Cross Blog

Category: News

One Year After Hurricane Ike

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

From Red Cross Chat

Boston.com’s The Big Picture has a series of before and after photos of Hurricane Ike.

Before: the photos depict the area in the immediate aftermath of the storm
After: the photos are taken in the past couple of weeks of the same scenes to show the recovery process.

Read about our efforts to help the people impacted by Ike’s landfall on the Texas gulf coast.

Red Cross, Johnson & Wales and Subway team up for disaster preparedness

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

In the event of a natural disaster hitting the Tar Heel State, the American Red Cross, Johnson & Wales University, a world-renowned culinary institution and SUBWAY® restaurants of North Carolina are joining forces to provide meals for the victims.

To prepare for an event of such magnitude, JWU students and employees, SUBWAY franchisees, Red Cross staff and other support personnel assembled 500 boxed lunches at the JWU Charlotte Campus culinary labs on Monday.

Read more

Vandals break into Red Cross disaster response vehicle

Thursday, August 20, 2009

On Wednesday night, a Red Cross disaster response vehicle was vandalized. Two back doors were ripped from the vehicle and the GPS was stolen.

Repairs could cost our organization thousands of dollars.

Want to help?

You can make a donation online or through the mail.

US Airways Flight 1549 passengers return to thank responders

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

This article originally appeard on NorthJersey.com
Photo by Carmine Galasso/Photo caption: Dave Sanderson, left, and Barry Leonard returned to Palisades Medical Center, where they were treated after their flight crashed into the Hudson River. Watch the video

By KAREN SUDOL
NORTH BERGEN — When passenger Barry Leonard jumped off a US Airways plane that had plunged into the frigid Hudson River in January, his first thought was, “swim to shore.”

But Leonard, one of the first passengers to exit, realized he couldn’t make it and swam back toward a life raft. He and others from Flight 1549 were then rescued by a ferry boat and taken ashore for medical assistance.

Wanting to praise the efforts of the emergency responders and medical personnel who rescued and treated passengers and crew, Leonard and passenger Dave Sanderson hosted a “thank you” luncheon Thursday at Palisades Medical Center.

“I was just really lucky,” said Leonard, 56, of Charlotte, N.C., who suffered a fractured sternum and hypothermia. “We all were.”

“I’m really bonded to Palisades [Medical Center] and the first responders … because I didn’t know how bad I was until I got here,” Sanderson said. “You don’t realize how lucky you are to have people take care of you like this.”

Just minutes after taking off from La Guardia Airport on Jan. 15, the airliner bound for Charlotte lost power in both engines when it struck geese.

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger gained national acclaim for his skillful landing after gently gliding the plane into the river. All 155 aboard survived.

But it was the 75 to 100 responders from agencies such as the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, NY Waterway and the American Red Cross who the two men wanted to honor on Tuesday.

Sanderson, of Charlotte, suffered severe hypothermia when he stood in the frigid water helping passengers transfer from the plane to a raft.

He recalled being in the river, then swimming to and getting on a ferry. When he reached land, he had to be carried to the triage area because he said he was having trouble walking because he was freezing.

“They saved my life,” said 48-year-old Sanderson, who met Leonard when both were patients in the hospital.

Before the luncheon, a heartfelt reunion occurred between Sanderson, Leonard and the hospital nurses and doctors as many exchanged hugs at the hospital’s outdoor patio on the waterfront, which was less than one mile from where the water landing was made.

“It’s great to see him and good to see he’s recovered well,” said Pat Crinion, a registered nurse who treated Leonard.

Heather Bailey, of the North Bergen EMS, said Sanderson recognized her as one the responders who helped wrap him in blankets when he was brought to the triage area.

“They’re lucky,” she said. “All of them are really really lucky. It really is a miracle.”

Jeff Welz, Weehawken’s public safety director and director of the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, said he was thankful for the honor the two passengers bestowed on the responders Tuesday.

Said Welz: “Although it’s something we do every day, everyone likes a pat on the back, and this is our day to get a pat on the back.”

Need a car?

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

The Greater Carolinas Chapter has four vehicles for sale. The prices have been adjusted for known needed repairs and all vehicles will be offered as is.

1991 GMC Truck Sonoma SLE
Red, 146,000 Miles
Asking Price: $900

1994 Jeep Grande Cherokee Laredo
Blue, 100,000 Miles
Asking Price: $1,500

2002 Chrysler Concord Limited
Black, 99,000 Miles
Asking Price: $3,900

1995 Dodge Mini-Van-Handicap Equipped
White, 36,000 miles
Asking Price: $1,500

The sale program is as follows:

All inquires and sales will be first come, first served based on inquiry e-mail date and time of inquiry e-mails sent to Gene Judd at . Please note “Vehicle Sale” in the Subject line. Please indicate which vehicle is of interest, a contact name and a contact phone number in the e-mail. Gene will contact the potential buyers to set up a time to inspect the vehicle.

Purchase of the vehicle can be made at the asking price and the vehicle will not be offered to other potential buyers, or submit a sealed bid for the vehicle. The bids will be considered if the vehicle does not sell for the full asking price. A minimum has been set for each vehicle. 

New hand-held device helps Red Cross quickly gather, send data in emergencies

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

This article originally appeared in Fosters Daily Record

Photo caption: American Red Cross disaster response volunteer David Crockett (right) who works with the Greater Carolinas Chapter in Charlotte, N.C., and an unidentified man were among those in Portsmouth practicing entering information into a portable electronic device. The devices and software offered by Portsmouth-based Global Relief Technologies are making disaster response quicker and more efficient.

By GEOFF CUNNINGHAM Jr.

PORTSMOUTH — While the most crucial asset of the American Red Cross is still its volunteers, officials say a new hand-held device used during disasters is improving the efficiency by which field responders get information to decision makers.

On Monday a group of Red Cross disaster team leaders from all over the country gathered at Global Relief Technologies (GRT) in Pease International Tradeport to continue training on portable “Rapid Data Management System” units that are being used to track damage following emergencies such as hurricanes and floods.

Portsmouth-based GRT offers the units and software that is allowing the Red Cross and other agencies to be able to send information to a Internet-based information gathering system with the simple touch of a button.

The GPS-enabled hand-held units can take pictures of damaged buildings, be used to create spreadsheets and can even scan bar codes in the event rescued individuals are given identification bracelets.

The units are run largely on cellular technology, but have the capability to use satellite transmissions in the event a disaster knocks out cellular towers in a given region.

GRT Vice President of Emergency Management Adam Cote said the units are used by responders to collect data, which can be instantly posted to a secure website.

Cote said the units provide a quicker way for responders to gather information and get it back to those responsible for deciding where to send critical resources and manpower.

“It’s about getting information from those with boots on the ground to decision-makers. When you get through all the bells and whistles that’s really what we do,” Cote said.

American Red Cross Preparedness and Response Lead Program Manager Greg Tune was among those who traveled to Portsmouth on Monday for continued classes and field exercises aimed at helping them learn how to use the electronic units.

Tune said a handful of Red Cross team leaders spending time at GRT will pass information onto other volunteers so they know how to use them when disaster strikes.

He said the Red Cross has been working with GRT for two years and their 40 hand-held units have already been used to collect 70,000 assessments during disaster responses across the country.

Last year the Red Cross used GRT’s “Rapid Data Management System” in its response to hurricanes Ike, Gustav and Dolly.

Tune said the devices replace a more time-consuming process of collecting data through a paper/clipboard process that requires a lot of data entry and counting.

“It’s always been a manual paper-based system and we’ve been looking for technology for a number of years, but there just wasn’t a single solution,” Tune said.

He said the GRT model is a simple and more immediate solution to his unit’s job, which he described as painting a picture of a disaster for those calling the shots.

Tune said the Red Cross had been looking into an electronic way to collect information since the 1980s, but never found a company offering a do-it-all device and the technical assistance to help link it to their data collection methods.

Upon getting them, Red Cross disaster responders realized how they could help streamline assessment of damage in a given area.

On Monday teams leaders from across the nation attended classes and spent some time outside using the hand-held devices.

GRT provides support to the Red Cross and trains them on how to change their Internet-based collection system so it is tailored to their specific needs. Their Portsmouth-based emergency office also can be used to monitor the system and trouble-shoot during disasters.

Cote said GRT is made up of a number of former military leaders and humanitarian relief workers so he assured many know the type of technology needed on the ground to keep operations moving.

Cote said the business has yet to secure a contract with Federal Emergency Management Agency for use of its devices, but has had conversations with that agency.

Film crew captures Red Cross volunteer’s story

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Birman Productions, based in Los Angeles, is filming a documentary surrounding US Airways Flight 1549, which crashed into the Hudson River in January.

Lori Lightner (pictured), who recently started volunteering with the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross, was on that flight.

Dan Birman, the film company president, and his crew flew across the country to capture Lori’s story.

More photos from the filming
Read Lori’s Story here
Read about Red Cross response to the crash

Red Cross participates in Independence Day Parade

Monday, July 06, 2009

Photo courtesy of McBryde Website Design

On Saturday, June 27, the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross participated in the Independence Day Parade in Troutman, N.C.  Vic McIntyre, a volunteer for the Red Cross, pulled the float for the Red Cross Military Support Group.

The Greater Carolinas Chapter Military Support Group meets regularly in Statesville, N.C. In addition to those services, the Red Cross provides other services to our armed forces.

Originally, the Red Cross was founded to aid fallen soldiers on the battlefield. Today, around the clock and around the globe, during times of personal crisis, the Red Cross keeps the American people in touch with their family members serving in the United States military. Wherever United States military troops are located, Red Cross employees and volunteers are there to meet their special needs. The Red Cross provides reporting and communication services through a network which links members of the military any place in the world with their loved ones back home.

Find out more about Red Cross Military Services

Local media coverage depicts United Way cuts’ effect on Red Cross

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

United Way of the Central Carolinas cut local Red Cross services nearly $500,000. Of that, $171,000 was cut from Emergency and Disaster Relief. Because the Red Cross is not a government-funded agency and relies solely on donations from the community, the news of the cuts has been devastating.

“Our Emergency Services program, which took a 40 percent cut in funding from United Way, keeps people from becoming homeless because we can help them find a place to stay after a fire or flooding,” said Pamela Jefsen, CEO of the Greater Carolinas Chapter. “We don’t even want to think about what will happen to these victims of disaster when we start losing the ability to provide that help.”

WBTV, which has always been a champion of Red Cross services, ran a piece recently that captured the effects of this economy on our organization.





Read more about how the chapter is responding to cuts

Do you really have to worry about lightning?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

From Red Cross Chat

Another awareness week is currently upon us. This time it’s Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

Do you really have to worry about lightning? After all, people are always comparing life’s most unlikely scenarios to the likelihood of being struck, right?

Well, it turns out that more people are hurt by lightning than tornadoes or hurricanes, so you should at least educate yourself on a little lightning safety this week. And, you’re in luck. We’ve got tips for you.

• Run to a safe building or vehicle when you first hear thunder, see lightning, or observe dark threatening clouds developing overhead.
  
• Stay inside until 30 minutes after you last hear the last clap of thunder.
  
• Plan Ahead! Your best source of up-to-date weather information is a NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). Portable weather radios are handy for outdoor activities. If you don’t have NWR, stay up to date via internet, TV, local radio or cell phone. If you are in a group, make sure all leaders or members of the group have a lightning safety plan and are ready to use it.
  
• If camping, hiking, etc., far from a safe vehicle or building, avoid open fields, the top of a hill or a ridge top. Keep your site away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees. If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley, ravine or other low area. Remember, a tent offers NO protection from lighting.
  
• If you are camping and your vehicle is nearby, run to it before the storm arrives.
  
• Stay away from water, wet items such as ropes and metal objects, such as fences and poles. Water and metal are excellent conductors of electricity. The current from a lightning flash will easily travel for long distances.

The National Weather Service estimates that 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the United States each year, and lightning is present in all thunderstorms. A cloud-to-ground lightning strike, the most destructive form of lightning, occurs when the electrical difference between a thundercloud and the ground overcomes the insulating properties of the surrounding air.

The danger may not be apparent; lightning has struck 10 miles away from the rain of a thunderstorm. In the United States, cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occur approximately 30 million times each year, most often in Florida and along the southeastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.