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.

I am extremely grateful for my First Aid and CPR training from the American Red Cross

By Catherine Lague, Greater New York Red Cross Assistant Director, Outreach and Preparedness

The first Sunday in July, I was trying to escaping the summer heat by watching movies in my air-conditioned living room. To complete my lazy summer afternoon, I was snacking on some watermelon. My pint-sized pooch, Lola, loves fruit, and, as a spoiled pet, she occasionally gets a bite (or two!).

Unable to resist her charms, I dropped a piece of watermelon in her bowl. She scurried over to enjoy her treat while I resumed watching a movie from the couch. Lola started heading back to the couch when as usual she decided to double-check her bowl for missed treats.

After ensuring that she got every morsel, Lola meandered back to the couch and stared at me. I motioned her to jump up onto the couch, but she just sat there staring. I called her repeatedly when finally she went to the corner of the room, where she continued staring unresponsively.

Getting nervous, I went over to pet her while cooing her name. Still unresponsive, she stared down. As I petted her, I noticed her tummy was rock hard. Immediately, I checked her breathing with my ear to her snout hoping to hear her breath and feel it on my cheek. There was nothing.

Realizing that she was choking and already a few minutes had passed, I had to act quickly. Hoisting the little dog’s hind legs in the air and shaking her, I hoped to use gravity to dislodge the food. Nothing. I picked Lola up upside down. Still nothing. Slightly panicked, I put the little dog down, leaned her over, and gave a few rapid hits between her shoulder blades while fishing for an object in her throat. Finally, Lola coughed up the watermelon piece and began breathing normally.

With the worst over, I began shaking while gratefully hugging my little dog for a few moments. Keeping Lola in sight, I called the local 24-hour emergency veterinarian. They advised me to keep an eye on her and not to feed her large amounts of solid food in case her throat was swollen.

Almost immediately after the incident, Lola returned to her normal self and even begged for more watermelon. I meanwhile have remained cautious and extremely grateful to still have my pooch. I have taken extra care to review the lessons from Pet First Aid and save the 24-hour veterinarian’s phone number. Luckily, my actions mirrored official recommendations except for a few small details.

I’ve also shared Lola’s story to encourage friends and family to prepare to help their pets in an emergency.