by Deana Mesa, Communication and Marketing Volunteer

Michela Bestwick and Soki Taing, members of the UCLA Red Cross Club, participate in the Great California ShakeOut at Bruin Plaza on Oct. 15.

Finding college students who are passionate about emergency preparedness is no easy feat. However, the UCLA Red Cross Club is quickly turning apathy into action. The 24 members of the UCLA Red Cross Club are urging their fellow Bruins to learn CPR, make a disaster kit and educate themselves in case of an emergency.

Just this year, the UCLA Red Cross club, along with Red Cross AmeriCorps members, trained 75 UCLA resident advisors in CPR/First Aid and Community Disaster Education. (Resident Advisors are trained peer leaders who oversee students living in the dormitories.)  Additionally, the club has set up booths at four preparedness fairs where they educated attendees and sold Red Cross disaster supplies. UCLA’s administration is strongly advocating that all students have disaster kits and the Red Cross club is there to assist them every step of the way.

Bee Kong, Volunteer Manager says, “These students are so knowledgeable and dedicated to training not only UCLA students, but faculty and staff. They truly understand the importance of preparedness.”