redcrosstalk

ne of the worst days in American history also brought out the very best of the American spirit. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 were a seminal moment for our nation when people from

across the country banded together and donated time, blood and money to support the victims of the attacks. Together, we responded, recovered and rebuilt. As America marked the 10th anniversary of the attacks, we remembered the events that took place and honored the brave responders alongside the victims. Ten years later, we came together again as a community and as a nation. These past ten years have given us what the attacks did not: time to be prepared. A prepared nation has every person, business, house of worship, organization and school ready to take care of themselves and their neighbors. Families should have emergency plans prepared for disasters most likely to occur where they live, have a 3-day emergency kit ready in case of a disaster and have the capability to be informed during and after a disaster. At least one member of every family/household should be trained in CPR and first aid. While we don’t know where or when, we do know that disasters will strike again. Preparedness steps taken today can save lives tomorrow.

O

A PubliciAtion of the Southern nevAdA chAPter, fAll 2011 iSSue

September is National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross wants you to be prepared for all disasters and emergencies.

Written by Jamie Goodman

1 Get a Kit. Having a 3 day kit to get you through the 72 hours following a disaster is critical. Your kit should be filled with but not-limited to water, non-perishable food, medicinal needs, personal documents, cash, and clothing. Do not forget to consider your pet’s needs while assembling your preparedness kit.

maKe a PLan. Don’t let a disaster or emergency take you by surprise. Have a plan. Know where you will go for shelter until you are

able to return home. Have a safe haven for your pets; the American Red Cross does not permit pets, other than service animals, in their

shelters. Establish an evacuation route from your dwelling to designated areas outside of your home and another outside of your neighborhood in case of a community evacuation.

2 be inFormed. Know what disasters may strike in your area such as home fires, flooding, or earthquakes. Also make sure you have means of communication between you and emergency officials during the time of a disaster. Make sure to identify how you will receive important information, whether through local radio, TV, or NOAA weather stations or channels.

3

Suggested items for your emergency preparedness kit based on an adult 3-day pack. Modify this list to cater to you and your family’s needs.

15iteMS to get you

PRePARed

Visit redCrossStore.org for emergency preparedness and first aid kits.

Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

ameriCan red CroSS

4 StePS to PrePAredneSS

Preparedness

visit redcross.org for more info.

4 taKe a CLaSS. An important part of being prepared is being able to respond in any situation. A valuable way to ensure preparedness is to take a CPR/First Aid class with your local Red Cross. The American Red Cross – Southern Nevada Chapter offers CPR/First Aid/AED classes daily Don’t wait until it is too late. Contact the Red Cross at 702-531-0237 and schedule your training today.

16 Emergency Drinking Waterpackets (2 qts)

1 Water Container (2.5 gal capacity)

2 Food Ration Packages (2,400 Calories each)

1 Pair of Work Gloves

6 Moist Towelettes

1 Personal First Aid Kit

1 Battery-Operated Radio with batteries

3 Light Sticks (12 hrs each)

1 Whistle

1 Battery-Powered Flashlight, with batteries

1 Emergency Survival Blanket

1 Rain Poncho

1 Map of surrounding area

all necessary medications

money

Red Cross out and About

in Our Community

Red Cross volunteers, Lavonne Cyprain and diane orgill participated in National Night out, a campaign to help fight crime in our communities

august 2nd

Coinciding with terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, American Red Cross staff volunteers and staff paid tribute to those who lost their lives at the 9/11 parade.

September 11th

on october 6th and 7th, Red Cross volunteers will be participating in the Veteran’s Stand down, ensuring homeless veterans are prepared for the cold winter months ahead. Contact Diane Orgill, dianeo@redcrosslasvegas.org to get invovled.

october 6th and 7th

>>>

a

b

Red Cross trained Lifeguards showcased their skills at the Lifeguard games held at the Nevada Recreation and Park Services.

July 16th a

Red Cross Volunteer, April Reppetto exhibited an emergency Response Vehicle (eRV) and joined in on the fun at tivoli Village’s “truckin’ tuesday’s” touch-A-truck event.

august 16th b

Last year over 650 registered volunteers provided over 42,000 hours of service. their work totaled over $900,000 in value. to become a Red Cross volunteer visit our website at www.redcrosslasvegas.org or contact erika taggart at (702) 791-3311.

Community disaster education presenter Caren Bedsworth hosted a Masters of disaster presentation, teaching the children at the National guard Amory the importance of being prepared!

august 10th

The American Red Cross – Southern Nevada Chapter often participates in emergency preparedness events and presentations. Here is a glance at where we have been in the past few months and what we’ll be doing in the future:

FireSafety in Southern Nevada

The Southern Nevada Chapter responds to a home fire every 30 hours. Home fires are very common and are often preventable.

October is Fire Safety month. Take this time to “fire-proof” your home and ensure your household has a pre-existing plan in the event of a fire.

The most effective way to prevent a home fire is to rid your home of fire hazards. Here are some tips on how to fire-proof your home.

Have functioning smoke alarms

Install carbon monoxide alarms

Educate your children about fires, when and how to dial 9-1-1 and how to “stop, drop and roll.”

If a fire does occur in your home, it is vital that you and your family have a solid fire escape plan and know how to get out of the home quickly and safely. Make sure every family member knows two escape routes from every room of the house. Test the temperature of a door using only the back of your hand; if closed doors or handles are warm, do not open; instead find another, safe, exit out of the room/house. Crawl under low smoke. If smoke or flames block your exit, stay in the room with doors closed, place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Once outside of the danger zone, have an accessible location to meet in safety. Practicing the fire escape route is a great way to make sure everyone is prepared in the incident of a fire.

{ }

Visit redcrosslasvegas.org for a downloadable fire-safety fact sheet.

Part of being prepared is ensuring your pet’s comfort and safety in the event of an emergency. There are several key steps you can take for your pet before disaster strikes:

Know which hotels outside your immediate area will accept you and your pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations in an impending disaster.Have a list of friends, relatives, animal boarding facilities and veterinarians who are willing to care for your pets in an emergency. Prepare a portable pet-emergency kit to include leashes, food, water, toys, medical records, and animal carriers.Make sure all pets are wearing secure collars with up-to-date identification.

To ensure the well-being of those who are staying in a Red Cross shelter, we only allow service animals to remain with their owners. However, in preparation of a disaster the Red Cross has partnered with local agencies to provide mobilized pet-shelter.

We understand the significant role pets play in the lives of their owners and encourage families and individuals to include pets in their disaster plans.

Petwellness

c

c

Volunteer Statistics

Photo by Mark Johnson

Pictures A-C by Joshua Hawkins/American Red Cross

Upcoming events

november 10, 2011: Golf tournament• Sunrise Vista Golf Course – Nellis Air Force Base • Shotgun start @ 8:00am• Individual: $75 • Foursome: $300 • Sponsorships available

he American Red Cross is proud to recognize the heroes in our community who have performed

extraordinary acts to help others in need. In recognition of these heroic acts, the American Red Cross will host a breakfast reception on Thursday, October 20, at 7:30am at Paris Las Vegas Hotel. The courage and dedication of these heroes is noble and they deserve to be honored. The public is welcome to attend this breakfast for our community heroes. “Name-Your-Price” tickets are available for purchase thru our website or at the door. If you would like to be a sponsor and attend this

he American Red Cross – Southern Nevada Chapter is dedicated to assisting military members and their

families. Aside from relaying emergency messages every eleven hours for service members and their families, here is what the Southern Nevada chapter has done this year!

At our all-volunteer office on Nellis Air Force Base, Red Cross volunteers have spent many days knitting beanies to service members who are deployed and blankets for the newborns.

This month we provided financial assistance to a service member and his family when his last pay check did not arrive. Without Red Cross assistance his family would not have

adult Good Samaritan

animal rescue

aquatics

Community impact

Community Service

emergency dispatch

Fire Fighter

Law enforcement

medical Professional

military

youth Good Samaritan

T

t

year’s event we have many sponsorship opportunities accommodating a range of budgets. Sponsorship opportunities range from $1,000, which includes a table of ten guests, up to a $10,000 sponsorship, which include two tables of ten guests, company recognition at the event and much more. For additional information contact Development Manager, Brooke Flake at (702) 369-3674 or send an email to heroes@redcrosslasvegas.org.

CateGorieS

For the

2011 Everyday Heroes Awards

armed ForCeS

everyday HeroesHonoring local ordinary people performing extrodinary acts.

Social media

volunteerblogSubscribe to our blog--news for and about our amazing Southern Nevada volunteers. Be the first to know about volunteer events, our office staff notes, and even free tickets to local events!redCroSSLaSVeGaS.WordPreSS.Com

facebookYou like us! You really like us! No, really, you should “like” us on Facebook. We post pictures from past events, award presentations, current house/apartment fires we respond to--just to name a few.“LiKe” uS on FaCebooK.Com

hearustweetWant things concise? In 140 characters or less? You got it! Follow us on Twitter to get the latest news. #RedCrossLovetWitter.Com/SnVredCroSS

* Purchase your tickets at “Name-your-Price” today!

Visit redcrosslasvegas.org or call 702-791-3311.

october 20, 2011: everyday heroes awards breakfast reception • Paris Las Vegas Hotel• 7:30am• Tickets being sold at “name-your-own price”• Sponsorships available

Visit redcrosslasvegas.org or call Brooke Flake at 702-369-3674.

Written by Jamie Goodman

service to

had a place to call “home.”

the Southern Nevada Chapter has committed to providing volunteers for the four new Veteran Administration Medical Center primary care clinics and new hospital.

Subscribe to our volunteer blog for more information on how you can become involved and make a difference!

Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

VISIT OuR WeBSITe

stay connected!

Joshua Hawkins/American Red Cross

tHANK you to ouR SPoNSoRS

1771 E. Flamingo Rd Ste 206-BLas Vegas, NV 89119

telephone: (702) 791-3311fax: (702) 791-3372website: www.redcrosslasvegas.orgemail: info@redcrosslasvegas.org

“LIKE” THE SOUTHERN NEVADA CHAPTER ON FACEBOOK

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SNVredcross

Non-Profit Org

US Postage Paid

Las Vegas, NV

Permit #55

PHANTOM RED CROSS NEWSLETTER AD - 5”X3”

Newsletter Printing donated by:

thank you to Phantom of the opera for providing tickets for the September 10th performance, and thanks to allwho purchased tickets. We raised over $10,000! All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross, Southern Nevada Chapter.

Phantom has extended a special offer to supporters of the Red Cross. To take advantage, see the special offer to the right.