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.

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.

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.

National Dog Week

It seems nowadays there is a day dedicated to all the important people in your life. We have mothers day, fathers day and grandparents day, so shouldn't there be a day dedicated to man's best friend? What about seven days?

This week is National Dog Week, set aside just for your fetch-loving, tail-chasing, playful pooch. While your furry friend might seem fierce enough to handle his/herself, there might be a day when he/she needs more from you than just a bowl of kibble. The American Red Cross offers a pet first aid course that can give you all the skills you need to be there for your friend in his/her time of need. Here are a few upcoming dates for Pet First Aid at the Louisville Area Chapter.

• October 12 (Tues) 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• November 6 (Sat) 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• December 29 (Wed) 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

During the course you will learn CPR and rescue breathing during an emergency, symptoms and care for common ailments and emergencies, how to create a pet first aid kit, and tips on how to maintain your pets health and well-being.

Course fee is $30. Call 561-3605 to register. Also check out tips on how to prepare for your pets in case of a disaster.

Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist

Build a Kit

What would you do if your house burned down? Was hit by a tornado? Suffered major damage from a hurricane (a la Hurricane Ike windstorm)? What would you do if you lost everything?

The last major disaster to hit the Louisville area was the August flood in 2009. That was over a year ago, but the Red Cross responds to more than “major” disasters.

Since September 1, the Louisville Area Chapter has responded to 14 home fires, 6 of which occurred at an apartment complex or boarding house where multiple families lived. Many of the residents affected lost all of their belongings; this includes clothing, food, photos and other precious items.

What if you only had a few moments to grab everything you needed? Wouldn’t it be easier if you already had your basic necessities packed and ready to go? This is exactly what the Red Cross recommends. Every family—scratch that—every individual, should have a disaster kit packed and ready in case of an emergency.

While the pack should mainly consist of basic survival items like clothing, non-perishable food and water, packing your kit ahead of time allows you to think of the not-so-obvious items like copies of important documents, medications, gloves or, my personal favorite, a can opener. A girl’s gotta eat, and so do you.

Don't forget to put together a kit to keep at work or in your car.

For a full list of items you should include in your disaster kit, go to www.redcross.org.