Girl Scouts Earn Preparedness Merit Badges: Troops from across NYC Receive Training, Education from FEMA and American Red Cross

Photo Credit: Steven Thorne/American Red Cross

by Jessica Kirk

NEW YORK, NY -- Girl Scouts from across New York City and the surrounding region gathered on Saturday, June 17 at the FEMA Region II office at One World Trade Center for Girl Scouts Day 2017: Girl Scout today, Emergency Manager Tomorrow, hosted by FEMA Region II and the American Red Cross. The rationale was to help the Scouts learn about Disaster Preparedness, providing them the knowledge they need to earn a Girl Scouts badge and an honorary FEMA badge.

Photo credit: Steven Thorne/American Red Cross

Photo Credit: Steven Thorne/American Red Cross

From the youngest Daisies and Brownies to Juniors and Seniors, each Scout learned how to implement basic measures, including which items to include in a Go-Kit and the importance of accurate information dissemination before, during, and following a disaster. From pet preparedness and flooding to Mitigation techniques and fire safety, there was a lot to learn.

Jennifer Ramirez, Red Cross Corps member, taught Scouts the correct way to identify if fire exists on the other side of a door: by using the back of the hand on the doorknob. She also discussed what to do if you cannot leave the room you are in, what to use to block smoke from getting in beneath the door, and how to gain the attention of the fire department from inside a window. Ramirez also spent time instructing Scouts how to calm themselves when anxious by taking deep breaths.

Joe Lenz, also a member of the Red Cross Corps, asked Scouts, "Why do we use a pillowcase for our go bag?"

Photo Credit: Steven Thorne/American Red Cross

"It's like Santa's pack!" said one Scout.

"Yes, it's very light and thin, and easy for you to carry over your shoulder." Joe went on to teach the Scouts about preparing to be safe. He said, "We're entrusting you to be part of The Pillowcase Project family."

Which items are included in the pillowcase? Food, water, a flashlight, medicine, and important documents. Ramirez and Lenz also encouraged the Scouts to speak with their parents/guardians about getting the bags ready.

First Aid instructors, also from the Red Cross, taught the Scouts when to call 911, and what information to provide. Scouts also learned: which items to include in a First Aid kit, how to speak with their families about establishing a fire plan, including choosing a neighborhood evacuation place to meet after the home is evacuated.

Commencement included participating in a song and dance to reinforce what was learned throughout the day and how to be prepared. All attendees participated in the official Girl Scout Promise to practice disaster safety and First Aid. Each Scout earned a special disaster readiness badge and agreed to spread the word among their friends and communities.

My Red Cross Experience

by Marne Braddock, AmeriCorps State and Community Outreach Coordinator

L to R: Arielle Ortiz, Mary Benton and Marnie Braddock

 In late December, I joined the American Red Cross Greater New York Region’s Community Outreach department as an AmeriCorps State member and Community Outreach Coordinator.

After joining the Red Cross, I learned more about the organization’s amazing work, not just in disaster response but in providing free emergency preparedness programs to at-risk communities across the Greater New York region, which encompasses Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley, Westchester, N.Y., and Greenwich, Conn.

I have learned that 97% of the people who work for the Red Cross are volunteers, and that the Red Cross is open 24/7. Though the Red Cross, like many other organizations, has been affected by the recession, the organization continues to respond to roughly eight emergencies a day across Greater New York, as well as to teach approximately 50,000 people a year emergency preparedness skills and another 260,000 people a year First Aid/CPR and other lifesaving skills.

Working in the Community Outreach department, I present emergency preparedness programs to children and adults in all five boroughs. Almost every day I travel to a different location in New York City, meet interesting people, hear their stories and teach people how they can prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. I am personally responsible for presenting to all nonprofit organizations, associations, schools, senior, community and recreation centers and community and faith-based groups in Brooklyn.

Since my first presentation in January, I have learned that children and adults are eager to share their personal experiences.

For example, during a Ready New York presentation (a free 45-minute emergency preparedness presentation teaching NYC residents how to create a plan, build a supply kit, and keep loved ones safe and informed during times of disaster) for a PTA group in Manhattan, one parent mentioned that her apartment caught on fire and she did not know what to do, what to bring or what relief resources are available for victims of disasters through the Red Cross (i.e., shelter, food, financial support).

Another time, during a “Water Habits are Learned Early,” or WHALES Tales, presentation for children on water safety, one child mentioned that when his younger sister fell into a pool, he decided to throw her a floatation device rather than jump in after her because he was not a strong swimmer. I was so pleased to hear that he reacted calmly and rationally, saving his sister’s life in the process without endangering his own.

Hearing these stories has strengthened my passion for teaching emergency preparedness to various communities and has shown me the importance of learning such information.

In an emergency, quick decisions have to be made: If I smell gas, should I call the Fire Department before or after I leave my apartment? If a loved one is struggling in a pool, should I respond or call for help? If I have to evacuate my apartment, what should I have packed in my Go Bag? Knowing the answers to such questions in advance can determine one’s well-being, or even survival.

The Red Cross is made up of hard working, passionate people with a common mission to help communities in need. It has been a rewarding experience that I will continue to cherish.

AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Kim Walker

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them. 

"The Metro New York Red Cross is a fabulous place to be an AmeriCorps member—you are more than just a member of the AmeriCorps State program; you are also a valued part of the Red Cross team. AmeriCorps enables you to give your time to a great cause while living in NYC. My work has been very fulfilling, in part because I have a flexible schedule and the ability to choose the projects I work on.

As a member of the Staffing Team, I assist in staffing mass care (feeding and sheltering) volunteers in opening shelters and reception centers. The snowstorms just after Christmas were a particularly notable time in my AmeriCorps experience. It was chaotic and frustrating at times working remotely as a team with various technologies. However this gave us the opportunity to rework how we staff events, developing new protocols so the team could communicate more effectively and efficiently.

We spent the months after the storms researching technologies and developing a staffing handbook for current team and incoming volunteers. The end result is an improved “standing up” and “standing down” process for volunteers, a decrease in stress when staffing events and an increase in each team member’s being able to communicate readily, even when working remotely. Discovering kinks and developing solutions is the key to the AmeriCorps program. The program’s flexibility and freedom sets the foundation to 'get things done.'"

–Kim Walker, AmeriCorps State

AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Monica Camacho

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them. 

"My role at the American Red Cross is in the Mass Care department, where I identify new locations for shelters and new vendors for emergency feeding. My most memorable AmeriCorps experience so far has been running a family assistance center for the relatives of the victims of a tragic bus accident in the Bronx.

One Saturday morning in March I received a phone call from Staffing, asking me to report to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and serve as the Mass Care Lead for the day. A bus had run off the highway and killed 15 passengers; now their relatives waited at OCME to learn the fate of their loved ones.

The Red Cross provided mental health counselors, interpreters, and food and beverages for the families and for the staff of the multiple city agencies. I was in charge of food, beverages and volunteers. I jumped head-first into the chaos of the day: I liaised with city officials, set up a canteen area with food and drinks, directed various groups of volunteers, coordinated with the rest of the Mass Care department, interacted with food vendors, and cleaned up at the end of the 12-hour shift.

More importantly, I witnessed people experiencing the worst day of their lives, but I also witnessed the compassion and professionalism with which counselors, volunteers and officials treated them. It was a terrible and beautiful thing to see. Had I stayed home and gone about my day normally, I would have likely wasted time on less meaningful activities, but I got to spend my day on something that mattered, and AmeriCorps made it happen."

–Monica Camacho, AmeriCorps State

AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Carmin Y. Sandoval

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them.

"I am the Red Cross Community Outreach Coordinator for the Bronx. This means I work directly with other nonprofits and government organizations to provide emergency preparedness events for adults, as well as Health & Safety programming for children. Since my position involves much direct connection with the community it is difficult to choose one experience. However, if I were to pinpoint one thing it would be the gratitude shown by the people I visit.

Many of the organizations I visit are not often offered or partake in preparedness programming because of their socio-economic status. On the flip-side, in this position I can extend the Red Cross’s programming reach and educate many people in preparedness, as well as increase community morale.

An example, I have presented the Ready New York preparedness program bilingually, in Spanish and English, in many communities. After many presentations I have had people thank me for presenting the information in their native tongue. In many of the evaluations I receive, the most frequent remark I see is thank you for “remembering us” or “concerning yourself with us.” It is the remarks of people who appreciate, if only for a short time, being showered with real attention and concern."

–Carmin Y. Sandoval, AmeriCorps State

AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Alphonse D. Ramsey II

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them. 

"A major part of the commitment to AmeriCorps is being prepared to get involved in any challenges presented and keeping in line with the AmeriCorps motto “Getting things done.” Sometimes this means getting familiar with concepts very quickly. Most of my experience prior to AmeriCorps was in training and risk management, but a portion of my service brought me into the arena of exercise development and delivery, one I was not familiar with. In order to be effective, I took every Red Cross class offered on exercise design and evaluation. In a short time, the exercise was completed and I accomplished many of the goals that were set. Sometimes getting things done means trying something unfamiliar and being willing to learn."

–Alphonse D. Ramsey II, Americorps State

AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Katherine Lorca

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them. 

My experience as an AmeriCorps VISTA member has been really great! I started at the Metro NY Red Cross in August, and I have already learned and accomplished so much. My main function at the Red Cross is recruitment. I review volunteer applications, interview volunteers, and train volunteers and employees at different workshops. Being part of the recruitment team allowed me the opportunity to help develop the new online on-boarding model. This was a great experience, because I helped build something from scratch that has turned out to be successful so far.

One experience I can truly say embodies being an AmeriCorps member is that I have managed 25 volunteers in the past 9 months and retained them in the organization. Through engagement and recognition I have also been able to increase the number of volunteers as well as retain them in the Red Cross. My main goal coming in to the Red Cross was to build a foundation of volunteers who are dedicated and qualified to do their jobs. I feel that with the new on-boarding model I have been able to accomplish that and so much more.

–Katherine Lorca, AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Christine Gares

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them. 

"As an AmeriCorps member at the Metro NY Red Cross I have had the opportunity to do many things. One of the most memorable occasions was being in Times Square for New Year’s Eve. I have dreamed of spending December 31st in Times Square from the day I first learned about the ball falling from its perch to ring in the New Year. I provided support via mass care distribution (feeding) to the security personnel at the event. Not only was it the ideal location to actually see the ball drop, I was also able to help the community."

–Christine Gares, AmeriCorps NPRC

AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Stephanie Stachow

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them. 

"When you join AmeriCorps you are told that this will be the one of the most difficult, but also one of the most rewarding years of your life. Since starting my year as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in the Metro NY Red Cross’s Youth Services Department, I’ve worked on more than 7 major projects with our 20 High School Red Cross Clubs.

But if I had to pick one event that really stood out, it would be our annual Let It Rock Benefit, a concert for youth volunteers, planned by youth volunteers. True to the AmeriCorps axiom, I couldn’t have even begun to imagine the months of planning it took make this event a reality. Every waking moment was consumed by training club leaders to recruit performers and sell tickets, working with youth volunteers to make musical note- and guitar-shaped decorations, and last-minute text messaging about cupcake donations and how to use a sound mixer. If one person tried to pull off this event, it would be absolutely impossible. Yet the night of the concert, as I watched our youth volunteers and guests wave their glow sticks in time to the drum beats and guitar riffs, all the sleepless nights were worth it. It takes a team to make a real difference and I’m glad to be part of the AmeriCorps and American Red Cross teams."

–Stephanie Stachow, AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps Week Volunteer Spotlight: Louqueta Cort

In honor of AmeriCorps Week 2011 we asked our own AmeriCorps members what their Red Cross experience has meant to them. 

"As an AmeriCorps member working with Disaster Response I help develop manuals, assist with volunteer management and help the department further develop some of the systems already in place. In order to complete these tasks I have had the opportunity to train as a responder while working closely with the response supervisors. At a recent 5-alarm fire in the Bronx I was able to play an integral part in registering clients while helping newer responders get acquainted with how things are run during a big job. This experience embodies being an AmeriCorps member because it shows that we are willing and able to help outside of our regular service at any time"

–Louqueta Cort, AmeriCorps NPRC