My Volunteer Experience with the Red Cross

Abu Sufiyan interviews a woman living in a portion of Bangladesh often affected by floods and river erosion. The interview was part of a case study he completed while working for Concern Worldwide in 2009. The case study assessed the affect of interventions by non-profits and volunteers following a disaster and what additional assistance was required.

 The following was written by Red Cross volunteer Abu Sufiyan.

I began my volunteer service with American Red Cross in June of 2014. I recently graduated from University of Louisville with a specialization in Disaster Management. I joined the Red Cross volunteer service to use my newly open time to contribute to the lives of disaster affected people. I am excited to use my knowledge and experience in a new and practical environment.

First, I met with the communication team of the Louisville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. I was introduced to the blog and social media of the chapter and discussed the different volunteer opportunities with the American Red Cross. I expressed my interest in interviewing people and writing stories about the feelings, needs, and experiences of the community members in the aftermath of a disaster.

I have been volunteering ever since I was in college and one of the activities I have always enjoyed was helping others and service to the community. When I first learned about volunteer opportunities in American Red Cross, I was very much interested as the organization is bringing real change in the lives of disaster affected people every day. I believe that everyone should dedicate some time for service to humanity. As Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

I am originally from Bangladesh, a country that is not only poor but also affected by cyclones, floods, and other coastal hazards almost every year. After viewing the sufferings of people while I was working for an international humanitarian organization, I decided to take a career path that will alleviate the sufferings of people in a disaster situation. I have completed my doctoral dissertation on the differential of disasters on the poor in the Gulf Coast region. From my experience from two countries, I understand that the sufferings of the people are not much different in the aftermath of a disaster, and people need utmost help to return to the normal lifestyle.

Later I was introduced to the online learning opportunities at the Saba website of the Red Cross. I have already completed eight courses on disaster management. It is quite interesting that new volunteers can take courses in the comfort of their home. I feel that the courses on disaster services, diversity, sensitivity, and awareness, disaster assessment, disaster planning and public affairs were really informative and provide practical knowledge about disaster services. I am willing to continue my volunteer services with the American Red Cross.

We are excited to welcome Abu to the Red Cross team! For more information on becoming a Red Cross volunteer at the Louisville Area Chapter, visit redcross.org/Louisville.

Hollywood Halloween Tips

Photo Courtesy of amuchdeeperlevel.blogspot.com

It's been quite a while since my last post, but I can always count on Halloween to stir up a little creative inspiration. Candy and costumes were my favorite parts of the sometimes misunderstood holiday, but Halloween kid movies were a close third. Here are a few tips I shall carry with me forever:

The Witches: Don't accept candy from strangers. You could end up like this guy. ^ Poor Bruno.

Casper: If your house is haunted, just make friends with the ghosts. 

Ernest Scared Stupid: Milk does a body good AND defeats nasty trolls.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: DON'T mess with Christmas. That being said, there's a time and a place for every holiday. Department stores, take note.

And, of course, if we learned nothing else, every 90s kid knows, NEVER, EVER light the black flame candle. (Although, it could be fun.)

GIF courtesy of redletterdayeblog.wordpress.com

I know there are plenty more out there. Share your favorite Halloween movie tip in the comments and review the tips below for a safe Halloween.

• Look for flame-resistant costumes.
• Plan the Trick-or-Treat route and make sure adults know where children are going. A responsible adult should accompany young children.
• Make sure the Trick-or-Treaters have a flashlight. Add reflective tape to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags. Have everyone wear light-colored clothing in order to be seen.
• Visit only the homes with a porch light on. Accept treats at the door. Never go inside.
• Instead of masks, which can make it hard to see, consider using face paint.
• Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street and cross only at the corner. Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
• Be cautious around pets and any other animals.

WELCOMING GHOSTS AND GOBLINS 

• Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps.
• Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
• Restrain any household pets.
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.

LEARN WHAT TO DO 

Download the free American Red Cross First Aid App. Features of the app include:

• Step-by-step instructions on how to handle the most common first aid situations;
• Videos and animations that  make the skills easy to learn;
• Safety and preparedness tips; and
• Quizzes that users can take to earn badges which they can share with their friends on social media. 

People can find all of the Red Cross apps in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps.

Youth Council Brings Water Safety to Joy-Lou

The following was submitted by Louisville Area Chapter Club Council member Reagan Roy.

On June 11, 2013, the Louisville Area Chapter Club Council presented a Longfellow’s WHALE Tales presentation to around 20 children at Joy-Lou Pre-School & Day Care. The WHALE Tales program is derived from water safety classes created by Commodore Wilbert E. Longfellow.

Longfellow started the Red Cross Lifesaving Corps in 1914 to train volunteers in the methods of lifesaving and resuscitation. His next step was to provide large-scale instruction in swimming. The Commodore's teaching philosophy was to "entertain the public hugely while educating them gently." He did just that. In tribute to Commodore Longfellow, the mascot for the program is a blue whale named “Longfellow”. This is because Commodore Longfellow was nicknamed “The Amicable Whale” for his service.

The council members presented water safety rules to the children. Some of the rules presented were:

• Don’t swim alone
• Follow the pool rules
• Look before you leap
• Think don’t sink
• Reach or throw don’t go

“Everybody did an outstanding job,” said Council Member Jada Stewart. “The children were great and really seemed to enjoy it.”

To engage the children, the volunteers performed three skits during the event followed by a question and answer session led by the members. Each child in the room had the chance to answer a question correctly and receive a Red Cross bracelet for their participation. The members also told personal stories or lead group discussions around the general pool side rules.

The teacher received WHALE Tales worksheets to work on with the children at a later date, reinforcing the message of water safety. Members who helped present were Taylor Greenwell, Brianna Rodgers, Jada Stewart, Michael Jones and Reagan Roy. Youth Coordinator Kristen Lawrence was in charge of preparing and overseeing the event.

If you are interested in more information on the Chapter Club Council or other youth volunteer opportunities at the American Red Cross Louisville Area Chapter, call 502-561-3601 or visit www.redcross.org/Louisville.

Week 1: Comb your home

During week 1, you won't need to spend a dime. You might not know it, but your home already contains many of the materials you need in a disaster kit. Take, for instance, the kit itself. While a kit is most often depicted as a back pack, you can use any easy-to-carry container. Maybe you have a tote or large covered trash can. And if you choose to use a bag, it doesn't need to be new. Maybe you or your kids have an old backpack or duffel bag that can be used. Once you choose your container, tour your house to find the following items:

a set of clothing and sturdy shoes for each family member*

copies of important papers (birth certificates, ID, insurance policies, passports, etc.)*

a 3-day supply of medications in a childproof container

contact information (current list of family phone numbers and e-mail addresses, including someone out of the area who can be reached if local lines are out of service)*

map (mark an evacuation route from your local area)*

cash in small bills (ATMs and credit cards won't work with the power out)*

spare keys

spare glasses or contacts and solution

books or toys

*place item(s) in waterproof container or bag

Remember to check off each item on your list as you go. In the coming weeks, you might find other items around the house that you can put in your kit. It's always a good idea to check your cabinets before heading to the store. Just make sure to also check expiration dates ;)

Download 21 Weeks to Prepare Shopping List

Chardonnay & Charity

My first interaction with wine was not exactly a positive experience. The astringent, red, house wine of Harlaxton Manor left a bad taste in my mouth, triggering a boycott during my four-months studying abroad. It was during a wine tasting party over a year later that I discovered my love for fruity and crisp Rieslings. Since then, I've even branched out into a few reds. I invite anyone (of age, of course) to expand their own wine boundaries at the August 25 summer gathering of Louisville Uncorked.

Louisville Uncorked is a social event held seasonally in various locations. While it is mainly a great way to have fun and network, the Host Committee of Uncorked also chooses a non-profit to benefit from the proceeds. This time around, the American Red Cross will have the honor of receiving collected donations. If you would like to attend to help support the Red Cross and have a good time, visit Uncorked's website to RSVP (REQUIRED) and learn more about the rules of the event.

With only four events a year, the Uncorked calendar fills up quickly, but the resolve of Crossing Generations member Brian Settles paid off. Brian, an attorney with Fultz Maddox Hovious & Dickens PLC, hopes the event will help promote Red Cross services and expand the membership of Crossing Generations, the chapter's young professionals group.

Crossing Generations is a self-governing society that engages young professionals in the mission of the Red Cross. Member benefits include networking, personal and professional development, and mentorships with board members. Some have even gone on to join the Red Cross Board of Directors. The group is always looking for new members and meets on the second Tuesday of each month. If you or someone you know is interested in joining, please send an e-mail to crossinggenerations@louisville-redcross.org.

Attention all Pet Parents!

"The second worst thing that can happen to a pet is for it to get sick or injured; the worst thing is when that pet's caregiver has no clue what to do."

American Red Cross volunteer Sara Beavin and her husband rescue animals with special needs, so she first became interested in Pet First Aid to help take care of her own pets. When she discovered that the Louisville Area Chapter didn't offer the course, she took it upon herself to become an instructor and develop the program. In 2005, Sara obtained instructor certification and has been running the local program ever since. In addition to being an instructor, she has also invested in training materials including canine and cat mannequins for students to practice CPR and rescue breathing.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to take the class with Sara and learned quite a few things that will come in handy as a pet parent. For instance, in case of a head, neck or back injury, a cookie sheet can serve as a backboard to transport your cat or small dog. And plastic wrap is a great way to keep them in place without damaging their fur—something your pet will definitely appreciate.

In this video, Sara discusses why it's important for pet parents to learn how to care for their pets in case of an emergency, and also offers a few tips to prepare just in case Milo or Otis get into trouble.



The Louisville Area Chapter 2011 Pet First Aid Schedule
Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dec. 28 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Call 1-877-519-5967 to register for a Pet First Aid class. Also, prepare yourself and your pets before disaster strikes using this Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist.

Trick or Treat

As a kid, I had two go-to Halloween costumes: princess and cheerleader. Not only was it always super easy to find a costume, but it was easy on the budget. Each year I would change it up a bit. Once I added wings to be a fairy princess, another time I transformed into a zombie cheerleader with the help of a little make-up.

Another tradition I came upon early was falling down along the trick-or-treat path, which always led to scraped knees or sprained ankles.

It never hurt to be prepared for anything (including snowstorms). Here are a few tips to help you and your family have a safe Halloween.

The Lucky 13
1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, skateboards and brooms!)
6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And cross from the corner!)
8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a safety gamble!
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (And don’t hide between parked vehicles).
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
13. Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you’re done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

Download a printable copy which includes a 10% off coupon for the Red Cross store.

Know Your A-B-C

Good news everyone! After further review of the AHA CPR guidelines, the American Red Cross has decided to stick with its current course layout. People electing to take a Red Cross CPR course will be trained in full CPR with chest compressions and rescue breathing. For a full statement on the decision, go to www.redcross.org.

Of course, the Red Cross recommends you renew your CPR certification each year, but at least those of you who have recently taken the course know that you were trained in the latest and greatest materials.

The Red Cross also announced that it is launching a Citizen CPR Campaign to train 5 million people in hands-only CPR by the end of 2011. The hands-only technique is meant to be used outside hospitals where a bystander witnesses someone else collapse. The course will be 30 minutes in length. More info on that to come later, but for those of you who would like to see what all the buzz is about, check out this two-minute video demonstration or download the free, instructional PDF.

ABC or CAB?

As you may have already heard, the American Heart Association (AHA) updated its guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiac Care. The one change that has caused a lot of buzz is the sequence of CPR steps. The American Red Cross currently endorses the following steps:

Airway
Breathing
Compressions

AHA has changed their sequence to:

Compressions
Airway
Breathing

The Red Cross is reviewing changes to the sequence and will soon decide whether or not to change its training and course materials. In the meantime, learning CPR is still of great importance, especially when it could mean saving the life of a friend or loved one.

Check out this clip from the film "Hood to Coast," which follows four teams participating in the world's largest relay race held annually in Oregon. Team Heart n' Soul had a life-changing experience when one of their member's was saved by CPR after she collapsed in the middle of her run.

Hood To Coast Movie - Red Cross CPR from HoodToCoastMovie on Vimeo.

For more on "Hood to Coast," go to www.hoodtocoastmovie.com.

Home Fire Hazard

While designer handbag knock-offs might make you look fashionable, purchasing some counterfeit products to save a few bucks could cost you more in the end. In 2007 UL (Underwriters Laboratories-a product safety certification organization) sent out a press release warning consumers of counterfeit surge protectors. So what's the big deal?

Well, the surge protectors in question were using undersized wire and insufficient insulation. On top of that they didn't have a ground wire or surge protection. This information may be Greek to you (it's Greek to me, too.) The main thing you need to know is that the product's failure to meet UL standards made it a fire hazard and put users at risk of electric shock.

Make sure you are up to date on product warnings and recalls by visiting UL's Public Notices page.

Also, for you savvy shoppers out there, electronics and handbags aren't the only products with a false façade. Check out this video from Yahoo Finance featuring the Top 5 counterfeited products. Warning! You may want to toss that designer impostor perfume you bought at the drug store.

Red Cross Responds to Apartment Fire

Red Cross workers responded to an apartment fire that affected multiple units this morning in Louisville. While only one apartment was destroyed, others suffered from smoke damage. The Red Cross is providing three families with their immediate emergency needs including food, clothing and temporary shelter.

The Red Cross encourages everyone to practice fire safety and prevention every day. Two ways to prevent home fires from occurring are to:

1. Install smoke alarms. There should be one on each floor of your home and outside each bedroom or sleeping area. Test them once a month and replace batteries once a year.
2. Create an emergency escape plan. Identify two exits from each room of your home, and pick a meeting spot outside of your home where members of your household can gather after an emergency. Practice the plan twice a year.

Members of Red Cross Disaster Action Teams (DAT) are made up of volunteers and are on call 24/7 to assist those affected by home fires. If you would like to join and help support others in their time of need, please call 561-3601.

Fire Burnin'

New Kids on the Block had a bunch of hits. Everyone knows that part of the story thanks to LFO (RIP Rich Cronin), but one of my favorite NKOTB stories has to do with a “new kid” allegedly starting a fire that threatened a treasured Louisville landmark—the Seelbach Hotel.

I’ll let you choose whether or not to read the whole story, but in a nutshell, back in 1991 “new kid” Donnie Wahlberg was accused of starting a fire outside another guest’s room in retaliation to a noise complaint. The fire left nothing more than a small burn on the hotel’s carpet. Unfortunately, not all hotel fires end so well.

Check out this footage from a fire at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas circa 1980. 85 people died and 700 were injured. The fire triggered the creation of many new fire safety requirements. If you’re short on time, skip ahead to the 6:30 mark for a few tips on fire safety during hotel stays.


Thanks to NFPA for posting the video.

As for Donnie Wahlberg, while googling I was unable to discover the final charges in his case, but the “new kid” is currently starring in “Blue Bloods” on CBS. The Associated Press announced Monday that Donnie just finalized a divorce from his wife of ten years. Gossip sites are reporting that he doesn’t seem too upset. I guess the fire in their relationship had burned out.

Get Trained

Disasters aren't always caused by mother nature. Sometimes they come in a much smaller, unexpected form, like, for instance, a heart attack.

Earlier this month I attended a Workplace Seminar on AED usage hosted by our Health and Safety department. During the seminar, a slide breaking down total response time was shown to the audience.

Recognize Emergency: 30 sec
Get to a telephone: 30 sec
Call 9-1-1, give info: 45 sec
9-1-1 dispatches info: 15 sec
EMS receives info, gets vehicle: 30 sec
Travel time: 1 min
EMS arrives, unloads/gets gear: 1 min
EMS evaluates person: 30 sec

Total Response time: 5 min
Total response time without travel: 4 min
Data from EMS in Flint, MI

Response time may be even worse depending on where you are located. By the time EMS arrives, it may be too late. That is why the Red Cross encourages everyone to be trained in CPR and AED usage. The Health and Safety department offers different combinations of training to fit your needs along with many other training opportunities.

For more information or to register for a class call 502-561-3605, or visit our website at www.louisville-redcross.org.

Make a Plan

So you’ve built your disaster kit and done your research on local emergency resources. You should be good to go for a disaster right? Not exactly. Laying out a plan is essential to preparing for a disaster, especially when you have more than yourself to worry about.

When disaster hits, you may have little or no time to react. In advance, sit down with all members of your household to decide on the following:

Meeting Places—1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency. 2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Make sure everyone knows the address and how to get there (Google Maps!) and has a phone number for the home/facility.

Escape Plan—Draw out a floor plan of your residence marking the locations of doors, windows, stairways, furniture and emergency supplies. Identify two escape routes from each room. Windows do count, so if you or a member of your household does not live on the ground floor, consider purchasing a collapsible escape ladder.

Attention to Details—Don’t forget to plan for people with mobility problems. Make more than one exit wheelchair-accessible just in case the primary exit is blocked.

Drills—Practice may not make you perfect, but it will make you more able to deal with an actual emergency. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills each year. This will help you identify problem areas that could become an issue during real emergencies.

Find more on how to create your disaster plan at www.redcross.org.