Manager Uses CPR Training to Save a Life

When sitting in an American Red Cross course learning CPR, it can be difficult to imagine the circumstances where you’ll have to use the skills learned to save a life. In most cases, we may never know what emergency will arise, but we can be ready. Whether checking for breathing, performing compressions or even calling for help, knowing how to quickly respond in these critical moments helps save lives.

 Panera Bread Production Manager Larry Meier knew something serious was wrong when he saw his coworker, Dale, collapsed on the floor of the company’s Commerce City Fresh Bread facility. Meier immediately went to Dale’s side while instructing another coworker to call 911. Meier began chest compressions and continued administering CPR until paramedics arrived about four minutes later.

His actions kept vital blood pumping to Dale’s brain and ultimately saved his life. Meier first learned CPR in the 1970s and more recently received refresher training from an employer.

 “Dale’s my friend and I’ve had the training. I knew something had to be done, and with the training it was instant – I just started it and did it,” Meier said. He added, “It comes back real fast. You’re nervous while you’re doing it, but it comes back.”

The Red Cross presented Meier with a Lifesaver Award last week in honor of his outstanding actions that fateful day last month. The Red Cross Lifesaver Award is given to recognize a lifesaving act performed by an individual who utilized skills learned through Red Cross health and safety training.

“I’m so glad he knew CPR …Everybody should take a test and learn CPR,” Dale said.

 One quarter of Americans say they’ve been in a situation where someone needed CPR. If you were one of them, would you know what to do? The ability to perform CPR can make a lifesaving difference when someone suffers a cardiac or breathing emergency.

The Red Cross trains millions of people each year in CPR and AED and offers several training options, including a 30-minute Citizen CPR class which teaches Hands-Only CPR and full CPR training. All First Aid, full CPR and AED training carry a 2-year certification. You can find more information and register for a class by visiting the CPR and AED page on our web site.

In addition to training, the Red Cross can help you obtain an AED for your home, business or organization and offers AED program management, maintenance and service.

Gold For the Gold... In Water Safety!

     There’s something inspirational about watching swimmers go for Olympic gold every four years. And while most of us aren’t on track to stand on the podium, we can all take a lesson on water safety.
    The Red Cross swimming and water safety program is set up to teach everyone—children to adults—how to swim. In addition, it covers basic water safety rules, how to tell if a swimmer is in distress or is drowning and how and when to call for emergency help. You also learn how to help someone in trouble in the water while keeping safe yourself.
    Contact your local Red Cross chapter to find out which aquatic facilities in your area offer Red Cross swimming and water safety courses.
    Even if you already know how to swim, practicing water safety is always important. Follow these simple steps to enjoy the water safely this summer:
    Know before you go—don’t swim if you don’t know if it’s safe. Wear a life jacket if you are unfamiliar with the area.
    Always closely supervise children whenever they are near any body of water. Weak or inexperienced swimmers should wear U. S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets anytime they're around water.
    Swim with a buddy in a designated area that is supervised by lifeguards. Recheck the water and weather conditions on arrival and during your stay.
   Heed the warnings and special instructions of lifeguards or other authorities as well as flags or signs.
  Walk carefully into open waters; do not dive.
   Know how to respond to an emergency (including lifesaving CPR skills), how to tell if a swimmer is in distress or is drowning, and how and when to call for emergency help.
    If you have a pool or hot tub, keep lifesaving gear handy. Always have on hand a ring buoy, life jackets, rope, pole or other object that can be used to help a person in trouble. Be sure to have a first aid kit, cordless phone and emergency contact information by the pool.
     And remember, swimming in lakes, rivers and oceans can be safe and fun at a designated swimming area that is protected by lifeguards; however, if these elements are not in place, always assume that any natural body of water is too dangerous for swimming.

Pool Safety Week- Portable Pools

Portable Pools-Keep them Safe

Portable pools vary in size and height, from the tiny blow up to larger designs that hold thousands of gallons of water.  They are easy to use, affordable and fun for the whole family. Unfortunately, portable pools can be deadly and present a real danger to young children.

Smaller portable pools should be emptied and put away after every use to avoid any children getting in when they are unsupervised. Once the larger portable pool is set up, ensure a high level of supervision at all times. Try to fence in pools and encourage neighbors to do the same. Keep larger pools covered and remove access ladders when adults are not present.  Install alarms on doors and fences leading to the pool area so you know when someone enters the area.

No one is “drown-proof.” Teach all children and any one you allow access to you pool to swim, float and other basic life-saving skills. Try to have one person in your household trained in first aid and CPR so you can always be prepared in case of an emergency. For more information on portable pools, how to take swimming lessons or information on how to take a first aid/CPR course, visit www.redcross.org.  

Pool Safety Week- Pools Should Be Fun Not Fatal

Pools should be fun not fatal

Swimming pools should be a place of happiness, relaxation and fun. Yet each year many families experience tragedies because of drowning and other pool injuries. Many of these tragedies could have been prevented. Adding an extra safety step in and around the water can make the difference around your pool. 

Too many families have experienced a close call when a child has a swimming, submersion, or even the scariest- a near drowning incident. These injuries could lead to broken bones, permanent brain damage, or the unfortunate-death.  Over three quarters of reported fatalities in pools were children younger than five.

The positive way of looking at pool dangers is that most injuries and drownings are preventable. By putting safety behaviors and systems into practice you can limit injuries even further. Use barriers and alarms on and near your pool. Create a pool safety toolkit to keep near the pool at all times. That way if the worst happens you are ready to respond.

Your pool safety kit should include a basic first aid kit, a pair of scissors (to cut hair     clothing or a pool cover) if needed during an emergency, a charged telephone to call 911 and a floatation device.

For more information on water safety or how to build your pool safety kit visit www.redcross.org.

Pool Safety Week- What's Your Pool Safety System?

What’s your pool safety system?

It’s great comfort when you own a pool knowing that it is safe for your family, neighbors, and any visitors that may be using it. This comfort comes from adopting and practicing as many water safety measures as possible. You never know how well a safety system works until it is needed. No safety system is foolproof, but each protective measure used in conjunction with adult supervision and other safety systems such as barriers, alarms and safety covers narrows the chance of incidents even further.

An outdoor swimming pool barrier is a physical obstacle that surrounds an outdoor pool so that access to the water is limited to adults. A successful pool barrier prevents a child from getting over, under, or through to gain access to the pool without adult supervision. It also gives parents additional time to locate a child before water can become a danger when they leave the house without supervision. Barriers commonly include a fence, wall or gate.   The barrier should be at least four feet high or taller and should not have foot or handholds that could help children climb it. Vertical fence slats should be less than four inches apart to prevent a child from squeezing through. If the fence is chain link, then no part of the diamond shaped opening should be larger than 1-3/4 inches.

Alarms are good to install on doors, gates, windows and pools to alert adults when unsupervised children enter the area of the pool without permission.  There are a number of alarms that can be used around a pool. Alarms can mount on the pool gate which are magnetized and switch the alarm on when the gate is opened. House doors that lead to the pool can serve as an extra barrier with an alarm. Pool-floating or wave alarms mounted on the edge of the pool sound when water has been displaced.  Check the alarm once it is installed that it can be heard from inside the home.

Pool covers add to pool safety because they give the message of “pool closed” for children. When properly in place over the pool it provides a high level of safety for children by inhabiting their access to the water. It is important to remove ladders and slides when using covers on pools. A cover should withstand the weight of two adults and a child to allow a rescue if an individual falls onto the cover. A pool cover should also be easily and swiftly removed from the water to respond to emergencies.

If you would like more pool safety tips or how to stay safe during the summer visit www.redcross.org. 

Pool Safety Week- Staying safe with a pool

Staying safe with a pool

    The best way to assure a safe and fun experience in a residential swimming pool is to add as many water safety steps as possible. Families can build on their current safety practices by adopting water safety steps at home.  By following these safety tips you can make sure your pool is safe for all ages.

    Stay close, be alert, and watch children in and round the pool. Keep an eye on each child the whole time they are in or near the water. Teach them basic water safety tips and to keep away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid them from getting trapped. Have a telephone close by at all times when using the pool. If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool area first.

    Learn and practice water safety skills in your pool. If you are not confident in swimming take lessons and teach your child how to swim as well. Take classes too in CPR and first aid for adults and children and keep them updated. Understand basic lifesaving in the water so that you can assist in a pool emergency. To take classes, contact your American Red Cross at 1800-REDCROSS.

    Install appropriate equipment for your pool. Have a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and use self-closing and self-latching gates, and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water and consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm.  Check drain covers to make sure they are compliant to the current regulations. Maintain pool covers in good working order.

  Keeping your pool safe keeps your family safe from any water accidents that may occur. For more water safety tips and how to protect your pool from danger visit www.redcross.org.

Pool Safety Week- How Safe is Your Pool?

How Safe is Your Pool?

Pools are great to have in the summer- a place to cool off and relax after a long hot day. It is important that everyone that has a pool to adopt water safety steps to prevent children from accessing the water when there is no adult supervision and are appropriately protected when an adult is available to supervise.

How safe is your pool? By answering these questions about your pool you can check the effectiveness of your water safety in your home. If you cannot answer these questions, determine what steps need to be taken to protect children from drowning injuries:

• Is there a fence around the perimeter of your pool?
• Are there self-closing and self-latching gates?
• Is there a door, gate or pool alarm?
• Does your pool have anti-entrapment drain covers?
• Are all pool covers in working order?
• Has someone in the family received training in CPR, first aid and emergency response?
• Has everyone learned how to swim?

Contact the American Red Cross to find swim classes closest to you at 1800-REDCROSS or by visiting www.redcross.org. 

Red Cross Supports Colorado Community After Tragic Shooting

The American Red Cross extends its deepest condolences to those affected by the tragic shooting early Friday morning in Aurora, Colorado.

At the request of local authorities, the Red Cross chapter in Denver sent mental health workers to Gateway High School in Aurora, which was set up as an evacuation center for people who were in the movie theater. The Red Cross also provided food and water to theater patrons as well as emergency responders at the evacuation center.

This has already been a difficult summer for people in the state of Colorado, after extensive wildfires burned hundreds of homes near the cities of Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. Red Cross mental health workers have been helping residents affected by those disasters, and are again available to support residents after this shooting. 

Marilyn Biggerstaff, a licensed clinical social worker with the Red Cross, says that people may experience a range of emotions after a tragedy such as this.

“People may struggle to understand how something like this could happen,” Biggerstaff says. “At a time like this, it’s important to ask for support from people close to you, surround yourself with people and activities that comfort you, and be careful not to overexpose yourself to media reports about the tragedy. This is a time to take care of yourself and your family.” 

Pool Safety Week July 22-29

   Water parks, municipal swimming pools and other indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities will be designating a day next week as “Pool Safely Day,” scheduling special events to remind everyone about pool safety. The events will be held in conjunction with the Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives campaign.

   The American Red Cross is partnering with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on the campaign.  Pool Safely works with partners around the country to reduce child drownings, near-drownings, submersions and entrapment incidents in swimming pools and spas. Parents, caregivers, and the media are encouraged to visit PoolSafely.gov or @PoolSafely on Twitter for vital safety information regarding the prevention of child submersions in and around pools and spas.

   This year, the campaign focus is on populations most at risk of drowning - children younger than 5 years old and African American and Hispanic children between the ages of five and 14. Almost 75 percent of child drowning fatalities involve young children under five. Statistics also show 70 percent of African American children and 62 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim, making them especially vulnerable around pools.

 Whether you’re taking a dip in the pool or enjoying a day at the beach, the Red Cross encourages safety. Some easy and simple steps to take when at or near a swimming pool include:

·         Staying close to children, being alert and watching them in and around the pool

·         Learning and practicing water safety skills (know how to swim and learn First Aid and CPR)

·         Having the appropriate equipment (compliant drain covers, alarms, fences and other barriers, and sensors)

Ideally, you should learn to swim before enjoying the water. Here are some steps to take to enjoy your summer water fun:

·         Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.

·         Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, but do not rely on life jackets alone.

·         Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

·         Enroll in Red Cross Water Safety, First Aid and CPR/AED courses or take the online Home Pool Essentials course to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.

·         Download the American Red Cross First Aid App.

    With children, constant supervision is key. Keep them in your line of sight at all times when enjoying the pool. Other steps to take include:

·         Secure the pool with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.

·         Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.

·         Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

·         Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.

·         If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

Keep Your Pets Safe!

Summer’s hot and humid weather can pose a serious danger to pets. The American Red Cross has helpful steps to keep the family pets safe and healthy during the sweltering heat.

Pet owners should not leave their animal in the car, even for a few minutes, when the hot weather arrives. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Pet owners are urged to refrain from leaving animals in the car, even with the windows cracked open.

Heat Stroke is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are prone to heat stroke. This is also true for any obese pet, a pet with an extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.

Some signs your pet may be developing heat stroke include heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down. Their gum color may be brick red, their pulse rate may be fast, or they may not be able to get up. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

Pet owners also need to be aware that animals may try to get out a window or door, which are more likely to be open as the weather warms. And some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. For instance, many lilies are very poisonous to cats.  Visit the ASPCA Poison Control web site to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.

Your pet is part of the family. And just like any other family member, pets deserve to be cared for and protected. Follow these important steps to help keep your pet at their best:

• Give your pet plenty of exercise.  Regular exercise will help your pet feel better and live longer.
• Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Get to know a veterinarian and make sure your pet has yearly checkups.
• Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.
• Get your pet spayed or neutered.
• Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation.
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available.

Animals can’t tell you when they aren’t feeling well. Many hide signs of illness until a problem is very advanced. Knowing what is normal for your pet and being able to recognize changes early, can make a huge difference in treatment success. The first step is to know what is normal for your pet – their gum color, heart/pulse rate, body temperature and breathing rate - so you can recognize when something is wrong.

Additional tips are located on our Pets and DisasterSafety Checklist. Pet First Aid courses are offered at many Red Cross chapters throughout the country. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid, comprehensive guides with DVDs to help your keep pets healthy and safe. From basic responsibilities, like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters, these guides offer information pet owners can trust. The next Cat and Dog First Aid training will be on August 22 from 6-9:30pm at the Buffalo Red Cross Service Center. If you would like to sign up, call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit www.redcross.org. 

Red Cross Wants YOUth!

Red Cross Wants YOUth!

            Summer is in full swing and for most youth, summer is filled with no school, no exams and free time. The only thing on the mind of young people is sleeping in late, hanging out with friends and enjoying the freedom that warm weather and sunshine brings. But here is another possibility—volunteering with the American Red Cross!

The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is right in your backyard, so why not take advantage of it. With offices in Jamestown, Olean and Wellsville, and blood drives in nearly every community, volunteering is easy. A youth volunteer has many options in ways they can help. Blood drives always need someone to help donors when they first come in at the registration table or after the donation process at the canteen area.

A College Red Cross Club in West Alabama.
Photo from www.redcrossyouth.org 

 At the local offices, the options are limitless! Youth volunteers could help clean up a storage area, organize disaster supplies, paint walls, help with a fundraiser or by answering phones and filing papers- just to name a few.  There is always something for everyone and every talent!

If youth want to dedicate more time to the Red Cross, they can help start a Red Cross Club in their schools to help educate their peers on preparedness and how to save a life through peer to peer presentations and extracurricular activities. 

The benefits go beyond the good feeling at the end of the day. Students can earn community service hours that could be used for school projects and college applications. Often when a youth volunteers, they dedicate their adult life to the Red Cross by joining the Disaster Action Team, by becoming a Blood Drive Coordinator or a regular office volunteer.

To find out more information about becoming a volunteer, contact your local Red Cross office in Jamestown at 716-664-5115, in Olean at 716-372-5800, or in Wellsville at 585-593-1531. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way Agency.

Heat, Humidity Can Lead To Dangerous Thunderstorms

Summer brings hot, muggy weather that can be ripe for surprise thunderstorms. The American Red Cross offers helpful reminders to slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

You should also wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, but not drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Other steps to take while it’s hot and humid include:

·         Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

·         Eat small meals and eat more often.

·         Avoid extreme temperature changes.

·         Postpone outdoor games and activities.

·         Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.

·         Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.

·         Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

·         Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

If thunderstorms develop, go indoors. 

If there is thunder, stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap. Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates, using battery-powered TVs and radios, rather than those powered with electricity. In a severe thunderstorm warning, evacuate mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.

If someone is driving, they should try to exit the roadway and park, stay in the vehicle, turn on the emergency flashers and avoid touching metal surfaces. If someone is stuck outside, they should avoid high ground, water, tall trees and metal objects. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are not safe.

After the storm, people should continue to listen to radio or TV for local information and stay away from storm-damaged areas, flooded roadways and downed power lines. They should check on the safety of people who may require special assistance, and keep pets and other animals under direct control.

Also, folks can prepare for a storm by downloading the American Red Cross First Aid App for iPhone and Android smart phone users. The app gives instant access to safety information at any time.

If someone has been struck by lightning, call 9-1-1 immediately. Then begin CPR or first aid. If someone hasn’t had Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED training, they can follow the prompts on their American Red Cross First Aid App for iPhone and Android smart phone users.

The Red Cross and TriDunkirk Needs You!

TriDunkirk Needs you!

Your help is needed this year at the TriDunkirk on August 25 and 26. Volunteers are needed for set up and registration on August 25 and with course events on August 26^th. Please contact the Red Cross at 716-664-5115 If you are willing to help this year. Please tell your friends because each volunteer means more proceeds from the event will help your local Red Cross. 

Red Cross Helps Residents Cope in the Aftermath of Diaster

The American Red Cross is helping residents who are recovering in the wake of severe storms and wildfires. While temperatures have returned to near-normal in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, more than 135,000 people remain without power across the country and wildfires continue to rage in the West.

In the last 24 hours, the Red Cross has provided shelter for more than 180 people at 20 locations in Florida, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio and West Virginia.

In West Virginia alone, more than 80,000 residents wait for the power to come back on after severe storms that hit the area more than a week ago. The Red Cross is helping those residents cope in the meantime. Hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers are working throughout the state, providing shelter, meals and supporting government-run cooling centers.

There are currently 13 shelters open caring for more than one hundred residents who have been displaced due to prolonged power outages. With four kitchens and approximately 20 emergency feeding vehicles, the Red Cross has served more than 68,000 meals and snacks since June 30. The Red Cross has also provided nearly 1,000health and mental health contacts, giving critical support in the shelters and affected communities.

The Red Cross is not alone in West Virginia. A reliable partner during times of disaster, the Southern Baptists has helped in establishing kitchens. The Red Cross has also contacted over 100 congregations, 20 volunteer fire departments and 7 school superintendents to help identify shelters and isolated communities needing support.

Meanwhile, approximately hundreds of additional Red Cross disaster workers continue to help people affected by disasters including the wildfires out west and flooding in Florida. Over the last month, the Red Cross has supported families across multiple states, operating shelters, serving hundreds of thousands of meals and snacks, and distributing nearly 200,000 relief items such as rakes, shovels, coolers, work gloves, cleaning supplies and hygiene kits.

“We are so appreciative of the volunteers being here, having someone to talk us through this has helped a lot,” said Carrie Rottenborn referring to the emotional support the Red Cross is providing. She and her husband lost their home to the Waldo Canyon wildfire near Colorado Springs.

The Red Cross continues to provide support to individuals and families across the country and remains a vital part of the disaster response for communities in need. And it may not be over just yet. Severe storms are predicted today for Mid-Atlantic and Mid-South regions. Wildfires continue to rage in the West.

The storms and power outages have caused the cancellation of more than 50 Red Cross blood collections in areas without power, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 2,000 units of blood and platelets. The blood supply was already down to emergency levels after 50,000 fewer donations than expected were collected in June.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. To schedule a donation time, people can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Red Cross to Offer Disaster Trainings

            The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York will be offering disaster training. These classes are strongly encouraged for those interested in volunteering in shelters, national level disaster assistance, or for the local Disaster Action Team in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. In order to ensure that our communities are ready and prepared, the American Red Cross offers all disaster training free of charge.

             Logistics: Overview will be held on July 21^st at the Red Cross Office in Olean from 9:30a-6p. This course is recommended for volunteers to provide basic information about the process of logistics activities in support of disaster relief operation.

            Disaster Assessment Basics and Fundamentals will be held September 22^nd, 9:30a-5:30p at the Red Cross Office in Jamestown. Volunteers supporting a local incident such as a single or multi-family fire and or national level of response to learn preparedness tasks, how to collect and communicate disaster assessment information and become familiar with how to collect support management/services delivery decisions.

Psychological First Aid will be held on October 12^th from 6p-9p at the Red Cross Office in Olean. Psychological First Aid is a requirement of all affiliated disaster volunteers; designed to help with understanding the factors that affect stress responses of clients and workers.

Disaster Services Overview and Shelter Operation will be held on October 20^th, from 9:30a-5:30p at the Red Cross Office in Olean. This course is recommended for all disaster volunteers as the first course to set a foundation; a requirement of all affiliated disaster volunteers. The course provides an overview as to what the organization structure is how functions during a disaster.

            Shelter Simulation will be held on October 21^st from 2p-5p at the Red Cross Office in Olean. This course is open for volunteers interested in working on Shelter Operation teams in their county.

             To sign up for any of these classes, please contact your local American Red Cross located in: Jamestown, NY 716-664-5115; Olean, NY 716-372-5800; or Wellsville, NY 585-593-1531. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way Agency.

Red Cross Provides Services to the Armed Forces

            One of the main services that the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York provides is service to the Armed Forces. The original service of the American Red Cross started during the Civil War as the ‘Angel of the Battlefield’ Clara Barton provided emergency care to soldiers injured during war, and after the battles would locate the families of deceased servicemen.

Now nearly 150 years later, the Red Cross is still supporting and helping our Armed Forces. These services include but not limited to providing emergency communication between the family and the serviceperson- anywhere they may be in the world, some financial assistance, casualty travel assistance, and information and referrals. The Red Cross has earned a reputation for providing objective, timely, confidential, factual, complete and verified reports on emergency situations. These reports enable service members and their commanders to make informed decisions about leave and other matters in order to prevent, prepare for and respond to a family emergency. 

The most common service that the Red Cross provides to the Armed Forces is emergency communication between the family and serviceperson. A Southwestern New York family turned to the Red Cross for help when the Roberts* family needed to contact their son about his father’s quick decline in health and quite possible death. Mrs. Roberts called the Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces helpline and was able to get a message to her son who was currently serving on a naval ship in the Pacific Ocean. She also asked if he could come home to hopefully be with his father in the last few days of his life or at least be home to attend the burial services. 

When her son was notified, a Red Cross representative and Chaplin were there to help him accept the news. Fortunately, he was granted leave, and the next day, he was on a plane headed back to New York. He made it back just one day before his father passed.

During the processes, several Red Cross workers was verifying the call with the hospital, calling the naval command, working out flight arrangements and all the while trying to provide counseling to the family during their hard time.

After all of the commotion a few weeks later, a Red Cross worker called the family to see how they are doing, if the serviceperson made it home safely and/or made it back to their station safely, and if there is any other services that the Red Cross could help them with.

Without the grants from the United Way agencies in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties, and support from other organizations, the Red Cross could not have helped provide 191 services to members of the Armed Forces, which included 110 Emergency Communications.  Other services provided were crisis counseling, family follow-up, information and referrals, locator services, and verifications from July 2011 to June 2012. In the years to come the Red Cross will continue to support our Armed Forces with help from our community members throughout Southwestern New York.

*names have been changed to adhere to confidentiality agreement.  

American Red Cross of Southwestern NY Elects Directors at Annual Meeting in Allegany, NY

The Southwestern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross conducted its Annual Meeting on June 27^th, with Chapter members from throughout the area convening at the Allegany Community Center in Allegany, NY, to receive reports on the services the Chapter has delivered over the past year.  Executive Director Bill Tucker highlighted the excellent work of the Chapter’s many volunteers.  Through their efforts, the Red Cross was able to deliver immediate disaster relief to over 290 people, complete nearly 200 activities in support of military families, collect over 13,000 units of blood, and deliver life-saving training to over 5000 residents.  Chairman Clayton Sweeney also thanked the many area residents, businesses, foundations, and United Way agencies for their tremendous financial support, without which the Red Cross could not deliver its essential services.

Three new directors were elected to the Board; Tim O’Keefe of CUTCO, Dr. Todd Palmer of St. Bonaventure University, and Dorothy Button of the Seneca Nation Department of Emergency Management.  In addition, eight board members were re-elected to a second term and two were re-elected to a third term.   The following officers were elected for the FY 2012-2013 Fiscal Year:  Clayton Sweeney, Board Chair; John Plumb, Board Vice Chair; and Dorothy Button, Secretary. 

Community Partnership Awards were given to Houghton College, St. Bonaventure University, and SUNY Fredonia. The Community Partnership Awards are in recognition of the superior support that these institutions provided to the Red Cross through community service programs, fundraising events, blood drives, and health and safety certification courses. Their tremendous dedication enabled the Red Cross to bring together volunteers and donors from throughout Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua County communities to improve the disaster preparedness of area residents, and to ensure that they receive prompt support in the wake of any emergency or disaster event.  

The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York relies upon over 400 local volunteers to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies throughout Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties.  The Southwestern New York Chapter is a United Way Agency.

Award winners pictured: Clayton Sweeney, SWNY Chapter Chair; Dr. Virginia Horvath, SUNY Fredonia; Pam Witter and Phyllis Gaerte, Houghton College; Richard Trietley, St. Bonaventure University; Bill Tucker, SWNY Chapter Executive Director 

Take a Look at the Blood Drives Near You! The Need is NOW!