Disaster Services Disaster Services provides immediate emergency assistance to families affected by disasters of all sizes and provides additional help if government-funded programs or family resources are inadequate or unavailable. The American Red Cross program is coordinated with public safety and emergency service agencies. Initially, assistance may be provided as mass care in the form of feeding, shelter, first aid, and supplementary medical care. Other immediate assistance includes distribution of personal care kits, provision of needed blood and blood products, and handling of welfare inquiries from concerned families outside the disaster area. As soon as possible, the American Red Cross will meet the emergency needs of individual families so they can resume normal living, and will refer them to government-funded resources for additional help. The organization serves as an advocate in assisting families to get supplemental help, when necessary. In the year 2005, the Disaster Action Team members from the Suffolk Chapter responded to 32 disasters and provided nearly $22,000 in emergency food, clothing, and shelter. Health & Safety Services Health and Safety Services teaches adults and children how to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. In Community First Aid and Safety, we teach you how to provide first aid to an accident victim, perform CPR on someone having a heart attack, and assist someone who is choking. We also offer classes in Water Safety, Lifeguarding, Babysitter’s Training, and HIV/AIDS education. In the year 2005, the Suffolk Chapter instructed 4,112 people in First Aid,CPR,swimming,Babysitting,Lifeguard training,and HIV/AIDS community education. Blood Services The Suffolk Chapter works closely with the Mid Atlantic Blood Region to conduct blood drives throughout sufolk. In the local area, the Red Cross needs 550 blood donors every day to meet demand. We need your help. Giving blood is an easy and safe way to save a life. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. Blood donors must be at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Donors need to present identification showing their social security number. In the year 2005, Blood Services in Suffolk collected over 1,630 units of blood at over 78 blood drives. Armed Forces Emergency Services Nobody ever said being in the armed services was going to be easy-for yourself or your family. Adjustments have to be made. Problems solved. Separations dealt with. Stresses and tensions resolved. The American Red Cross is uniquely equipped to provide an exclusive worldwide communications and support network that serves as a lifeline between military service members and their families. For the American soldier and his or her family, the Red Cross is the connection to home, relaying urgent information—a family crisis, a death in the family, a financial emergency, or a joyous birth. The Red Cross provides a shoulder to lean on for U.S. Military families every day, 24 hours a day, around the world. In the year 2005, the Suffolk Chapter’s AFES program provided emergency communications between 173 local families and military service members. Comments? Suggestions? redcross @ suffolkredcross . org © Copyright 2005, The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.