bedding
• Pet supplies if you have furry friends
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About the Author:
Kelly McCann is a senior at Saint Louis University studying communication, spanish and marketing. She hopes to continue her passion for journalism by interning for us this semester. She enjoys writing, water skiing and volunteering with non-profits. You can e-mail her at savvyfamily@yourjournal.com.
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