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Red Cross Calls Attention to Neglected Crises
2006 World Disasters Report released
Wellsville, NY – In 2005, the world responded
more generously to people’s humanitarian needs than at any time in
recent history. Emergency aid towards disaster response undoubtedly
outstripped any other year on record. Yet, there were several
disasters worldwide, which slipped away – unnoticed and disregarded.
The focus of this year’s World Disasters Report,
issued by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (Federation), is neglected crises. The report, in its 14th
year of publication, looks at communities which languish in the
shadows of disaster response – overlooked by aid organizations,
media, donors and even their own governments. The 2006 World
Disasters Report challenges the assumption that most of the world’s
‘forgotten/neglected’ crises are conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa.
Instead, it analyzes the impact of neglected natural, technological
and health-related disasters. The report digs beneath the surface to
identify the factors, issues and solutions which, when neglected,
push people into disaster. Hard-hitting field reporting is combined
with analysis of aid flows and donor preferences.
The report uses examples of food insecurity in
Africa, maternal mortality in South Asia, the onslaught of repeated
crises in the Americas, irregular migration to Europe and gender
inequities in disasters worldwide to reveal the lives of those
living in the shadows. The report shows how the right responses now
can help prevent chronic crises from flaring into humanitarian
emergencies.
The American Red Cross, and its 775 chapters
throughout the US, respond to domestic and international crisis of
all scales. The focus of American Red Cross work internationally is
on global health, disaster preparedness and response, restoring
family links and the dissemination of the International Humanitarian
Law.
Many disasters in the U.S. also go unnoticed.
More than 70,000 less-publicized disasters occurred across the U.S.
last year. Whether they were regional floods, tornadoes or wildfires
that swept through communities, winter storms or house fires—they
can, and did, strike at once and without notice. While not as large
in scale as the headline-gripping tragedies, they destabilized
families and communities and turned people’s lives upside down.
Every day, American Red Cross employees and volunteers respond to
crisis and disaster.
Locally, the Allegany County Chapter of the
American Red Cross responded to 23 disasters last fiscal year
relating to house fires. Emergency aid such as food, water,
emergency shelter and other critical basic needs were met for 79 of
persons affected by unexpected tragedy.
The American Red Cross helps people prevent,
prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million
volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000
disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S.
service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost
4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest
supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The
American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red
Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The
Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of
time, money, and blood to do its work.
Editorial Note: Although the report
is commissioned by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies, and supported by additional organizations, it
must be stressed that the writers are independent and are entitled
to express their own views. The opinions expressed in this
publication do not necessarily represent the official policy of the
Federation or of individual National Societies. The report aims to
provide a critical analysis relating to the use of information in
disasters and does not seek to promote the work of the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement above other aid agency efforts.
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ARCHIVES
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Fire Prevention Month
What are the most valuable items in your house?
Money, jewelry, scrapbooks, financial documents, family heirlooms?
If you think logically and rationally, you will realize that
material possessions are worthless when measured against your life
and the lives of your family members. It follows naturally that in
case of a fire, your only priority is to ensure that you and your
family escape as quickly and as safely as possible, foregoing any
attempt to gather or save "valuables." Fires can kill in a matter of
seconds or minutes, and nothing you own is worth that risk.
Approximately 4,000 Americans die and 25,000 are injured each year
in fires, with annual property losses of $8-9 billion. As already
noted, fires leave little margin for error. Heat, smoke, and
poisonous gases generated by fires can incapacitate and kill
quickly, and are often more dangerous than flames. Most fire deaths,
about 75%, are caused by asphyxiation, not burns. It is a fatal
fallacy that in a fire you can hold your breath long enough to
locate and remove items from your house. Any such attempt could cost
you your life.
October is Fire Prevention Month, a good time to assess your home’s
risk of fire and your family’s state of preparedness. Your local
fire department and American Red Cross chapter are your best sources
for current information on fire safety, home inspection, and family
disaster planning. A family disaster plan is perhaps the most
important part of disaster preparedness, and should include fire
safety as a fundamental component. Your plan should be a team
effort, including each family member, and should be updated as
necessary if your home circumstances change.
You should review and practice your plan at least twice a year. Home
fire drills are critical to improving escape time in the event of a
real fire. Your plan should include such things as designating
meeting places outside the home, plotting at least two escape routes
from each room, making sure windows are not sealed shut, practicing
"low-crawling" through smoke, feeling doors for heat before opening,
and installing and using escape ladders on upper floors. Make sure
everyone understands the "Once Out-Stay Out" rule. After escaping,
no one should reenter the house for any reason. Once outside, call
the fire department or 9-1-1 from a cell phone or a neighbor’s
phone. Additionally, as many family members as possible should be
trained in first aid and CPR. Check with your Red Cross chapter for
information on available classes.
Every level of your home should have properly working smoke alarms,
which can decrease by half your chance of dying in a house fire.
Test and clean your smoke alarms every month, replace batteries as
necessary or at least once a year, and replace the alarms at least
every ten years to ensure reliability. Install and maintain ABC fire
extinguishers, and train family members in their use. Emphasize to
your family that a fire extinguisher should be considered only for a
small fire that is not out of control. Any substantial blaze demands
immediate evacuation.
Now is the time to conduct a Home Hazard Hunt to spot any dangerous
conditions that could cause a fire. These could include improperly
stored flammable liquids; accumulated trash, papers, and oily rags;
frayed or inadequate electrical wiring; overloaded electrical
outlets and extension cords; and unsecured candles, matches, and
lighters in households with children. Inspect and clean your heating
systems every year, or better yet, have an expert do it. If anyone
in the household smokes, common sense dictates that proper safety
procedures be followed: no smoking in bed or when drowsy or
medicated.
Every year the Red Cross responds with disaster aid to 63,000 house
fires nationwide. Many of these fires could be prevented or
alleviated if householders took some time to be aware, plan, and
prepare. Be aware of the potential for fire, plan with your family
what to do if fire breaks out, and prepare your house for fire
safety. October is a good time to start, but the Red Cross
encourages you to make every month Fire Prevention Month. More
information on fire safety is available from your local fire
department and at the Allegany County Chapter of the American Red
Cross, located at 112 North Main Street, Wellsville. Stop in to see
us or give us a call at 585-593-1531.
Submitted by: Art Couchman
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Blood donors urged to give before Memorial Day
Red Cross reports critical shortage of type O
- Negative
May 26, 2006 -- The Allegany County Chapter of
the American Red Cross blood Services, New York-Penn Region are
urging all eligible current and new donors to give blood and help
save lives this Memorial Day. A special Memorial Blood Drive in
honor of Marine Corporal Jason L. Dunham is scheduled for Saturday
from 9 a.m. to 3 pm. at the Scio Community Center on the Vandermark
Road in Scio.
The Red Cross reports a critical shortage of blood type O-Negative,
the universal bloody type, of which a strong supply is needed to
meet emergency demand.
There is also a need for donors with blood type A-Negative. Donors
are needed to strengthen the blood supply as the summer season
unofficially begins. Every summer, nationwide blood donations
decline at a rate of 10 percent 15 percent, due to donor vacations
and school being out of session.
The Red Cross is urging the public to give blood to ensure a healthy
blood supply.
"As we head into summer it is imperative that donors make -- and
keep -- appointments to give blood so that we can make sure
hospitals have the blood supply they need for patients," said Kay
Schwartz, chief executive officer, American red Cross Blood
Services, New York-Penn Region. "We're asking for new blood donors
this summer. As the need for blood continues to increase, so must
our ranks of dedicated blood onors."
All current eligible and new donors are strongly urged to call the
Allegany County Chapter at 585-593-1531 to schedule an appointment.
Blood donors must be at least 17-years-old, weight at least 110
pounds, and be in general good health. in New York State,
16-year-olds may donate blood provided they bring an original signed
New York State Informed Parental Consent for a 16-Year-Old to Donate
Whole Blood to the blood drive. The consent form can be found at
www.DonateBloodNow.org/16 or call the Allegany County Chapter.
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Red Cross, community saves lives together
America is a special place, where someone you may not know will give
you their blood, save you from drowning or provide you with shelter.
In 1943, President Roosevelt recognized the American Red Cross as a
true reflection of that humanitarian, volunteer spirit and
proclaimed March as Red Cross Month, a tradition that has been
honored by every president since. The Allegany County Chapter of the
American Red Cross has dedicated this month to recognizing some of
the countless people who make the lifesaving work of the Red Cross
possible in Allegany County.
Although hurricanes and tsunamis make the headlines, the day-to-day
work of the red Cross is centered on communities like our and one by
volunteers.
This year, many of our neighbors volunteered thousands of hours
through the red Cross to help disaster victims cope, assist in blood
drives, teach health and safety courses, and help in the office.
Through the American Red Cross, there is a place families can turn
to for food, shelter and comfort, when fires and other emergencies
strike.
None of this would be possible without the generous help of our
donors and supporters.
As chairman of our local Red Cross, I believe we can take a great
pride in what we've done together.
Thanks to your support of the Red Cross, there was a place where our
neighbors could go to learn first aid and CPR, and even how to save
lives with automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).
This year, the Red Cross was also the place where families separated
by military service were able to stay connected and exchange
messages about family emergencies.
And our neighbors chose their Red Cross as the place to give blood,
the gift of life.
Much has changed since that first Red cross Month in 1943. But one
thing has not. Allegany County is still a place where neighbors help
neighbors, and your support of our Red cross is a true reflection of
that spirit.
Together, we can save a life.
Jerome Hart, Chairman of Allegany County Chapter American Red Cross
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Red Cross of Allegany County
WELLSVILLE (June 2, 2006) -- This year, the
Allegany County Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to over
20 home fires and offered emergency assistance to almost 100
individuals
Madeleine Gasdik, executive director of the Allegany county Chapter,
said that in the county home fires are the most common disaster.
With heating costs rising, a Red Cross poll found that 4 in 10
families(42 percent) say they are now using alternatives such as a
space heater, fireplace or wood/coal stove to stay warm. The figure
is even higher, 49 percent, among families with children under 18.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that children are
twice as likely as adults to die in a home fire.
Alternative heating sources are involved in 74 percent of
fire-related deaths, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, yet
only 27 percent of those surveyed identified them as leading causes
of home fires. In fact, only 10 percent of those who use fireplaces
and 17 percent of those who use space heaters realize that both are
leading causes of home fires.
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Red Cross to recognize volunteers at meeting
Event is June 15
WELLSVILLE (June 7, 2006)-- The Allegany County Chapter of the
American Red Cross will hold its Volunteer Recognition and annual
meeting on Thursday, June 15, at the American House and Hotel in
Angelica. The public is invited to attend. Elizabeth Shook, Allegany
County Chapter Coordinator of Disaster Volunteers, will speak on her
experiences in Louisiana and Texas in response to Hurricane Katrina.
Volunteers will be recognized for various areas of service including
Health & Safety, Disaster, and Blood. A potential slate of new board
members will also be presented and voted on.
Volunteers receiving service recognition awards will include Jerome
Hart, Chapter Chair Award, Alison Dickinson for Meritorious
Leadership, Elizabeth Shook for Exceptional Volunteer Service, and
Barbara Gordon and William Dickerson for Spirit of Excellence Award.
Also receiving awards are this year's Sixers, individuals in our
community who donate blood six times or more last year, our Health
and Safety Instructors who have been volunteering for 5, 10, 15, 25,
and 35 years, and people have have donated blood 40 times or more in
their lifetime.
The meeting will begin with cocktails at 5 p.m. and a buffet dinner
at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $18 (or you can add a $2 donation for an even $20) and
reservations can be made by calling the Chapter Office at (585)
593-1531.
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Red Cross meets, honors its members
Guest speaks about Hurricane Katrina
By Paul A. Jannace (Wellsville Daily Reporter)
ANGELICA (June 16, 2006) -- For one night, the motto read "Together,
we can save a life and satisfy your appetite."
The American Red Cross Allegany County Chapter hosted its annual
meeting Thursday at the American House and Hotel in Angelica.
The meeting included a cocktail hour, buffet dinner and the regular
board meeting.
Many awards were given out, new board members were elected and a
guest speaker talked about Hurricane Katrina relief.
Other business at the meeting included approving the 2006 - 07
budget.
The newest board members are Rebecca Berardi, of Wellsville, and
Susan Myers, of Friendship.
Those who earned re-election included Ken Bates, of Houghton, Neil
Benedict, of Wellsville, Judy Mong, of Scio, and Dan Russo, of
Wellsville.
The board also elected its new officers. Robert Sobeck, of
Wellsville, is the new chairman, and Richard Wilhelm, of Friendship
is the new Vice Chairman.
Jerome Hart, the outgoing chairman, officially introduced Sobeck as
the new chairman as one of his final acts.
"God bless and good luck," Hart told Sobeck.
The other officers elected were Russ; who is the new treasurer, Mong
is the new assistant treasurer and Nick Abraham, of Cuba, is the new
secretary.
Following the meeting, Elizabeth Shook gave a presentation about
disaster relief. Shook worked several months of disaster relief for
Hurricane Katrina last year.
"It was more than just Louisiana," Shook said. "It stretched all
across the Gulf."
Shook said three million people, or the population of Chicago, were
impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
"It was very, very hard to get our minds around just how big this
disaster really was," Shook said. "thinking about the number of
people involved is another challenge."
Shook talked about the role of the American red Cross in disaster
relief and how people can be better prepared in the event of a
disaster like a hurricane.
"Red Cross is there no matter what," Shook said. "Once the emergency
phase is over, we don't abandon people."
Shook stressed that although New Orleans was impacted more than any
other area, it was certainly not the only city that suffered damage.
"These storms did not stop at the coast," Shook said. "This storm
went inland a long way."
Shook said there was wind damage as far north as Tennessee and wiped
out homes as far away as two miles from the coastline.
According to Shook, 34 million meals and 30 million snacks were
served for Katrina relief, which is four times as many served during
the entire 2004 hurricane season.
For Hurricane Katrina and Wilma relief, the American Red Cross spend
$1.45 billion, about 20 times as much spent in 2004.
"It's a good thing Americans are generous," Shook said. "Without the
money they donated, we would not have made it."
Shook concluded by talking about the importance of being prepared,
no matter where you live.
"The people in New Orleans, for some reason, didn't quite think it
could happen," Shook said. "What I want to get across to everybody
in our community is that it always make a difference to be
prepared."
Madeleine Gasdik, executive director of the American Red Cross
Allegany County Chapter, thanked Shook for her presentation and
accentuated her message.
"Beth had a lot of great topics and great points," Gasdik said. "We
could have an ice storm that could immobilize us for a week to 10
days and we need to be prepared."
After Shook's presentation, awards were given out, recognizing
individuals for many years of service to the American Red Cross.
Alison Dickinson received the Meritorious Volunteer Leadership award
and Shook earned an Exceptional Volunteer Service award.
Barbara Gordon and Willam Dickerson were recognized with the Spirit
of Excellence Award, while hart received the Chapter Chair Award.
Health and Safety Awards were also given out to individuals who have
spent years teaching others in lifesaving courses.
Fran Houseman received an award for 30 years of service and Mona
Carbone, Nancy Dudley and Kathy Wolfer earned one for 15 years.
Bryan Mastin, Durene Monz, Kathy Morris and Allen Windus were
recognized for 10 years of service, while Gasdik, Dwayne Hall,
Sandra Johnson, Ilie Maine, Yvonne Morris, Marsha Van Vlack and
Stacie Woodruff received awards for five years of service.
Gasdik handed out the awards with help from George Fillgrove, a
representative from the office of Senator Catharine Young. Fillgrove,
who was the chairman of the American Red Cross Allegany County
Chapter from 2004 - 2005, presented some of the award winners with
special citations from Senator Young.
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Allegany County Red Cross deploys volunteers to assist flood
victims
June 30, 2006 -- The Allegany County Chapter of
the American Red Cross deployed two volunteers to assist victims of
flooding in the Binghamton area. Alison Dickinson of Belmont and
Barbara Brown of Wellsville left Thursday to join other National Red
Cross volunteers in supporting the immediate emergency needs of
individuals and families as the potential for flash flooding
continues and to help people recover from this disaster as quickly
as possible.
Ms. Brown, a Human Resource manager at ACCORD Corporation and Mr.
Dickinson, an employment counselor at the Allegany County Employment
& Training Center have both been valuable volunteers in times of
disaster to people throughout Allegany County and the entire
country. "Alison's and Barb's support and leadership is critical to
the success of disaster operations, and we are proud to have them
represent Allegany County at national disasters," said Madeleine
Gasdik, executive director of the Allegany County Chapter. "Their
experience on disaster assignments is invaluable and we are grateful
to their employers for allowing them to provide this important
service."
The American Red Cross continues to provide shelter and food for
families forced from their homes due to extensive flooding around
the Northeast and now has 91 Red Cross shelters in New York, N.J.
and Pennsylvania.
All American red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by
voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You
can help the victims of disasters in Allegany County by making a
financial figt to the Allegany County Chapter American Red Cross
Disaster Relief Fund at 112 N. Main St., Wellsville, NY 14895. This
fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and
other assistance to victims of disaster in our local communities.
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Family left homeless after lightning strike
Red Cross steps in to help after fire
By Kathryn Ross (Wellsville Daily Reporter)
WEST CLARKSVILLE (June 30, 2006) -- A family lost their home last
evening after it was struck by lightning.
The Clarksville fire department was called out at 4:27 p.m. Thursday
night to a structure fire at 8960 County Road 5, in Obi which was
reportedly caused when lightning struck a house occupied by the Rick
Perry family. The house is owned by David Weatherley Jr. The house
was destroyed and left unlivable according to representative of the
American Red Cross who were also on the scene. There is no estimate
of the damage.
Along with Clarksville firefighters from, Cuba, New Hudson,
Portville and Bolivar reported to the scene. There were no injuries
reported. West Clarksville Fire Chief Frank VanSickle could not be
reached fro comment this morning.
The family of three, a man, woman and elementary school-aged
daughter were sheltered by the Red Cross, and according to a
representative " they are in need of everything, because the house
was destroyed."
Contribution for the family or to the Red Cross can be made to the
Allegany County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 112 North Main
Street, Wellsville, N.Y.
Local Red Cross Director, Madeleine Gasdik said in cases such as
these, the Red Cross offers food, clothing and or shelter to the
victims. This is the 23rd fire the Red Cross has reported to this
year.
Getting blood from an Assemblyman
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Giglio donates; summer means low blood supply
By Kathryn Ross
WELLSVILLE -- Summer brings fun and more activity, but also a
greater need for blood and blood products.
At a blood drive Thursday at the Wellsville American Legion Post
Assemblyman Joseph Giglio, RGowanda, pointed out the need for blood
by doing a little bloodletting himself.
"The need for blood always increases in the summer, so its important
for people to get out there and give blood," said Giglio.
Madeleine Gasdik, executive director of the Allegany County Chapter
of the American Red Cross, said more blood donations are needed in
the summer time for two reasons. "With increased activities there
are more accidents, and secondly with school being out of session
and people taking vacations there are less donors," she said.
All of the blood collected in Allegany County blood drives stays in
western New York and northern Pennsylvania because the chapter is
part of the NY/Penn Blood Region, out of Rochester.
Nationally, more than 15 million units of donated whole blood are
made into 30 million components.
Gasdik said the important of local blood collections was made very
clear to her recently.
"My mother (Cis Gasdik) was visiting my brother in Utah on the
Fourth of July and while she was there she had a massive heart
attack and needed massive amounts of blood," she said. "All of a
sudden it hit me as to how important it is to give blood." Gasdik is
a blood donor herself.
Her mother is back in Wellsville and recuperating and well on the
road to recovery, she said.
Blood only lasts for a few weeks so we need to replenish it to keep
the supply fresh," Gasdik said. The usual goal of blood drives is
between 30 and 40 donors.
Regular blood donors can donate up to six times a year. A new
program called Double Red provided the same amount of blood, but
requires donations only three times a year. With the new program
donors get a refund -- their own blood back.
The Double Red procedure uses a smaller needle, a comfortable bed or
chair and donors do not become as dehydrated as with a regular
donation Gasdik said, because they don't loose the volume of blood
they normally do. Only certain components are taken from the blood
which is then returned to the donor. One Double Red donation counts
as two donations because of the components that are removed from the
blood.
"These days most patients receive specific blood components rather
than whole blood," Gasdik said. "They receive platelets, red blood
cells or plasma rather than whole blood. The new method is the
easiest way to get those components. You get your own blood back,
after they remove needed components."
A cell separator provides the volume replacement, Gasdik said, so
the donor feels more comfortable after the procedure. Donation time
is 30 minutes. Blood types O and B are needed for the procedure.
There are eligibility requirements for the new program. Males have
to be at least 5-foot-1 and weigh at least 150 pounds. Females have
to be at least 5-feet tall and weigh at least 175 pounds.
The next local blood drive is scheduled for Aug. 21 at the Moose
club on 242 maple Avenue. Register with the Red Cross at (585)
593-1531.
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