As published in the Jefferson County Journals .

On Friday, August 11, Omar Ruiz of the American Red Cross Jefferson County Service Center was interviewed on KJFF Radio (1400 AM). Ruiz focused on three topics during the 30-minute discussion: the local Red Cross response to the recent power outages and heat wave, an appreciation luncheon hosted for Jefferson County volunteers, and the St. Louis Area Chapter's recognition of local heroes for saving a life.

During periods of excessive heat in the metropolitan area, the Red Cross supports the United Way's Operation Weather Survival. In this support role, the St. Louis Area Chapter provides cold liquids to United Way cooling sites as needed. Following the severe windstorms in late-July that led to widespread power outages, the Red Cross transitioned to a disaster relief operation as many people faced a stifling heat wave with no electricity to cool their homes.

For more than seven days following the storm, over 200 local Red Cross volunteers assisted in the relief effort as four 24-hour emergency Red Cross shelters were opened. More than 750 people sought relief through the Red Cross sheltering operation, and more than 15,300 meals and snacks were served through those shelters in cooperation with the Southern Baptists, Missouri Convention.

In addition, with support from the National Guard and other Red Cross chapters throughout Missouri, approximately 60,000 heater meals were distributed throughout the metropolitan area. Community distribution locations were determined in cooperation with city and county emergency management agencies in Missouri and Illinois.

Red Cross volunteers are highly trained and enable the Red Cross to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies. To honor all Red Cross volunteers in Jefferson County for their service to the organization and the community, the service center in Arnold recently hosted an appreciation luncheon.

At the luncheon, the Jefferson County Honor Award was given to volunteers who dedicated more than 100 hours of service to the Red Cross over the previous year. The following local residents received this award: Barbara Girshner (Fenton), Teena Kilo (Festus), Melinda Mudrovic (High Ridge), Kim Pack (Festus), Tom Richardson (Richwoods), Dan Staufenbiel (South St. Louis County) and Jerry Stevens (Imperial). The Jefferson County Outstanding Volunteer Award honors the person who has made the single-most profound impact on Red Cross programs and services in the county over the previous year. This year, the award went to Brittany Schumacher of Barnhart. KJFF Radio also received recognition as the Jefferson County Business Partner of the Year for its ongoing two-year sponsorship of a monthly live program featuring various Red Cross programs and services.

Ruiz concluded the interview by discussing the American Red Cross Lifesaver Program, established in 1984 to acknowledge people for developing skills through training and then reaching out to save a life. By sharing these true stories of bravery, the Red Cross hopes to inspire others to also get trained in First Aid and CPR. Each year, the St. Louis Area Chapter trains more than 85,000 people in First Aid and CPR, including more than 14,000 in the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

On Aug. 7, Lifesaver Awards were bestowed upon 24 local heroes during a ceremony at Chapter headquarters. People from all walks of life received honors - from police officers, nurses and a salesman to YMCA employees, neighbors and a postal worker. A common theme throughout many of the stories is the use of an AED to save a life. These devices are a crucial element in the cardiac chain of survival, and the Red Cross strongly supports the placement of AEDs in public areas to increase accessibility in an emergency situation.

In March, 2006, three Jefferson County residents received Lifesaver Awards for their actions during two separate workplace incidents. Employees performed basic First Aid to treat a co-worker for shock after his arm was severely injured, and another man administered abdominal thrusts to a co-worker after he began choking during a lunch break.

To find out more about the recent Red Cross disaster relief effort, how to volunteer for the organization, or to nominate someone for the Lifesaver Award, please call the Jefferson County Service Center in Arnold at 636.464.9150 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.

The next Red Cross interview will air live on KJFF - 1400 AM at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 8.