Police Chief Honored During National Preparedness Month

Cleveland Chief Cited for Work During Recent Republican National Convention

He has been called a peacemaker, the host of the party, and the “RNC MVP” for the way protesters and visitors who were in Cleveland for the Republican National Convention in July were treated.  But Chief Calvin Williams of the Cleveland Division of Police gives the credit to the members of his department for helping keep the peace during the four day event.

The Greater Cleveland Chapter Board of Directors recognized Chief Williams and the Cleveland Division of Police with a Certificate of Appreciation at their quarterly meeting on Thursday, September 22, 2016.

Chief Williams agreed to receive the certificate under one condition: that the entire Cleveland Police Department be recognized as well. And he acknowledged the work of many organizations, including the Red Cross, for helping make the RNC a success.

“The Red Cross has always been a great partner of ours whenever there was something that happens, not just in Cleveland but in Northeast Ohio. You don’t ask anything in return, so we definitely appreciate it,” Chief Williams said.  “The RNC was a great, great example of partnership, again not only for Cleveland but Northeast Ohio, and it could not have been the success it was without partners like the Red Cross and others.”

The Certificate was presented to Chief Williams  by Mike Parks, CEO of the Northeast Ohio Region and Laura Hauser, Secretary of the Greater Cleveland Board of Directors.

“It seemed appropriate during National Preparedness Month to recognize this great partner of ours,” Mike Parks said as he introduced the Chief, “Not only the chief, but the Division of Police because of the great work they did.”

Mike noted how the Red Cross was ready to open shelters during the convention, thanks to the preparations made by many Red Cross volunteers.  The need for volunteers did not end with the conclusion of the convention.  There is a constant need of volunteers to fill a variety of roles at the Red Cross.  If you are interested in a volunteer position, log onto redcross.org/neo and click on the volunteer tab, or call 216-431-3328.

Red Cross Teams with Alcoa to Install 150 Alarms

Fire Safety Walk took place just ahead of National Preparedness Month

It can be hot work, especially when temperatures reach into the 90s like they have this summer. This is the kind of weather that makes you long for air conditioning and tall glasses of ice water, dripping with cool condensation.

But one dedicated team steadfastly treks through the humid air to make sure that homes will remain safe as the temperatures begin to fall.

That team? Our Operation Save-A-Life partners at Alcoa, who helped the Red Cross install 150 smoke alarms in 71 homes at the Miller Mobile park on the 93 degree day of August 25, just ahead of National Preparedness Month.

“The team from Alcoa is the easiest and best group I get to work with,” said John Gareis, Regional Disaster Training Coordinator. You can see more photos of the event on our flickr page.

During the month of September, the Red Cross urges families to develop a fire escape plan, so everyone in the household knows what to do if fire occurs.  Home fires are the most common threat people face across the country, and every family should develop a fire escape plan.

If your group would like to help install smoke alarms with the Red Cross, please call or email our volunteer services team at 216-431-3328 or NEOvolunteer@redcross.org.

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Photo Credit: Cal Pusateri/American Red Cross Volunteer

Power Outage Preparedness

That you are able to log onto this blog and read this article is a testament to the reliability of the company that supplies your electricity.  Unfortunately, stormy weather can knock out power, as it did Tuesday night for some 20,000 First Energy customers.

And as sweltering as the summer of 2016 has been, the demand for power has been great.  Sometimes, electrical equipment can be overloaded with so many air conditioners running.  That, too can cause power outages. While outages aren’t always predictable, it’s easy to be prepared and keep your loved ones safe during one.

HAVE A KIT

get-a-kitThe top items in your power outage kit should include water, a battery powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries. It is important not to use candles during a power outage because they a more likely to start a fire. Other items include:

  • Medications (7-day supply) and required medical items
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash
  • Non-cordless telephone
  • Full tank of gas

For more information on building a kit, check out our 72-hour kit blog post.

FOOD

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use perishable food from the refrigerator first, freezer items second and non-perishable food last. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours and a freezer half-full will stay cold for 24 hours.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including appliances, equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. It is important to do this because when the power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment. You can protect appliances that can’t be unplugged, like refrigerators and freezers, with a surge protector.

CAUTION: CARBON MONOXIDE KILLS                CO2

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside an enclosed area. Cooking in enclosed areas with alternate sources for electricity can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire. These tips below will help you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Always locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
  • Install carbon monoxide alarms in your to provide early warning of any accumulating carbon monoxide.
  • If you hear the carbon monoxide alarm sound, move to a fresh air outdoors or an open window or door. Call for help from that location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

For more information on what to do during a power outage please visit http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/power-outage.

Get more information on surviving during this summer’s relentless heat here.  And download the Red Cross Emergency App, to monitor more than 35 different severe weather an emergency alerts, to help keep you and your family safe this summer and throughout the year.

 

Red Cross Ready for the RNC

Workforce Deployed to Provide Services if Needed

Preparations have been made, and Red Cross workers continue to work on their readiness for the 2016 Republican National Convention, July 18-22 in Cleveland.  The  Red Cross is among several organizations with plans to provide residents and visitors a safe and enjoyable experience.

The Red Cross responds to almost 66,000 disasters in the United States every year, ranging from home fires that affect a single family, to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands, to earthquakes that impact millions. In these events, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet.

During the Republican National Convention, most hotels in Northeast Ohio are booked solid.  The Red Cross is prepared to respond to any potential need to shelter and feed any residents or visitors who may be displaced,  and has recruited additional volunteers from Northeast Ohio and surrounding regions to help fulfill its mission.

Preparations have been made to open up to three shelters within a short time frame, in the event that a large number of Northeast Ohio residents or visitors to the area are displaced due to fires or other disasters. Opening and staffing three shelters could require more than 70 trained shelter volunteers around the clock. About 100 volunteers are ready to respond should the need arise.

The Red Cross is also prepared, along with our community partners, to provide water, snacks, and comfort in areas where those humanitarian needs may be needed.

The need for Red Cross volunteers in Northeast Ohio will continue following the Republican National Convention. If you are interested in supporting our readiness to assist people in need, click here to create a Red Cross volunteer profile and begin the application process.

 

ARC Gearing Up for the RNC in Cleveland

Preparations are underway for the 2016 Republican National Convention, July 18-22 in Cleveland.  The American Red Cross is among several organizations with plans to provide residents and visitors a safe and enjoyable experience.

The Red Cross responds to approximately 66,000 disasters in the United States every year, ranging from home fires that affect a single family, to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands, to earthquakes that impact millions. In these events, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet.

During the Republican National Convention, most hotels in Northeast Ohio are expected to be booked solid.  The Red Cross is preparing to respond to any potential need to shelter and feed any residents who may be displaced from their homes,  and is recruiting volunteers to help fulfill its mission.

Preparations are underway to open up to three shelters within a short time frame, in the event that a large number of Northeast Ohio residents is displaced due to home fires or other disasters. Opening and staffing three shelters could require more than 70 trained shelter volunteers around the clock. Currently, there aren’t enough volunteers to meet that need.

If you are interested in supporting our readiness to assist people in need throughout Northeast Ohio, during the convention and beyond, click here to create a Red Cross volunteer profile and begin the application process.

There is also a “Zero to Hero” boot camp planned in June, to teach volunteers the skills necessary for sheltering, health, or mental health responses.  The boot camp will take place from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Friday, June 24 and all day Saturday, June 25th, at the headquarters of the American Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region, 3747 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland.  To register, contact Luis Rivera, Workforce Engagement Manager, at 216-431-3328, or email NEOvolunteer@redcross.org.

Preparedness Day, Tomorrow at Various Locations

In partnership with Dominion East Ohio, we are holding Preparedness Day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 2, 2016, at locations throughout the Northeast Ohio region.

Chapel Hill Mall 2014 (1)

Stop by and learn the importance of being “Red Cross Ready” in the event of a disaster and pick up a FREE first aid kit (sponsored by Dominion East Ohio)!

Volunteers from the Red Cross and Dominion will be at the following locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

2015 Summit Portage Medina Dominion Day (3)

 

 

2016 Hurricane Season Kicks Off Early

On January 17, 2016 the first hurricane of the season dissipated over the Labrador Sea.

The big question is: Did you even know there was a Hurricane raging over the Atlantic?

On January 14, Hurricane Alex became the first hurricane to form during the month of January since 1938. It originated seven days earlier as an extratropical cyclone near the Bahamas and moved north. It peaked as a Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale with winds of 85 mph. After weakening slightly, Alex made landfall on Terceira Island as a tropical storm a week later.

Luckily, this rare January hurricane did little damage.

But it does make you think about getting prepared, because you just never know when an emergency situation will creep up!

One really easy way to cover your bases when it comes to preparedness is to download the Red Cross Emergency App. Not only will the app alert you to any hurricanes in your area (based on your phone’s GPS coordinates), it can help you prepare for winter’s worst (which is definitely more pressing to northeast Ohio!)

Visit www.redcross.org/apps or search for RED CROSS in your device’s app store today.

The Fight Against Fire Fatalities Ongoing

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By Tim O’Toole
Regional Disaster Officer, Northeast Ohio

121 people lost their lives in Ohio last year due to accidental fires, according to information provided to the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Prevention Bureau.

Unfortunately, two counties within the Northeast Ohio Region top several lists.

  • Cuyahoga County in the Greater Cleveland Chapter led the state with 14 accidental fire fatalities. This is twice as high as the counties with the second highest number.
  • Jefferson County in the Lake to River Chapter led the state in per capita deaths, with 7 fatalities. Although these deaths occurred in just 3 events, it still is still an alarming number.

Fire deaths continue to impact the very young and the senior community.  Nearly half of the fire victims were over 60 years of age.

Smoke alarms were present in only 25% of the fire locations.  This number indicates only that they were present, and not whether they functioned correctly.

The takeaway is that the mission of the American Red Cross is an important one.  And one that isn’t going away.

4 people lost their lives last night (1/11/16) in Summit County.  Every Day, tragedy strikes our communities. But our Disaster Cycle Service processes of Prepare, Respond and Recover align perfectly with the problem these numbers dictate.  Our education and prevention programs can reduce the number of future fires and prepare people to respond appropriately when they do occur.  Daily, our response teams and caseworkers continue to provide support for those who do suffer the effects of hostile fires and help them recover from the impact.  And finally, Operation Save-A-Life, our Home Fire Preparedness Campaign will continue to help prevent the fatalities that too often occur as a result of those fires.

These numbers indicate not only the importance of our mission, but also the fact that we must increase our efforts to insure we impact them positively in the future.

I thank all Disaster Service volunteers and staff for their dedicated and sincere support of the mission.

I am proud to be part of it.

Tim O’Toole
Regional Disaster Officer
Northeast Ohio Region

Learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, the Red Cross effort to reduce fire fatalities in Northeast Ohio by providing fire safety education and FREE smoke alarm installations, at redcross.org/neoosal.

Read more about volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross here.

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Preparing Families for Emergencies

Most people believe that on the First Day of Christmas the appropriate gift to give is a Partridge in a Pear Tree. Well, the Red Cross believes in building Disaster Resilient Neighborhoods during the Holiday Season, as well throughout the year.

To help you select stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts designed to make individuals, families and the homes they live in as safe as possible, the Red Cross has put together the following recommendations for gifts for the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Smoke AlarmOn the First Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you install a SMOKE ALARM. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of a home; outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall, at the top of open stairways and at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen. It is important to check your Smoke Alarms every month and replace their batteries when Daylight Savings Time begins in the spring and ends in the fall.

CO2On the Second Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you install a CARBON MONOXIDE (CO2) ALARM. Carbon Monoxide Alarms should be placed in hallways throughout the home. They should also be placed in recreational vehicles and on boats.

 

Fire ExtinguishersOn the Third Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you install a FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Install A-B-C type Fire Extinguishers in the home and teach all household members how to use them.

 

Fire Escape LadderOn the Fourth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you install a FIRE ESCAPE LADDER. Homes with more than one floor should have at least one Fire Escape Ladder stored on all floors, other than ground level. Store these ladders where they are easily accessible.

 

Disaster Supplies KitOn the Fifth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you assemble a FAMILY DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT. A family will cope best by preparing for a disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Family Disaster Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won’t have time to shop and search for supplies.

Pet Supplies KitOn the Sixth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you assemble a PET SUPPLIES KIT. Pets enrich the lives of individuals and families in more ways than you can count. In turn they depend on people for their safety and well-being. Having a Pet Disaster Supplies Kit is one of the best ways to care for pets when disaster strikes.

NWSOn the Seventh Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you acquire a WEATHER RADIO. As the voice of the National Weather Service, a Weather Radio provides continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information directly from a National Weather Service Forecast Office. During severe weather routine broadcasting is interrupted and special watch and warning messages are issued.

First AidOn the Eighth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you get a FIRST AID KIT. Because the first five minutes of a medical emergency are critical, every individual and family should have First Aid Kits in their home and vehicles (including boats).

 

CPROn the Ninth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you attend FIRST AID AND CPR TRAINING. For more than a century, the Red Cross has been saving lives with Health and Safety Services education programs. A unique idea for a Christmas stocking would be a Gift Certificate for a First Aid and CPR Training course.

House Numbers aOn the Tenth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you purchase HOUSE NUMBERS. Each home should have its number posted clearly on the front door, over the doorway, or elsewhere on the front so emergency responders can easily locate it. Lives and property can be saved simply by using adequate house numbers placed where emergency workers can find them. You can purchase numbers at your local hardware store.

Flash LightOn the Eleventh Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a FLASHLIGHT. As simple as a Flashlight is, it can become a very important tool to use during and after a disaster. Every family disaster supplies kit should contain a flashlight and spare batteries.

PhoneOn the Twelfth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you create an EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PLAN. Each home should have a list of Emergency Phone Numbers posted near the phone or in the front of a phone book. 

 

For additional information on these and other safety tips visit:

http://www.redcross.org/news/article/7-fire-safety-tips-for-holiday-decorating-and-entertaining

 

Summit County Smoke Alarm Hotline Now Up and Running

Red Cross Volunteers and Barberton Firefighters Prepare Free Smoke Alarm Installations

Red Cross Volunteers and Barberton Firefighters Prepare Free Smoke Alarm Installations on October 27, 2015

The effort to reduce fatalities from home fires continues in Northeast Ohio, as Red Cross volunteers and members of the Barberton Fire Department teamed up on October 27th, going door to door to install smoke alarms in homes where they were needed.

Residents received not only free smoke alarms, but also fire safety information.  The Barberton Fire Safety Walk took place on a particularly busy day for Red Cross disaster workers and volunteers, who responded to seven home fires in Summit, Stark Cuyahoga, Jefferson and Wayne Counties.The fires chased a total of 18 people from their homes, including 4 children and an adult in Canton, and three children and an adult in Shreve.

The residents of these home fires received assistance from the Red Cross valued at more than $2,600.  Typical financial assistance for home fire victims includes money for emergency lodging, food and clothing. Since July 1st, the Red Cross has given nearly $200,000 to residents affected by home fires.

The Red Cross Home Fire Prevention Campaign is meant to reduce the number of fatalities from home fires by 25% over a five year period.  Upcoming Fire Safety Walks are planned in North Akron on November 4, and Cuyahoga Falls November 10.  Firefighters from both communities will join Red Cross volunteers to install free smoke alarms and provide fire safety information in targeted neighborhoods.

Anyone in Summit County can request a free inspection of smoke alarms in their homes. If the alarms are not in working order, or if they are more than 10 years old, they will be replaced. Residents of Summit County can call the Smoke Alarm Hotline at 330-535-2030.

In Cleveland, residents can call the Operation Save-A-Life hotline 24 hours a day at 216-361-5535 to request a free fire safety inspection and smoke alarms for their homes.  More information is available for all residents of Northeast Ohio here.