NATIONAL CPR/AED AWARENESS WEEK, JUNE 1-7, 2008
In December of 2007, Congress passed a bill designating the first week of June as "National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week". The American Red Cross goal and commitment to this effort is to reach 250,000 people during that week with CPR and AED information--directly and through collaborations with other organizations. This information will provide those people with the vital knowledge and skills to respond to a life threatening situation with confidence. Through this outreach, we hope that we can raise the public awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, suffered by more than 300,000 people each year, and increase the chance of survival that can be achieved by having at least one person in each household trained in CPR and the use of an AED.
WORKPLACE BREAKFAST SEMINAR, JUNE 3, 2008
8:30a Continental Breakfast
9a - 12n Seminar
West Alabama Chapter, 1100 Veterans Memorial Parkway
CALL 205-758-3608 by MAY 29, 2008 to reserve a seat.
****Come learn why the American Red Cross has been the leader in health and safety training for more than 90 years. Let us give you and your employees the confidence to respond to emergencies with skills that can save lives. Attend our FREE workplace seminar to learn about advances in lifesaving techniques, as well as the newly revised programs from the Red Cross. Seminar topics include:
*An OSHA educator will be on-site to discuss OSHA regulations as they apply to your business;
*Our innovative "practice-while-you-watch" instructional method allows course participants more hands-on practice and better engages them in the learning process;
*New training materials (including DVDs specific to workplace environments and safety training module information) enhance the relevancy of training for your staff; and
*Automated External Defibrillator (AED) information and how it may save someone's life.
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HIV AWARENESS DAY JUNE 27 10a-2p
for more information, please call 758-3608, and TBA
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RECRUITING BOARD MEMBERS from a diverse pool of candidates is critical to the ability of each Chapter to provide service to all people in the community. The vitality of the American Red Cross depends upon strong and committed chapter boards. Effective nominating committees help ensure that candidates selected to serve on chapter boards will uphold the standards of the Red Cross and keep chapters strong and viable in the midst of changing times and new challenges.
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If you remember your CPR, and it's time to recertify, opt for our CPR Challenge......You come in, pass a written exam with 80% or better, and demonstrate to an instructor all required CPR skills. CPR Challenge is $15. If you need a review, but not the full course again, our CPR Review is $25.
Did you know that we ALWAYS really need Disaster Volunteers? Training is FREE. Most classes are held from 6p-9p @ the Red Cross Chapter House, 1100 Veterans Memorial Parkway. See our Disaster Service page for schedule.
Support the Red Cross while preparing yourself and your family for disasters........visit the RedCross.org Store @ www.redcross.org/store, which features emergency preparedness kits for families and individuals; first aid kits for the home, car, and office; quick reference guides that detail basic first steps for emergency situations; vintage items; and great Red Cross wear.
Aquatics School is May 16-21 (Fri-Weds) @ U of AL Aquatic Center. Lifeguarding, Water Safety Instructor, and Lifeguarding Instructor training are offered. Call 205-758-3608 for course outline and class schedule. Preregistration is required; course fees are $195-$205. Recertification is also offered; $100. See Aquatics page.
American Red Cross Babysitting course: Saturday, June 28, 9a-5p, Ages 11-15; Fee is $30. FOCUS ELEMENTS: Safety, Leadership, Child Development, Choking Emergency--Infant & Child, Rescue Breathing, How to market yourself. Please call to register. Babysitting is one of the most responsible jobs in the world: For more information, call Sarah McPherson @ 205-758-3608.
BABYSITTING CAMP is scheduled for May 29-31 (Thurs-Sat); Includes Infant/Child CPR training; Fee is $75; Thurs&Fri 8a-11a, Sat 8a-12n. Call 205-758-3608.
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RED CROSS TEAMS WITH SAFETY4KIDS..........To continue helping children learn important safety information, the American Red Cross is participating in the development of television programs, books and new media, which focus on teaching young children preparedness and health and safety information.......The first project in this venture is a partnership with Safety4Kids (S4K). S4K is a multi-faceted company whose prime focus is promoting the safety and wellness of children through various entertainment outlets and accompanying information for parents. Their flagship children's show is "SeeMore's Playhouse".
Through outreach to younger children, the Red Cross can help begin fostering safer and healthier habits in children at an early age. (DVD available: call 205-758-3608, Health & Safety)
A QUESTION FOR YOU....
If someone collapsed from cardiac arrest at your workplace today, how quickly could emergency personnel arrive at your site? What are the victim's chances of survival? Unfortunately, the answers give little room for reliance on a phone call to 9-1-1. Average EMS response time in the United States is at least 10 minutes. Even with the best EMS response, cardiac arrest survival rates drop by 10% for every minute defibrillation is delayed. "An employer has an obligation to provide to all employees a safe and healthy workplace." OSHA 93-01
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS CAN HELP
Now for the good news.... The American Red Cross is leading the way toward ensuring that training in Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use for emergencies in the workplace is standard for every business across the country. AED training is offered in all American Red Cross Adult CPR classes and we can assist you in implementing an AED program at your workplace. By purchasing your AED through the American Red Cross you invest in the community.
OSHA ENCOURAGES DEFIBRILLATOR USE
Because the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can save lives of workers who experience cardiac arrest while on the job, OSHA, on December 17, 2001, encouraged employers to consider making this equipment available in their workplaces. At most companies, the risks are present for cardiac arrest. Employees that suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or are overweight are all at risk. Workers involved in shift work, holding stressful jobs, or exposed to certain chemicals or electrical hazards also face a higher risk of heart disease and cardiac arrest.
HIGH RETURNS WITH LITTLE INVESTMENT
Purchasing your AED and conducting CPR/AED and first aid training from the American Red Cross is something you can do now to protect the long-term safety of your employees. We can be your local contact for all your health, safety, and preparedness needs. Contact West Alabama American Red Cross (205) 758-3608 today! Become a company that is trained, empowered, and prepared.
Thank you.
Sarah R. McPherson, Health and Safety Services Director, mcphersons@bamaredcross.org
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ANNUAL REPORT
Fiscal Year 2007-----Report to the Community
The Red Cross in Our Community
Disaster Relief and Community Disaster Education
When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross is there. We assisted 186 families in our seven county jurisdiction with emergency food, shelter, and supplies. This assistance totaled $96,137.
Because being prepared can make your family and community safer and sometimes minimize injury and destruction, we made disaster education presentations to over 10,205 individuals in the community.
Health and Safety Services
From first aid, CPR and AED training to swimming and lifeguarding, American Red Cross programs help people lead safer and healthier lives. This year, the following classes were offered to the number of individuals listed:
FY'07 FY'06
- First Aid/CPR Training 6,998 3,488
- Aquatics & Water Safety Training 1,130 171
- HIV/AIDS Education 7,008 441
- Baby Sitting Training 37 3
- Elementary School Training in Emergency
and Disaster Preparedness 1,464 903
- Workplace Presentations 45 885
- Health Fairs 1,848 312
General Presentations 7,200 475
Armed Forces Emergency Services
The American Red Cross provides communication between those in the Armed Forces and their families. We have a worldwide network that reaches service members wherever they are to communicate a birth, death, or illness. This year we provided emergency communications for 262 military families.
Blood Services
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Thanks to generous blood donors, the Red Cross collects and distributes nearly half the nation's blood supply. Over the last year, we helped collect 3,708 units of blood through numerous blood drives.
Community Services-------
A Note About Volunteers
We depend on volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to carry on our work. Volunteers constitute 97 percent of our total workforce, serving as members of the board, instructors teaching lifesaving skills, disaster action team members, office administrators, event organizers and more.
This year, 1,122 volunteers made the work of the chapter possible, contributing 6,886 hours, for a contribution estimated at $35,462.29.
Statement of Financial Position-----For the Year Ending June 30, 2007
FY'07 FY'06
ENDING NET ASSETS $398,930 $377,844
Statement of Activities
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS, REVENUES & GAINS $562,957 $494,735
Expenses
Program Services
Armed Forces Emergency Services $81,350 72,920
Disaster Services 179,103 203,919
Blood Services 5,007 3,885
Health Services 113,387 65,166
Community Services 68,694 46,372
International Services 0 7,399
Total Program Services $477,541 $399,661
Membership and Fundraising 44,738 6,453
Management and General 99,204 82,902
TOTAL EXPENSES $672,869 $489,016
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NEWS ABOUT OUR SERVICES-------------
BLOOD The Red Cross serves as the bridge between over 4 million generous blood donors and millions of patients in need each year. In West Alabama, our blood center is located at 921 Professional Plaza, 205-391-4859, open Wednesdays: 12 noon-6p, and Fridays: 8a-1:30p.
DISASTER SERVICES Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters. In West Alabama, our biggest disasters are single-family fires. We also offer FREE classes in disaster response such as Shelter Management, Fulfilling Our Mission, and ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) Driving.
HEALTH and SAFETY SERVICES For nearly a century, the American Red Cross has prepared people to save lives through health and safety education and training. At the West Alabama Chapter, we offer First Aid, CPR (Adult, Child, and Infant), AED, Babysitting Training, Sport Safety Training, Pet First Aid, HIV Starter Facts, CPR for the Professional Rescuer----and Instructor courses for all of our courses offered.
AFES American Red Cross communication services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of a family member or other important events, such as the birth of a child. The Red Cross quickly sends these communications on behalf of the family to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies, and isolated military units. The information or verification in a message assists the service member's commanding officer with making a decision regarding emergency leave.
VOLUNTEER SERVICES Volunteers constitute 96 percent of our total work force to carry on our humanitarian work. The American Red Cross helps people in emergencies every day. Whether it's half a million disaster victims or one sick child who needs blood, our vital work is made possible by people like you, who learn how good it can feel to lend a helping hand.
COMMUNITY SERVICES The West Alabama Chapter tries to give as much back to the West Alabama area as we can! We attend health fairs, give out FREE food at community events, host "family fire weekends", and even participate in events such as the West Alabama Annual Christmas Parade. We love our community and it is our goal to keep it safe and healthy!