May 16, 2014 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Seniors throughout Greene County are learning to “Be Red Cross Ready” during May when local senior centers host the popular disaster preparedness program in partnership with Community Action Southwest and The United Way of Greene County.

The program kicked off with classes Bobtown, West Greene, Mt. Morris and Jefferson. Classes will be Tuesday in Waynesburg at the Waynesburg Senior Center, 1505 Morris Street (upper level) and Wednesday in Carmichaels at Carmichaels Senior Center, 100 Nemacolin Road.

The “Be Red Cross Ready” programs are free, last for 90 minutes and are recommended for seniors, age 55-plus. Each senior center has limited seating. Registration is required. All classes start at 11 a.m. and participants are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m.

“With 21 participants, the Bobtown class was a great success and shows the interest people have in preparedness,” said Jennifer Bailey, regional preparedness and resilience specialist for the Red Cross, Western Pennsylvania Region. “This is valuable training, and we would like to see as many people as possible attend the class.”

Mike Shimek, a Waynesburg resident and a new Red Cross volunteer, feels the training is a must. “Everyone should take a ‘Be Red Cross Ready’ class,” he said. “You just don’t know when you will need it.”

Red Cross developed the program in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign to teach people how to be prepared in the event of a disaster or other emergency. Based on a simple three-step process, participants are taught to Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed.

“Disasters and other emergencies can happen at any time,” said Betsy Myers, disaster program specialist for the Southwestern PA Chapter of the American Red Cross covering Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties. “These simple steps can help anyone be prepared by planning ahead.”

• “Get a Kit” – The Red Cross recommends at least three days of supplies in an easy-to-carry evacuation kit, with additional supplies on hand. Suggested items include water, food, flashlight, first aid kit, medications if needed, radio, tools and extra clothing, among others. A smaller version of the kit is also recommended for your vehicle.

• “Make a Plan” – Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to a disaster. Talk about potential emergency situations with family members. Agree on responsibilities for each family member and plan to work together as a team. Choose two places to meet after a disaster such as outside your home and a place away from your neighborhood. Don’t forget to include pets in your plans.

• “Be Informed” – Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work or play. These events could vary from those affecting only you and your family, like a home fire or medical emergency, to those affecting your entire community, like a flood or severe storm. Find out how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get important information, whether through local radio, TV or weather radio stations.

For more information, call Betsy Myers at 412-263-3100.