SEM Chapter responds to fires on windy night
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter has been busy since last night assisting Detroiters with food, clothing and shelter after downed electrical lines and winds caused fires all over the city.
So far, the SEM Chapter Emergency Services Department has assisted 40 people affected by last night's fires with food and clothing and at nine families were provided with overnight lodging.
Calls from area residents who need help have been received today and more calls are expected throughout the afternoon.
If you would like to donate to your local Red Cross, please call 313-833-2664 or online by clicking here and donating to your local chapter.
Hurricane Earl Heads for Mainland - Red Cross Makes Preparations
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 — The American Red Cross is helping people already affected by Hurricane Earl in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and preparing for any landfall the huge storm may make along the eastern coastline of the United States. Up and down the coast from Georgia to Maine, the Red Cross has trained disaster workers, more than 150 mobile response vehicles and four warehouses stocked with relief supplies on alert.
donate pageEarl has strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of 135 mph extending outward as far as 70 miles from the center of the storm. The National Hurricane Center has urged people from the Carolinas to New England to closely monitor the storm as it makes its way toward the United States. The storm, approximately 500 miles wide, could cause flooding and high winds to areas inland as well as along the coastline. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Fiona has also formed in the Atlantic, with sustained winds of 40 mph.
"We are making preparations for Earl's landfall, but we urge everyone who may be in the path of the storm to also get prepared," said Joe Becker, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. "Early predictions indicate the storm will affect those who are miles inland. Being ready is your best protection against a storm like this."
The Red Cross sheltered more than 50 people overnight on the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, after winds and torrential rains caused flooding and damage to area homes. In Puerto Rico, the Red Cross assisted its government partners by providing help to stranded airport travelers. A seven-member Red Cross disaster-relief team is in the area assisting with logistics, feeding, mass care and operations. Red Cross warehouses on the islands are stocked with additional disaster relief supplies that are ready to be dispatched where needed.
The island of Antigua was heavily affected by the storm and more than 300 people took refuge in shelters, where the Red Cross provided first aid and food. The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society, Saint Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society, and Overseas Branches of the Netherlands, British and French Red Cross Societies worked with government authorities to set up shelters for evacuees and provided first aid and food with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Residents along the East Coast should be vigilant and watch for the effects of Earl, even if you think you are out of harms way. The Red Cross has a list of important steps you can take to get your household ready should Hurricane Earl threaten your community. If a hurricane watch is posted for your area, it means hurricane conditions are a threat within the next 48 hours. Be ready to act if a warning is issued. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete your storm preparations and leave the area if authorities tell you to go. Updated shelter location information is readily available.
"The most important thing people can do is prepare now in case their area ends up in the path of this storm," Becker said. "Don't wait until the last minute. Safety is the top priority."
The strong Atlantic storms have also caused powerful rip currents all along the East Coast. With the Labor Day holiday weekend only a few days away, the Red Cross advises anyone visiting eastern shore points to swim only on lifeguard-protected beaches, within the designated swimming areas.
If caught in a rip current, remember the following:
* Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
* Never fight against the current.
* Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle--away from the current--towards shore.
* If unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
* If unable to reach shore, yell for help and draw attention to yourself.
* Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.
If you would like to help, there are a variety of ways that you can: You can click, text or call to make a financial donation to the Red Cross to help people affected by this storm and other disasters. Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The storm may also impact blood collections in the affected areas. To find out how you can be a blood donor, visit www.redcrossblood.org
Help people affected by disasters like Hurricane Earl by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.org.
Read MoreThe American Red Cross Increases Aid to Flood-Ravaged Pakistan
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, August 17, 2010 — As flood waters threaten to engulf new communities in the south of Pakistan, the American Red Cross is increasing its support to $1 million to help families affected by the worst flooding in that country in more than 80 years.
A watch maker in Nowshera, Pakistan returns to find his home and shop destroyed by flood waters. Olav A. Saltbones/Norwegian Red Cross"The extent of the devastation is massive, with the Pakistan government now estimating 20 million people are significantly affected by the floods," says David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services for the American Red Cross. "With food supplies and crops destroyed, millions of people will need food aid, water and emergency relief for months to come."
Thousands of Pakistan Red Crescent volunteers continue to distribute relief items, reaching approximately 350,000 people since the flooding started. And all of their available mobile emergency units are out in flood-affected communities and have now provided medical care to more than 30,000 people across the country.
The global Red Cross and Red Crescent network estimates that, in the near term, at least 6 million people will need emergency humanitarian assistance, in the form of safe water, tents and shelter materials, and medical help.
According to the United Nations, waterborne diseases continue to pose a risk to millions of people, especially children, living in the flood-affected areas. Contaminated water and the lack of medication are causing some of the main flood-related illnesses, such as respiratory tract infections and diarrhea, to be potentially deadly. Snake bites have also become a major medical issue.
In the northwest of the country, where the flash floods first struck, the waters have receded in many places and the devastation resembles an earthquake more than a flood, with bridges collapsed and houses destroyed. In the south, much of the affected area is still underwater, but hundreds of villages and countless thousands of acres of standing crops are still submerged, and the waters may not recede fully for more than a year.
Until now the American Red Cross had already pledged $250,000 for Pakistan relief – $150,000 worth of tarps, blankets and kitchen items as well as $100,000 in immediate financial support.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Ride for Red Charity Event to Benefit American Red Cross
The local American Red Cross is calling all motorcyclists to go “cruisin’ for a cause” on Sunday, August 8, and take part in a scenic tour of Oakland County’s finest roads. The Southeastern Michigan Chapter’s Ride for Red will benefit the organization’s local core services, which includes, disaster relief, service to the armed forces and health and safety training. All funds raised will be used locally.
The Ride for Red will leave from ABC Harley-Davidson in Waterford at 11 a.m. and ride to Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. The next stop is the Lakeville Inn, in Leonard where riders will receive a sheriff’s lead escort from the Lakeville Inn to Rochester. The ride will commence at Gus O’Connor’s in Downtown Rochester.
Even better, bikers will be treated to a complimentary ox roast at Gus O’Connor’s after the ride, complete with live entertainment and prizes. Gus O’Connor’s and ABC Harley-Davidson are the official organizers of Ride for Red.
Bikers can register online at http://americanredcross.org/ride-for-red or at 10 a.m. at ABC Harley Davidson in Waterford on the day of the ride. If you have any questions, or to register by phone, call 313-833-2632.
The event is open to all motorcycle riders and the general public. The cost is $20 per rider and $35 with a passenger. Non-bikers can also come out to support the local Red Cross and enjoy a great Ox Roast dinner for only $12.95 per person
This event is scheduled to happen rain or shine.
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Contact: Allison Koenigbauer
Office: 313-833-2649
Cell: 248-302-2930
Read MoreRed Cross Presentations on AEDs in Workplace are Free in September
(DETROIT) - In celebration of September as National Preparedness Month, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter is offering a free 45-minute Automated External Defibrillator (AED) presentation to the first 50 organizations throughout the month of September to request the presentation. The presentation is intended for those organizations that don't yet have an AED, or for those who already own one but who have not recently been trained in its use.
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., claiming more than 200,000 lives each year. When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, early defibrillation is vital. Research shows that for every minute that passes before the victim is defibrillated, their chance of survival goes down by 10 percent.
"Many people don’t realize how easy it is to use an Automated External Defibrillator, and how important it is to have one nearby in case of sudden cardiac arrest,” said Lynne Osborne, Manager of Workplace Programs for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter.
To better prepare workplaces for these medical emergencies, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter is offering each organization one free 45-minute AED session for any size group during the day or evening, seven days a week, at any location in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties. The presentation, which normally costs $150 (or is free for those who purchase AEDs from the Red Cross), will be free for the first 50 organizations who schedule in September.
During the session, an experienced Red Cross AED professional will:
o Explain sudden cardiac arrest and the “Cardiac Chain of Survival.”
o Teach when and how to use an AED.
o Give a demonstration of a live AED.
o Discuss the precautions and safety features within an AED.
o Review the Michigan Good Samaritan Laws, and liability issues or concerns.
o Explain specific maintenance including when and how to change pads/batteries.
o Answer questions and dispel lingering fears about AEDs.
The Southeastern Michigan Chapter can tailor the orientations to specific AEDs from the following manufacturers: Cardiac Science, Medtronic/Physio-Control, Philips Medical and Zoll Medical.
For more information or to request a program, contact Lynne Osborne at 313-576-4106 or osbornely@usa.redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in the tri-county area: relief to disaster victims, support to military personnel (both active and veteran) and their families, and the knowledge and skills to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. As part of the international Red Cross network, we are dedicated to protecting human life and dignity locally, nationally and worldwide.
To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org
Read MoreSevere Weather An Issue for Most of Country
Monday, July 26, 2010 — American Red Cross workers were deployed and chapters placed on standby over the weekend, as severe weather made a path across the country.
In the Washington, D.C. - metro area which includes northern Virginia and Maryland, severe storms caused power outages for more than 300,000 residents.
A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least one inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 mph. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding and high winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages. It’s important to know the difference between a thunderstorm watch and a warning.
- Severe Thunderstorm Watch — Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning — Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property.
Get an American Red Cross Solarlink Eton Emergency Radio. Shop Redcrossstore.org for all your preparedness needs.
In Iowa, heavy rain conditions resulted in flooding and dam failure that affected residents in the counties of Jones, Buchanan and Delaware.
Over the weekend, Illinois experienced heavy rainfall which caused flash flooding that closed roads, affected homes, prompted evacuations and left thousands of residents without power in the northern part of the state.
Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturate the ground. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area. Know the difference between a flood/flash flood watch and warning.
- Flood/Flash Flood Watch — Flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area.
- Flood/Flash Flood Warning — Flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
- Full details about the steps you can take to stay safe are available on the Red Cross web site
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Take Precautions during Extreme Heat
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter urges area residents to take precautions during the extreme heat this week to avoid heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.
Heat-related emergencies include heat exhaustion, which is an indicator that the body’s cooling system is becoming overwhelmed. Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin; headaches, nausea and/or dizziness; weakness and exhaustion; and heavy sweating.
Heat stroke is life threatening, and occurs when the body’s systems are overwhelmed by heat and stops functioning. Signs of heat stroke include changes in levels of consciousness, vomiting, and red, hot, dry (or moist) skin.
Seniors, young children, and those who are ill or overweight are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Never leave these persons, or pets, inside an automobile during extreme heat.
Listen to weather reports and note the heat index, which refers to how hot it really feels when the humidity is factored into the air temperature.
Take these other steps to avoid heat-related illnesses:
o Apply cool, wet cloths to the body.
o Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
o Drink plenty of fluids; avoid alcohol and caffeine, because they dehydrate the body.
o Postpone outdoor related games and activities.
o If working outside, take frequent breaks and use a buddy system.
o Stay in the shade as much as possible.
If you do not have air conditioning, choose places where you can go for relief from the heat, such as libraries, theaters, malls, pools and beaches - especially during the warmest part of the day.
The City of Detroit has opened cooling centers for the summer, including ten Detroit Public Libraries, the Roberto Clemente Center, the Farwell Recreation Center, and three outdoor pools, including the Belle Isle Beach-Water Slide. For more information, contact the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion at 313-876-4786.
Oakland County offers two water parks: Red Oaks and Waterford Oaks, several county parks with water-related activities, and municipal beaches to cool off. For more information, go towww.oakgov.com.
Macomb County offers Metro Beach Metropark and Stony Creek Metropark, as well as municipal swimming pools. For more information: www.macombcountymi.gov.
Besides the Detroit facilities, Wayne County offers The Family Aquatic Center water park. Go to www.waynecounty.com for more information.
If heat-related emergencies occur, take the following precautions:
o Move the person to a cool place.
o Loosen tight and perspiration-soaked clothing.
o Apply cool, wet towels to the skin.
o Fan the person.
o If conscious, give the person small amounts of cool water to drink.
If the person starts to lose consciousness, refuses water or vomits:
o Send someone to call 9-1-1.
o Place the person on his or her side.
o Continue to cool the person using ice or cold packs.
o Continue to check for signs of life (breathing and movement).
Contact Andrea Tomaszewski at 248-224-5606
Read MoreRed Cross Responds to Help those Affected by Tornadoes
The American Red Cross, St. Clair County Chapter is providing meals to first responders at the Fort Trodd Family Campground, where crews are cleaning up damage from the reported twister that came through last night at 7 p.m. Most campers reportedly left the area in their other vehicles after the storm, while a few have been coming back to assess the damage to their RV’s.
Meanwhile, the Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is responding to at least one family in southeast Wayne County whose roof was blown off in the storms that struck the New Boston area Sunday afternoon. The Red Cross is providing bottled water and assistance for food to the one family, and is attempting to contact the other families affected by the two tornadoes that struck there. The chapter has been in contact with the local public safety officials there since Sunday.
For tornado safety tips, go to www.semredcross.org.
For those needing emergency aid from the Red Cross, the 24-hour phone number is 800-774-6066.
Contact: Andrea Tomaszewski 248-224-5606
Denise Ilitch Will Head Local Red Cross Chapter’s Board of Directors
DETROIT, Mich. — Today the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross announced that long-time Detroit businesswoman Denise Ilitch was named as incoming chairperson of its board of directors. The appointment was officially announced last Wednesday evening as part of its annual meeting, which was simultaneously broadcasted via the chapter’s Facebook page.
Ilitch’s appointment highlighted the slate of board members and officers elected during the annual meeting. Each newly elected board member will serve a three-year term and newly elected officers will serve a one-year term beginning July 1, 2010.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such an esteemed group of leaders joining our already dynamic board,” said Jim Laverty, Chapter Services CEO. “Our entire team is eager to begin working with Denise to enhance our humanitarian service efforts across southeast Michigan.”
Other elected officers for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter’s board of directors include:
Barbara W. Rossmann, Vice Chair
Stanley Sleight, CPA, Vice Chair
Raymond J. Houthuysen, Secretary
Frances E. Twiddy, CFP, Finance Committee Chair/Treasurer
Appointments to the Southeastern Michigan Chapter Board of Directors include:
Denise Ilitch (newly elected)
Barbara Rossmann
Stanley D. Sleight, CPA
Raymond J. Houthuysen
James E. Bayson, CPA
Outgoing board chairperson John W. Hebert, CPA, who will remain on the board, was praised for his hands-on contributions to the Red Cross chapter, including his help in coordinating the Red Cross Runners, of which he is an active member.
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Contact Andrea Tomaszewski
313-350-1434
Swimming and Summer: Safety Go Hand in Hand
Monday, June 21, 2010 — Summer has officially begun, and with it comes visions of enjoying a day at the pool—swimming, catching some rays or just relaxing. The American Red Cross has some things you can do to stay safe while enjoying the water.
Learn to Swim
The best way to safely enjoy the water is to learn how to swim. The Red Cross swimming and water safety program is set up to teach everyone—children to adults—how to swim.
Basic water safety rules are also part of the course. You will learn how to tell if a swimmer is in distress or is drowning and how and when to call for emergency help. You will also learn how to help someone in trouble in the water while keeping safe yourself.
Click here for information on SEM Red Cross Aquatics
Swimming Pool Safety
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 300 children under the age of five drown every year in home and public pools and spas. Whether you’re enjoying a recreational swim or playing water sports, you need to know how to be safe in, on and around the water.
You should never leave children unattended near the water, not even for a moment. Practice reach supervision—being within an arm’s length when the child is near the water. Even older children need supervision and should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices when they’re in or around the water.
Make sure the proper lifesaving gear is handy, such as ring buoys, life jackets, rope, a pole or another object that can be used if someone is in trouble in the water. A first aid kit, cordless phone and emergency contact information should also be kept near the pool.
The American Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF) have developed an online safety course for pool and hot tub owners. Home Pool Essentials helps you understand the risks of pool ownership, teaching you how to maintain a safer and cleaner pool, what safety equipment is appropriate, how to prevent pool and hot tub entrapment hazards, and how to respond to an emergency.
So, whether it’s perfecting your breast stroke or just playing with the kids, follow these steps to be safe around the pool this summer. If you want to learn more, visit the water safety section of redcross.org.
A safer home pool begins here!
Register Now for Home Pool Essentials!
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.