Monday, July 7, 2014

Brooklyn 4-alarm Fire (July 4, 2014)

Our disaster responders put their Fourth of July plans on hold to help families affected by a four-alarm fire in Brooklyn that tore through several floors in a 71-unit building. Red Cross team opened a reception center at P.S. 129 and provided food, water, emotional and health support. The following day, our caseworkers met with families to discuss their next steps in recovery.






Post by Ronnie G. Rigos.


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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Fun in the Sun: Water Safety and CPR Tips with Good Day New York

By Caroline Hroncich

Now that summer’s here, everyone wants to spend some time cooling off in the pool. But what would you do if that relaxing day were to take a turn for the worst? That’s exactly what Fox 5's Rosanna Scotto and Greg Kelly asked American Red Cross representatives Diana Price and Lipica Shah on a June 27 segment of Good Day New York. Amidst a lot of laughter, some important tips were shared about how to stay safe this summer, and possibly save a life. Click here to watch the segment.


Following the segment, we asked Diana Price, Red Cross aquatics specialist, a few more questions about water safety, CPR and her experience on the "set" of Good Day New York. 

What are some helpful tips people need to know about how to stay safe in and around the water this summer?
Diana: The most important thing is to swim in a supervised area. It’s also important for parents to keep a close eye on their children, whether there is a lifeguard present or not. Make sure you have safety equipment and a phone around your home pool. When the pool is not being used keep fences up, and have alarms to notify you if someone falls in. Another good tip is to remove any items that would be attractive to a young child, like a toy, from the pool. So the child doesn't accidentally fall in the water. Vigilance is the most important thing.

How can someone become CPR certified?
Diana: Take an American Red Cross class. People can go to www.redcross.org, put in a zip code and find classes in their area.

If someone’s not CPR-certified, what can they do to help in a situation where someone is unconscious or not breathing?
Diana: If someone not breathing, even if you are CPR-certified, the first thing to do is to call 911 to get help to you as quickly as possible. If someone is not CPR certified, they can do the ‘hands-only compressions’ that Lipica talks about in the clip. But the most important thing is to call 911, and get advanced care as quickly as possible. The most important equipment you can have near any kind of water is always a phone, so if you need to call 911 you can easily do that.

What was the best part about taking part in the Good Day New York water safety segment?
Diana: Being given the opportunity to explain water competency. It’s such an important skill; it’s not just about being able to jump in the water, you have to be able to jump in the pool, bring yourself up to the surface, tread water, float on your back and swim at least 25 yards. That’s how you know that you’re water competent. And remember, even though you may be deep water safe, you should still never swim in an unsupervised area. 

Thanks to Diana and Lipica for their excellent work on this segment. For more information about CPR training or tips on how to stay safe this summer, visit us online.
 

L to R: Diana Price and Lipica Shah





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Monday, June 30, 2014

In Case You Missed It

Red Crossers at the scene of Brooklyn fire on Saturday
(Picture: Rena Silverman)
Upcoming Events

  • The Fourth of July is this Friday. Check out our safety tips to ensure a safe long weekend for you and your loved ones!

Weekend Roundup

  • Disaster responder Paul Allright led a team to Ashford Street, Brooklyn, on Saturday and assisted families affected by a fire in a six-story apartment building. The team provided housing assistance to one household. 
  • Patrick DeOssie led a disaster response team to Somers Street, Brooklyn, on Saturday to help families displaced by a fire in a three-story apartment building. Red Crossers provided housing assistance to six households (6 adults/1 child). Five of the six affected families received financial help as well.  
  • A fire broke out on Teller Avenue in the Bronx. Red Cross responders arrived at the scene and assisted five families of five adults and three children; three households (3 adults/3 children) received temporary housing; all received financial assistance.

Last Week in Review

  • On Thursday, Red Cross and Visiting Nurse Service of New York hosted a post-Sandy distress response workshop at the Brighton Beach Library in Brooklyn. Attendees listened to licensed clinicians as they discussed common reactions and symptoms experienced by people exposed to a single-disaster event such as Superstorm Sandy.
  • Also on Thursday, Red Crossers gathered at New York City headquarters, at the Greenwich, Conn., training room, the Hawthorne, New York, training room, and the Mineola, Long Island, board room to cheer on the advance of U.S. Men's National Soccer Team to the next round in FIFA World Cup.
  • Friday, Red Cross instructors appeared on FOX 5's Friday Good Day NY at 9:10 am, discussing water safety and CPR.

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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Sumaiyia Chowdhury: Volunteer in Training

Sumaiyia Chowdhury and John McPartland
by Alice Ding

Earlier this spring, Sumaiyia Chowdhury, a junior majoring in biology at St. John’s University in Queens, began training to become an American Red Cross disaster responder. Her introduction to disaster response was to “ride along” to a house fire.

A ride-along, or a trip into the field with a seasoned responder, is a great opportunity, especially for new volunteers like Chowdhury, to get a taste of the work of the Red Cross.

Volunteer History

Chowdhury started volunteering in high school with Key Club International, raising money for UNICEF. At St. John’s, her passion for giving back to the community strengthened when she became involved with Habitat for Humanity during her sophomore year, helping build new houses for those in need.

Chowdhury’s involvement with St. John’s Habitat for Humanity Club piqued her interest in joining the Red Cross and starting a Red Cross Club at St. John’s. “I want to make sure I make good use of my time,” Chowdhury said. “Ever since I started volunteering regularly, my life has changed so much that now, if I don’t volunteer, I feel weird.” 

Volunteering Today

Before heading into the field on her ride-along, Chowdhury’s Red Cross mentor, John McPartland, acquainted her with a responder’s basic responsibilities. For example, Chowdhury learned that responders make sure their Red Cross van is stocked with food, drinks, comfort kits and other basic necessities before leaving for a disaster scene. 

She learned from McPartland that the key is to be warm, welcoming and compassionate to those affected by disaster. 

When describing her experience in the field, Chowdhury had only positive comments. “I feel honored to contribute to the Red Cross. It’s interesting to meet different people and know how to react to different situations,” Chowdhury said.

Volunteering Tomorrow

Chowdhury added that although St. John’s has many community service clubs, none covers disaster relief, and a Red Cross club on campus would be unique. With a strong community service atmosphere on campus, Chowdhury believes the club can be a huge success.

Over this summer, Chowdhury will continue her Red Cross training. She says this will help her better prepare to start a Red Cross Club at St. John’s in the fall.

“What the Red Cross does is just amazing,” Chowdhury said. “They help so many people around the world. I’m excited to be more involved this summer and next fall.” 

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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

New York Times: Nonprofits & Case Managers Work Together Toward Progress After Sandy

In a recent New York Times article, Reporter Liz Robbins details how nonprofits, including the American Red Cross, are still working together to help people affected by Superstorm Sandy and the critical role disaster case managers are playing in advocacy and support for those individuals.

In the article, Robbins highlights the work of a Red Cross disaster case manager advocating on behalf of a woman in her 90s still recovering from Sandy many months after the storm. Red Cross case managers, like the one mentioned, are working hard every day to provide compassionate case management assistance to people whose homes were damaged by Sandy. That assistance includes working with residents to develop recovery plans that outline ongoing disaster-related needs (repair, health, emotional, and/or financial) and helping people navigate community-based services that can address these needs.

The Auer family’s experience illustrates the positive impact that case management can have on a family working to meet its recovery goals. On June 11, the Auers celebrated returning to their Staten Island home, which had been destroyed by Sandy. Chris Losavio, Red Cross disaster case manager, worked closely with the family, guiding them through rebuilding processes with nonprofit partners, helping them access financial assistance to meet needs for basic household items like furniture and appliances, and even organizing Red Cross volunteers to help install flooring, windows, and trim in the home so that the family could return.

“When I met Chris he said, ‘I’m not letting you go until we get things going.’ If it wasn’t for Chris, I would not be home because he got the ball rolling,” Laura Auer said.

Chris Losavio, Red Cross case manager, helped the Auer family of Staten Island navigate the many recovery resources necessary to get them back home after Sandy.

The Red Cross is one of many agencies that assists Sandy-affected residents with case management resources. In New York State, the primary provider of this support is the New York State Disaster Case Management Program. If you or a loved one is affected by Sandy and are in need of case management assistance, call the New York State Disaster Case Management referral line at 1-855-258-0483.

In addition to case management, thanks to generous donations from across the country, the American Red Cross is proud to have funded more than 80 community-based organizations that are rebuilding homes, communities and lives.

Josh Lockwood, CEO, American Red Cross Greater New York Region, speaks at a press conference on July 2, 2013, announcing nearly $3 million in Red Cross funding for the New York City Unmet Needs Roundtable.

To date, the Red Cross has provided nearly $88 million in grant funding to non-profit partners active in the recovery from Sandy throughout eight states. The Red Cross is the largest single funder of Unmet Needs Roundtables across New York State,providing nearly $3 million to the New York City Unmet Needs Roundtable, managed by New York Disaster Interfaith Services, and giving $1 million to the Health and Welfare Council on Long Island for the Long Island Unmet Needs Roundtable. The Red Cross also provided funding to other groups listed in Robbins’ article including: United Methodist Committee on Relief, The Salvation Army, Gerritsen Beach Long Term Recovery Project, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, World Cares Center, Shorefront Y, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation.






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Monday, June 23, 2014

In Case You Missed It

Comfort Kit & Red Cross Blanket for our Yonkers Kids
(Picture: Caroline C. Sherwin)
Upcoming Events
  • Visiting Nurse Service of New York Disaster Distress Response Program: Workshop
    Licensed clinicians will be present to educate attendees on the common reactions and symptoms experienced by people who've been exposed to a single disaster event such as Superstorm Sandy. The workshop will take place at the Brighton Beach Public Library in Brooklyn on June 26 from 2-3 p.m. For more information, please contact Disaster Distress Response Program at (718)-888-6955.
Weekend Roundup

  • Our Metro New York North team assisted eight families (estimated 14 adults/16 children, a rabbit, a bird and a cat) on Saturday morning at the fire scene of a multi-family home in Yonkers. Volunteers met with four families at a temporary reception center, opened with the help of the Yonkers OEM. Click here for more details and pictures.
  • The Red Cross provided disaster responder training to our volunteers. Watch the video above to see what it takes to become a volunteer disaster responder.
  • Summer is here and it's time to go swimming! Read these water safety tips provided by the Red Cross to better prepare yourself and loved ones for a fun time at the pool and beach.
  • The Bayside High School Red Cross Club traveled to Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. at the beginning of June to participate in the International Humanitarian Law Youth Leadership Summit. Read the Queen's Chronicle article to find out more about the students' thoughts and experience on their trip to Washington, D.C.
  • The Red Cross Volunteer Medical Spotter Team lent their support to the NY Road Runners 10k marathon in Queens on Sunday. 
Team Red Cross at NYRR Queens 10K
(Picture: ARC Gold Pro Team)

Last Week in Review


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Monday, June 16, 2014

AECOM Sponsored Blood Drive at Grand Central Terminal

On June 12, the Red Cross hosted the third annual blood drive in Grand Central Vanderbilt Hall with support from our partner, AECOM. The blood drive started at 8 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. Here is some social media highlights from the event.












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