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Greetings,
As we are so often reminded, preparedness is not a
goal; it's a journey. And we've seen some important
steps along that road in recent weeks. Planning, of
course, is key to preparedness; just as important are
the training and exercises that go into testing those
plans. We begin this month's newsletter with two
recent drills that aim to ensure our regional ability to
respond to a mass casualty disaster and to a
potential pandemic flu.
Our plans bore fruit at the start of November when
Red Cross SEPA responded to 25 disasters in the first
seven days of the month. As always, our dedicated
volunteers answered the call, providing help to 152
people in their time of need. To date in November,
we have responded to a total of 70 disasters, giving
assistance to 358 people.
As one of more than 1,000 volunteers here in
Emergency Services, you are the essential element
to preparing our Chapter, our city, and our region for
disaster. We thank you for your commitment to the
Red Cross and send you our sincerest wishes for a
safe and happy holiday season.
Best regards,
Tom Foley
Chief Executive Officer
Maureen Tomoschuk
Senior Director Emergency Services
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Disaster Drill
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Volunteers participate in Regional Counterterrorism Task Force Disaster Drill
Red Cross and Voluntary Organizations Active in
Disaster (VOAD) volunteers joined more than 350
Thomas Jefferson University nursing students to act
as victims for a terrorism drill at the Wachovia
Center.
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Pandemic Preparedness
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Bucks County Declares Pandemic Drill a Success
Residents get free flu vaccines while Bucks County
tests a key weapon to combat pandemic flu.
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A Note from Tom Foley
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An update on the activities at SEPA
On November 1, we honored five women at our
annual Spectrum Awards breakfast, the 10th such
event under the model chairmanship of Karol
Wasylyshyn. The humorist Robert Benchley famously
remarked, "a committee is a cul-de-sac down which
ideas are lured and then quietly strangled." Karol and
her committee are truly the exception that proves
the rule.
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Volunteers' First-Time Disaster Experiences
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Hear unique and exciting stories from our volunteers!
All of our volunteers in Emergency Services have
distinctive first-time experiences when they go out
on a disaster response. We hope you enjoy reading
about how each of our stories are different, while the
mission of the American Red Cross remains the same -
- to provide disaster relief to our clients.
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Painting at the Red Cross House
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A fresh look for some rooms
Volunteers pitch in to brighten up life for residents of
Red Cross House.
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American Red Cross Gift Ideas
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Give the gift that keeps on giving
Looking for a gift idea for the upcoming holiday
season? The American Red Cross has ideas on what
to give to your loved ones.
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ES Staff News
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Welcome Elizabeth Serrano and congratulations Jessie Helwig
Emergency Services congratulates staff that will be
key to accomplishing the Red Cross mission.
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Volunteer View
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How does the American Red Cross impact your life?
Reviewing--reliving--my more than 25 years with the
American Red Cross as a disaster responder shows
one reason I keep coming back: the people you serve
and the people you work with.
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Emergency Services Website Update
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Volunteer Corner launched
Take a look at the new section on the American Red
Cross Emergency Services website made especially
for our volunteers.
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Department of Homeland Security Training
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New online trainings available to volunteers
The highly anticipated Department of Homeland
Security Pilot Courses have been released. The six
online courses focus on terrorism and weapons of
mass destruction.
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Attention, ARC ES Vehicle Drivers
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Don’t forget to monitor and document your mileage
We are very appreciative to Sunoco Company for
donating gas cards for all of our chapter vehicles.
Because of this generous donation, it is important for
all volunteers and staff to take on the responsibility
of keeping accurate records, both in submitting the
gas receipts and accurately entering the mileage at
the gas pump.
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