The American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina serves Greenville, Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, and Pickens Counties.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Take these actions now to help you and your loved ones get prepared

By Brian Scoles

As Ernesto approaches quickly, The Upstate Chapter wants you and your loved ones to be prepared. All it takes is a little time and following these three simple steps:

Get a Kit

Build a disaster supplies kit including water, non-perishable food, radio, flashlight and extra batteries for both, a first aid kit and necessary medications. Store important family documents (wills, passports, insurance policies, deeds, etc.) in a portable, waterproof and fireproof container as part of your kit.

Prepare supplies for pets and family members with specific needs.

Make a Plan

Make evacuation and communication plans.

Plan ahead for the possibility of becoming separated from your family and friends by choosing an out-of-town contact that each family or household member can call or email should a disaster occur.

Plan on using the Red Cross Safe and Well Website, accessible through www.redcross.org.

Be Informed

Talk to your family about the types of disasters that can happen in your community.

Follow the directions of emergency officials.

If you prepare for Ernesto, you will be better prepared for any emergency.

Upstate Red Cross Deploys Help for Ernesto, Urges Residents To Prepare Now

By Brian Scoles

With new possibilities for Tropical Storm Ernesto to upgrade back into a hurricane and progress along the Eastern seaboard, the Upstate Chapter urges residents to act now while there's time to prepare. Ernesto is anticipated to make landfall in Florida in the coming days; later this week, there is the potential for northeastern communities to be impacted by severe, dangerous weather in the form of high winds, flash floods and more. For those in the entire state of Florida as well as individuals and families along the Eastern seaboard from Gerogia to New England, taking three simple steps to prepare can make all the difference in staying safe: get a kit, make a plan and stay informed.

Individuals and families can never be too prepared. There is a possiblility that the storm will strengthen again as it is moves into open water just north of Cuba. The current track of the storm plots Ernesto's landfall in South Carolina near Charleston. However, the entire State of South Carolina may be affected to some degree by winds, rain, and possibly flooding.

Communities in Ernesto's path need to take action now to plan for potentially dangerous landfall. Continue to review your family communications plan, and check your disaster supplies kit while you have the opportunity.

As always, the Upstate Chapter is there for its communities. However, through its cadre of well trained staff and volunteers, we have an impact nationwide. Two volunteers from the Upstate have deployed to Orlando, Florida in anticipation of Ernesto's landfall and 10 more are on alert to be deployed wherever they are needed. Our volunteers will be responsible for feeding victims in shelters, at feeding sites and delivering meals in affected neighborhoods. They will also aid in sheltering victims and evacuees and providing counseling services as necessary.

If you have a desire to get involved in disaster relief and have an hands on impact with storm victims, contact the Upstate Chapter by calling (864) 271-8222.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Director of Emergency Services Deploys to El Paso

Posted by Brian Scoles

Selected by the national headquarters of the American Red Cross for her Spanish speaking ability and her understanding of the unique needs of disaster victims of diverse cultural backgrounds, Emergency Services Director of the Upstate Chapter, Christa Friddle, deploys today for two weeks to help the victims of flood ravaged El Paso, Texas.

Friddle will be performing in the function of Community Relations Liaison, a newly formed position within the National Disaster Resonse system, and will be tasked with several key responsibilities. While on location, Friddle will facilitate coordination and communication between the disaster relief operation, the hispanic community and the orgainzations that represent them and assist in the resolution of issues of race, language, and culture as they arise, and monitor the disaster operation to ensure quality service delivery--a vital role as the American Red Cross continually seeks to improve how it serves disaster victims across the United States.

We wish Christa well and look forward to hearing about her experiences when she returns.