Earthquake App Brings Safety Information to Mobile Devices

     The American Red Cross released its official Earthquake App, putting lifesaving information right in the hands of people who live in or who visit earthquake prone areas.
    This free app—available in English or Spanish—is the third in a series created by the American Red Cross, the nation’s leader in emergency preparedness, for use on both iPhone and Android platforms. The Earthquake App comes on the heels of the highly successful First Aid and Hurricane apps, which have more than 1 million users.
    “This app gives users instant access to local and real-time information, so they know what to do before, during and after earthquakes,” said Dr. Steven J. Jensen, member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Committee, and a professor in emergency management at California State University at Long Beach. “The new, simplified ‘Shake Zone Impact Maps’ provide users with personalized local impact information on the status of their community in order to help them make crucial decisions.”
    Features of the app include:

• Earthquake epicenter location, impact magnitude and local geographical impact data provided by the U.S. Geological Survey;
• Personalized push notifications, monitoring both magnitude and geography;
• A “Shake Zone Impact Map” that provides real-time, simplified impact assessment when available;
• Comprehensive reporting of all seismic activity for every geographic area in the United States;
• Options to view the app in English or Spanish based on user handset settings;
• One touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm’s way;
• Locations of open Red Cross shelters;
• Simple steps and checklists people can use to create a family emergency plan;
• Preloaded content that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity;
• Information on events that may happen after earthquakes such as fires and tsunamis;
• Toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm; and
• Badges users can earn through interactive quizzes and share on social networks.

    “The new customizations and introduction of the ‘Shake Zone Impact Map’ can help individuals and families gain a better understanding of the effects of earthquakes both near their homes or where friends and family reside,” said Jack McMaster, president of Preparedness and Health and Safety Services for the Red Cross. “With more than 1 million downloads and high praise from the digital community, the Red Cross has established itself as a leader in mobile apps that put critical information in people’s hands when they need it most,” McMaster added.
    National Red Cross experts in health, safety and preparedness have thoroughly reviewed and field tested the information and advice provided in Red Cross apps. A recent Red Cross survey found that apps have tied social media as the fourth most popular way for people to get information during emergencies, making the Red Cross app development effort even more important.
    The Earthquake App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross. Apps can help prepare people for disasters, but they are not a substitute for training. Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED training empowers people to know how to respond to emergencies in case advanced medical help is delayed. People can visit redcross.org/takeaclass for course information and to register.
     The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year and we help people get ready to respond to emergencies by providing these apps for free. The Red Cross needs the help of the public to continue this lifesaving effort. People can make a donation to the Red Cross by going to redcross.org, texting REDCROSS to 90999 or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.

Tina Jones to Head Emergency Services at American Red Cross of Southwestern New York

The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York has selected Tina Jones to lead and coordinate Red Cross emergency services throughout Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties.  Tina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development from SUNY Empire State College and has certifications in education and counseling.  She previously served as an educator, counselor, and caseworker at Catholic Charities of Western New York, where she worked with at-risk adolescents and their families to develop and implement corrective action plans.

In her role as Emergency Services Manager Tina will be responsible for the delivery of Red Cross emergency services to the community, to include disaster relief services, service to armed forces, and community disaster education programs.  As a member of the Red Cross’s western New York regional team, Tina will also ensure seamless integration of the Chapter’s disaster response activities with regional and national level response efforts during major disaster events.

All disaster assistance offered by the American Red Cross is complimentary and made possible by generous contributions from the American people and residents of southwestern New York. The United Way organizations of southwestern New York also provide financial support to the local Red Cross mission

Red Cross Responds to Disasters- Large and Small

The American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters every year. That’s one about every nine minutes. Most people hear about the large disasters that affect a large part of the country - emergencies like Hurricane Isaac that recently devastated the Gulf Coast. The residents of LaPlace, Louisiana suffered when Hurricane Isaac hit the area. Water poured into homes, at times waist deep.

It has been two weeks since the waters flooded people’s homes. At first, Red Cross response vehicles pushed disaster relief supplies, including clean-up kits, snacks, and water. Now Red Cross caseworkers are meeting with families to provide access to resources and tools to support the recovery process.

While not as well-known as big hurricanes, the Red Cross also responds to disasters like home fires - personal tragedies that can leave families with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Recently, the Red Cross in Southwestern New York has responded to help 20 people in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties just in September alone. The Red Cross helped with various house fires, flooding incidents and other disasters. The Red Cross provided emergency relief, which may have included shelter, food, personal hygiene items, and clothing, and provided referrals to help the victims try to get back on their feet.

Throughout the United States the Red Cross has been busy as well. In Killeen, Texas, the Red Cross provided shelter, meals and other support for 29 residents displaced by an apartment fire. In Pascagoula, Mississippi, five families were displaced when fire hit their apartment building. The Red Cross worked with the families to fill their immediate emergency needs. And in Brentwood on Long Island, the Red Cross helped four families after an explosion destroyed one home in the neighborhood and damaged neighboring houses.

Disasters can happen anywhere, at any time. Incidents like these are devastating to those involved. No matter where the emergency occurs, or how large the disaster, the Red Cross is prepared to respond. There are more than 70,000 trained disaster volunteers across the country ready to lend a hand, along with a fleet of more than 320 emergency response vehicles ready to travel through affected neighborhoods to distribute meals and relief supplies.

A donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief can help provide shelter for someone who has had to leave their home, food and water for them to eat, a warm blanket on a cold night. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Another way to help those in need is to become a Red Cross volunteer. Learn how to help run a shelter or be part of an emergency response vehicle team. There are many different positions people can learn about to be part of their chapter’s disaster response team. By becoming a Red Cross volunteer, you can change lives, starting with your own. Contact your local office for more information: Jamestown 716-664-5115; Olean 716-372-5800 or Wellsville at 585-593-1531.

Prepare for Official Start of Fall Season

    With the official start of autumn on September 22, the American Red Cross urges preparedness as the season changes and temperatures fall.
    As cooler weather starts to set in across the country, families and individuals will turn on heating sources such as furnaces, fireplaces, space heaters and wood or coal stoves to warm their homes. Remember the biggest disaster threat is not floods, tornadoes or even hurricanes - it’s home fires. In fact, the Red Cross responded to 63,000 in 2010. That’s one every eight minutes. But unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented.
  Families should make sure to take necessary precautions when using heating sources and never leave a portable heater or fireplace unattended. Other safety steps when using alternative heating sources include:

• Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.
• Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
• Place space heaters on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
• When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over as another safety measure.
• Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
• Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
• Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces professionally inspected and cleaned once a year.
• Learn more about how to prevent home fires.

   While it’s important to prepare for seasonal changes, people should remember that hurricane season continues through November 30. Particularly residents living in areas which can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes need to stay prepared.
   The Red Cross has hurricane preparedness steps people can follow to make a plan, build a kit, and be informed. An emergency kit should include items such as a gallon of water per person, non-perishable food, a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, medications and copies of important documents. Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan. Learn about how your community responds to hurricanes and plan routes to local shelters. And remember family members with special medical needs and plan how you will care for your pets.
   The Red Cross Store has items available for your preparedness kit, ranging from a hand-crank radio to a fully stocked deluxe emergency preparedness kit.
    People should also download the free Red Cross Hurricane App for iPhone and Android smart phones to access instant preparedness information. The app puts real-time information on hurricane safety at people’s fingertips while keeping individuals and families informed of the storm’s progress from the National Weather Service. The app also features information on Red Cross shelters, a toolkit with flashlight and alarm, and a one-touch “I’m Safe” button connecting to social media outlets to tell family and friends they are okay.
   Links to the apps can be found at redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps. The Hurricane and First Aid Apps can also be found in the Apple App Store and theGoogle Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

Ready-Set-Hut! Prepare!

Take a break from all of that backyard football; it’s time to make that family game plan! You make a game plan to score the winning touchdown versus your uncle and cousins, now it’s time to sit down at the kitchen table and make the winning play of preparedness. Pull out your playbook in the Red Cross Preparedness app and see what it suggests. Assess the defense: what could the opposing team- Team Mother Nature- throw at you. Be ready for any sneaky plays that you are not ready for, because disaster could sneak up on you at any time and tackle you! Just don’t fail to prepare or you will have a flag on the play and be penalized. So put your family game plan in action and score big in disaster preparedness!

Red Cross Still Needs Your Help for "Pains in the Alleganies"

On Sept. 23, athletes from the area will test their strength in ‘Pain in the Alleganies’, a half iron man and relay event, at the Allegany State Park. A Half Ironman consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. The event will also include an Aquabike Half, Sprint Triathlon, and a Duathlon coordinated by ScoreThis!!.

The Red Cross needs volunteers on Sept. 22 to help setting up the course from 4:30pm-8:00pm  and various times starting at 7:00am until 4:00pm on race day to work at water stations, registration tables and along the course. “This is a great event for the Cattaraugus County area,” stated Kathy Burch, chapter assistant executive director. “Every person who signs up to volunteer for the Red Cross on the day of the event earns the Chapter a donation towards our programs and services in Cattaraugus County.  They also receive a free t-shirt from race organizers.”

For more information, please contact the Olean Red Cross Office at 716-372-5800. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way agency. 

Red Cross Responds to Help Family in Whitesville, NY

The Southwestern NY American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to provide disaster relief following a house fire during the evening on September 16, 2012.

DAT volunteers Bob Shook of Cuba, Mona Meagher of Andover and Carol Bentz of Alfred were on scene to provide the initial disaster assistance. Temporary housing, clothing, and meals are services typically offered to address emergency needs. The local Red Cross chapter will continue working with the family and their recovery process if additional services or referrals are necessary.

All disaster assistance offered by the American Red Cross is complimentary and made possible by generous contributions from the American people and residents of Allegany County. The United Way organizations of Allegany County also provide financial support to the local Red Cross mission.