American Red Cross of the National Capital Area Prepares Volunteers Deploying Into the National Mall Area

Readers and Contributors of Neighbors Helping Neighbors deployed by American Red Cross for Presidental Inauguration.

"Fairfax, Va. (Jan. 16, 2009) – American Red Cross of the National Capital Area prepares volunteers from all Red Cross chapters in the region – assigned to work in the National Mall area – to check-in on Mon., Jan. 19 beginning at 7 a.m. and deploying into Washington, DC on buses from the Montgomery and Fairfax County offices by 8 p.m.

A majority of the check-ins will take place at the Montgomery County office, 2020 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Md. Contact Red Cross Public Affairs Lead, Kim Covington (202-437-7348 or covingtonk@redcrossnca.org) for media assistance.

Volunteers will also be checking in at the Fairfax County office, 8550 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax, Va. Contact Red Cross Public Affairs Lead, Kathy Thompson (240-375-9020 or
thompsonk@redcrossnca.org) for media assistance.

Many Red Cross volunteers have other assignments in locations throughout the region and will be checking in at the above offices throughout the day.

Red Cross Public Affairs Lead, Ryan Kaltenbaugh (703-609-7751 or rdkaltenbaugh@yahoo.com), will be on the scene working with Red Cross volunteers in the National Mall area.

More than 300 trained Red Cross volunteers will be on-hand and placed throughout the Washington, DC area providing assistance to local, state and federal authorities who are planning and coordinating the inaugural events.

Red Cross workers will be at mobile command posts working alongside DC government's command post on the National Mall. Red Cross is deploying over 30 two-person Red Cross Community Outreach "Go Teams" to provide public safety assistance throughout the National Mall area. Go Teams are trained in CPR and First Aid, and will communicate with first responders regarding assistance needed for those who may fall ill, become injured, people
who are negatively impacted by the cold temperature, and assist in locating aid stations. Go Teams will also assist with connecting lost persons by contacting local law enforcement to help locate families.

Red Cross inaugural services throughout the National Capital Region also include: mobile canteens with volunteers serving meals, snacks and drinks to fire and rescue workers, law enforcement and other first responders; volunteers stationed at the RFK Stadium Reception Center ready to provide assistance; a dozen Red Cross Liaison Officers located in Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) throughout the region; and also managing Red Cross Emergency
Response Vehicles (ERV) and three Red Cross Mobile Command Vehicles (MCV) positioned throughout the region.

During the inaugural events, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area is leading the Red Cross efforts and is partnering with American Red Cross National Headquarters in assisting local, state, federal agencies and other organizations in this large-scale event.

For the Presidential Inauguration activities, the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area is leading and coordinating the involvement of the four other Red Cross chapters in the National Capital Region. The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area serves as the Regional Chapter for the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, which consists of five Red Cross chapters in Alexandria, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Prince William and the National Capital Area, which includes District of Columbia, Montgomery County, Prince George’s
County and cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

For more information, contact Public Affairs at the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area’s Regional Disaster Coordination Center (RDCC) Phone: 703-584-8775 Fax: 703-573-8587
Email: eisevents@redcrossnca.org Web: www.redcrossnca.org
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Forget about giving a gift basket this holiday season! Give a real gift.

Give a friend or family member a certficate for a free CPR or First Aid Course.

Making Due With No Supplies

The following video is an annual event held in Davao City with a competition between the barangay responders. These volunteers are often

- self taught,
- self funded,
- self organized,

and make use of the limited resources they have on hand, at times without the support of their local barangay (town leadership).

Not only have all of them responded to emergencies in their communities, they also know how to have fun.

It was an honor to get to know these dedicated volunteers and true heroes. They are role models for others around the world.



Additional information about this competition can be found in an earlier posting at Competition Brings People Closer.

First Aid Today - Stay'n Alive

The following segment recently appeared on the Today Show.

It is a must watch episode and may just Save A Life of a friend, co-worker, or neighbor!



Additional information or classes are available at your local Red Cross Chapter.

In addition to having a first aid kit and learning these essential skills, as Matt says, "Support the Red Cross, contribute if you can". If you would like to contribute to the local Red Cross, please complete the following donation form.

Competition brings people closer together

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to participate in the 3rd Annual Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council first aid competition. It was an exciting experience to participate and become an honorary member of the council.


At the beginning of the program, I had the opportunity to address the audience.


Participants, groups of volunteers, compete at multiple stations.

For this annual event there were six teams from different barangay (districts) within the city. The teams do not necessarily have any formal training, but are really good at what they do.





There is a clear contrast between the barangay teams and many of our Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), which have formal training programs, but limited response. The barangay groups have limited formal training, self organized and often are the first on the scene to an incident.


Their volunteer response is part of their everyday life.


The following is a picture with all of the participants of this years program.



We would also like to introduce the world to my friends from the Silver Needles and all the other teams.


To get a true appreciation of this competition, take a look at the video from last years competition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV3v70VxwbM

For counties that have multiple CERT teams, you may consider having a similar competition between teams. This is also an excellent idea to implement with neighboring counties.

Many Organizations Represented at Local Parade

There were some recognizable people at the City of Fairfax July 4th parade.

Steve Willey – Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Instructor with Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Amy Tarte – Medical Reserve Corps and Health Department.

Brian Brendel – If you took ICS 300 or 400 locally, you should recognize him.

There were multiple Boy Scout troups who also marched in the parade.

And the many members of the City of Fairfax Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) who provided First Aid.