Inyo County, approximately 170 miles north of Los Angeles, is a part of the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles service delivery area. The chapter has provided training in Inyo County which as develop a Disaster Action Team capable of responding to local emergencies. In addition, the Red Cross has shelter trailers containing relief supplies, including cots, blankets, comfort kits in the event that disaster shelters need to be opened.

The Red Cross response is coordinated by Jean Dickinson, Director of the Inyo county Department of Health and Human Services along with Ted Metz, a volunteer Disaster Action Team leader from Bishop who initiated Red Cross relief efforts, along with local volunteers.

Volunteer Patricia MacNeil, Los Angeles chapter government liaison manager, is on the scene in Independence, along with volunteers Linda Wright and Peter Kohn, who are meeting with displaced residents to provide assistance with immediate needs — including food, clothing and temporary housing.

July 12, 2008 — Staff member Jerry Washington is the second person from the Los Angeles chapter assisting with the American Red Cross wildfire relief efforts in Northern California. Wildfires have forced 10,000 people to abandon their homes in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, the largest fire evacuation in the state this year. Volunteer Michael Abramson recently returned from Oroville, California, where he assisted in feeding fire evacuees at the Spring Valley School.

The American Red Cross is managing seven shelters in Northern California to assist those affected by the wildfires, providing food, drinks and a safe place to rest for those evacuating their homes.

Meanwhile, chapter relief workers continue to assist disaster-weary residents in the Midwest who are recovering from devastating tornadoes and floods that destroyed roughly 4,000 homes and damaged thousands more.

Since early June, 14 relief workers from the Los Angeles chapter have taken part in Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri, aiding families unable to return home or preparing a long-term plan if going home is no longer an option. To date, the American Red Cross has opened 126 shelters in the Midwest and more than 1 million meals and snacks have been served.

The Los Angeles relief workers, volunteering for two to three weeks, have helped with all aspects of emergency disaster operations, providing families with safe shelter, warm meals, comfort, clean-up kits, information and other assistance, as well as helping assess the full scope of flooding damage.

The High Cost of Helping
Since April 1, the American Red Cross has responded to 36 large disasters that have destroyed homes and uprooted lives across our country—including severe flooding, tornadoes, and wildfires. It is anticipated that the Red Cross will spend more than $30 million to provide relief, and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is depleted. The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to act immediately, when help is needed most. The Red Cross depends on the voluntary contributions of the American people to replenish this fund so that it may continue to provide the unique and vital services Americans depend on in times of crisis. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org

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photo: Los Angeles Red Cross volunteer Michael Abramson (far right) and other Red Cross volunteers prepare food for evacuees of Northern California wildfires.

Forgoing Fourth of July barbeques and fireworks displays, six Los Angeles Red Cross disaster volunteers spent their holiday assisting eight people forced to flee their Las Virgenes mobile homes because of fire.

This incident was one of five home fires the chapter responded to during the first week of July. In that one week alone, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles provided $13,000 in immediate assistance for food and clothing, hotel stays and household items to assist nearly 40 people — 26 adults and 13 children.

On July 4 in Las Virgenes near Malibu Creek State Park, the mobile home fire quickly spread to the brush nearby igniting a 25-acre blaze. Therefore, in addition to helping the mobile home residents, the Red Cross brought a canteen truck and provided snacks and drinks to the more than 200 firefighters battling the blaze.

Thanks to the following disaster volunteers who responded to the 4th of July incident: Kristin Ulrich, Mike Stajura, Joan and Ruth Burke, Kevin McKail and Jennifer Jones.

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Photo: Los Angeles Red Cross volunteer Kristin Ulrich responded to the mobile home fires in Las Virgenes on the 4th of July.

More than 150 people, including Los Angeles Chief of Police William Bratton, celebrated “The Spirit of Partnerships” at the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles’ 92nd Annual Meeting on June 27 at The California Endowment.

Edmond Lelo, executive vice president and area manager of Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Group in the Greater Los Angeles region, was re-elected chapter chairman, and Peter O’Keefe, David Fuhrman, and Christine Neal were elected vice chairs. Gary Campanella and Jeff Sakaguchi were elected secretary and treasurer, respectively.

The following board members were elected to a three-year term: Wendy Marlett, Chris Brandt, John Packwood, Ellis Stanley, Peter O’Keefe, Edmond Lelo, Jeff Sakaguchi, and Csaba Takach. Christine Neal, Kirk Nelson, Rene Mortensen and Frank Bell were elected to a one-year term.

Special guest Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton talked about the importance of community organizations and individuals working together to solve the city’s problems. Guest speaker Jim Featherstone, general manager of the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department (and previously a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), discussed the important relationship between the LAFD and the Red Cross. As a firefighter, he witnessed first-hand how the Red Cross’ assistance makes all the difference to a disaster victim’s recovery and self respect.

Featherstone also accepted the Spirit of Partnership award on behalf of the City for its critical assistance in helping the Red Cross secure a Homeland Security Grant and for assisting the Red Cross with its plan to distribute containers with disaster supplies throughout the city.

Other recipients of the partnership awards included the County of Los Angeles, which partnered with the Red Cross to provide disaster preparedness training to all of its employees; June Loo of the Salvation Army and the Emergency Network of Los Angeles; and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, a partner with the Red Cross since 1968. Super Estrella 101.7 received the Media Award for working with the Red Cross to raise funds for international disaster victims following the major earthquake in Peru and flooding in Mexico.

Also helping the chapter celebrate its 92nd annual meeting were George Elsey, past president of the national American Red Cross from 1970 to 1983 and an advisor to Presidents Truman and Roosevelt; past Los Angeles chapter CEO James Haigwood; as well as numerous Red Cross chapter executives from throughout Southern California.

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Photo: Los Angeles Chief of Police William Bratton (center) celebrates with Edmond Lelo (left), re-elected chapter chair, and Paul Schulz, chapter CEO, at the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles’ 92nd Annual Meeting.

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees, but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses.

Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if untreated. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits, or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.

Heat-Related Illness Is Preventable. Download ABCs of a Safe Summer Heat Safety tips:
Heat Safety Tips (spanish)
Heat Safety Tips (english)

The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles offers the following tips for staying cool and safe:

Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.

Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.

Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.

Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.

Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is crucial to know what to do if an emergency situation arises. Help can’t always wait for advanced medical personnel to arrive. Red Cross First Aid training gives individuals the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide basic care for injuries and sudden illness.

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.

Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—sometimes as high as 1050 F.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.

Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

To see more pictures from the affected areas, visit http://www.jeanettecita.com/

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June 20, 2008 — More than a dozen American Red Cross workers from the Greater Los Angeles chapter have joined the 2,200 Red Cross workers from all across the nation in providing disaster relief to people in the Midwest hit hard by a series of tornadoes and severe flooding. The Los Angeles staff and volunteers are working in various capacities at Red Cross shelters and in the field in Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri for a period of two to three weeks.

Thousands of people are in Red Cross emergency shelters and more than 190,000 meals and snacks have been served. The Red Cross is also supplying vast amounts of clean-up supplies

The following Los Angeles Emergency and Disaster Response volunteers and staff members are assisting in Iowa helping disaster victims: Robert Buhrow and Myrna Specktor– Disaster Mental Health; Christina Jurado, and Jerome Thierry— Mass Care Sheltering; Kelly Mulock, Staff Support; Nancy Carrillo, Public Information Officer; and Marjie Iacovetti, Client Casework; Lisa Dungan, Client Casework; Dick Thorpe, Mass Care Feeding and Red Godfrey.

In addition, Jennifer Bailey and Corey Eide are working at Red Cross operations in Wisconsin and Michael Kleiner, Emergency and Disaster Response Director, is in Missouri. The Red Cross is also providing disaster assistance in Nebraska, Indiana, West Virginia and Kansas.

The American Red Cross anticipates spending at least $15 million as it moves forward with relief efforts. Many companies and individuals have stepped in to help, including Wells Fargo, which is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help with recovery efforts in Iowa and Wisconsin.
In order to quickly respond to anyone with disaster-caused needs, the Red Cross must have money available immediately. This emergency resource is provided by the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. To learn how to help, please visit www.redcross.org. 

The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles is dedicated to helping make families and communities safer. A volunteer-led humanitarian service organization, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles responds to an average of 10 disasters a week in 36 cities, including Los Angeles. The Red Cross provides relief for victims of house and apartment fires, earthquakes, floods, hazardous material spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural or man-made disasters – 24 hours a day. Last year the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles trained nearly 120,000 people in vital life-saving skills while providing direct health services to more than 100,000 people. Everyday, local Red Cross volunteers strive to make Los Angeles a safer and stronger community for all.

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Photo: Red Cross worker Nancy Carrillo from the Greater Los Angeles chapter assists sandbagging efforts in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (photo by Marty Robey)

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