Will your family be ready when disaster strikes?
The American Red Cross is always there with emergency relief in the aftermath of disasters. But, just as importantly, we work in communities every day teaching people the skills they need to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies and how to save lives.

ARCNENY encourages people to develop emergency response plans for their homes, workplaces and schools, so that they know how to respond to any emergency that might occur.

ARCNENY offers a free presentation called Be Red Cross Ready. This brief, free presentation is conducted for community groups, church groups, employees, and anyone who wants to learn how to be prepared.  Learn what you can do to be ready for the unexpected before it happens.

For more information on hosting a free Be Red Cross Ready presentation at your organization, please contact Erica Streun, Community Preparedness Coordinator, at (518) 458-8111 ext. 5122 or via e-mail.      

There are simple, but very effective steps all of us can take to prepare for the unexpected:

• Create an emergency response plan. Establish a family contact person outside your area and decide in advance where your family will go in an emergency.
• Talk to your children´s schools. If you have school-age children, ensure that their schools have your current caregiver contact information and that you know the schools´ emergency release plan.
• Ask your employer about the disaster plan for your workplace. Make sure you know and practice all emergency response procedures at your workplace.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit. Include a first aid kit, essential medications, canned food, can opener, water (three gallons per person), protective clothing, bedding, radio, flashlight, extra batteries and any special needs items.
• Learn basic first aid. Enroll in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. Red Cross courses prepare millions of people to prevent and respond to emergencies every year.