Red Cross: Top tips to stay safe this summer

It's officially summer and time to enjoy the great outdoors and warm weather. Whether you’re out on the water, grilling with family and friends or enjoying the great outdoors, the American Red Cross of Western New York has some tips to help keep the whole family safe.

“With what can sometimes be a short summer season, here in Western New York many of us enjoy spending time by the water, grilling with family and friends or enjoying recreational activities like camping and hiking in the great outdoors,” said Nick Bond, Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Western New York. “This summer, and all year round, the Red Cross wants you and your loved ones to be safe no matter what your plans include and offers steps that the whole family can follow to have a safe summer.” 

SWIMMING: Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge. Be “water smart” ─ build confidence in the water by learning to be safer, making good choices, learning to swim and knowing how to handle emergencies.

• Prevent unsupervised access to water, provide constant and active adult supervision, and know how to swim.Never
• Never swim alone – adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child. Swim in an area with lifeguards.
• Designate a “water watcher” whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
• Don’t just pack it, wear your life jacket — always on a boat and if you are in a situation beyond your skill level.
• Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on to it. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself.

GRILLING, FOOD SAFETY: Grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year.  Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Never grill indoors or in any enclosed area. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.

• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
• Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.
• Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.
• Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.  
• Separate uncooked meats, poultry and seafood from ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and desserts. Use separate plates and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.

CAMPING: Being prepared for emergencies is critical when you’re headed to an area with limited access to phone services and help. 

• If you are heading out to camp, or hike, wear layers of light-weight clothing, sunscreen and a hat.
• Pack a first aid kit with insect repellant, sunscreen and personal medications. A variety of first aid kits and emergency supplies are available at redcrossstore.org.
• Know the level of ability of your group and the environment around you. Plan to use hiking trails that are within your skill level.
• Share your plans, including where you are going and when you should be back, with a family member, neighbor or friend.
• Bring nutritious food items and plenty of water even if you don’t plan to stay overnight.
• Download the FREE Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the FREE Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

 For more summer safety tips on these and other activities, visit redcross.org/summersafety

Delivering help & hope: DAT volunteer plays Santa for family in need

“I always try to take it a little further if I can. Take that extra step.”

John Rudolph has taken on many roles as a volunteer with the American Red Cross of Western New York. Since joining in 2019, the former paramedic and volunteer firefighter has served as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) responder, a deputy director of operations during disaster response operations and now serves as regional program lead for the DAT team.

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Last December, after receiving a call for assistance following a home fire in Otsego County, he added one more to the list – Santa Claus.

Rudolph, along with his girlfriend Katie, have long played Santa and Mrs. Claus in an annual Christmas parade and also visit an area elementary school to meet with children ahead of the holiday. Halfway through the parade, Rudolph received a DAT call about a home fire that impacted a local family with two young children.

“Our goal with DAT is to respond within two hours of the request for assistance,” Rudolph explained. “So, we made arrangements to meet the family at a local McDonald’s immediately after the parade and initially, I had no idea that there were kids involved with the call. My beard was still dyed white and I still had my costume on. We were doing the intake, getting their information and you could tell they were just very affected by it. They were down and out knowing that Christmas was coming in a week and a half at that point.”

Every 8 minutes across the United States, DAT responders like John help to provide immediate emergency assistance to families in the wake of emergencies like home fires. Upon intake, families after often provided with blankets, comfort kits with hygiene items, and financial assistance to help provide temporary housing, food, clothing and more as needed. Specially trained Disaster Mental Health volunteers or Spiritual Care volunteers are also available to assist families in their recovery process while Red Cross casework team members help to connect families with resources to support them in the long-term recovery process.

But with Christmas just days away, Santa and fate stepped in.

“Each Christmas, my father asks us to donate to a give-a-tree instead of a gift for him. And I missed it.

This year, I was a day late donating. I’d gone to the local store, got a bunch of toys like jump ropes, glow-in-the-dark stars for kids’ ceilings and some toys that you figure would spread far and wide. I still had them in my car and so I grabbed them for the kids,” Rudolph said. “I asked if they wanted a photo with Santa, gave them the presents and both of them kind of lit up. They left spirits completely boosted up at that point. It wasn’t planned but it all came together that way.”

As for Rudolph, who called his volunteer role with DAT was a no-brainer, said playing Santa that day was just one of the many ways he and Red Cross volunteers like him deliver help and hope to those in some of their darkest moments.

“I really enjoy it. It feels good being able to do something like this, too. I’ve always heard of stories like that, but I always try to take it a little further if I can.”

Volunteers like John make up 90 percent of the American Red Cross workforce and embody its mission, making it possible for the Red Cross to help families in need every day. This National Volunteer Week, you're invited to put on a red vest to join the team. If you're interested in volunteering with John and the Disaster Action Team (DAT), or one of the many volunteer positions within the American Red Cross of Western New York visit our website.

Written by: Meg Rossman, Regional Communications Manager, American Red Cross of WNY

Lives Saved: Binghamton family escapes home fire days after Red Cross smoke alarm install

“If they hadn’t come, I couldn’t even imagine.”

For months, Cassandra Simmons had been prompted to install smoke alarms in the Binghamton home she shares with her husband, daughter and three grandchildren after a recent construction project.

“I had a hard time getting them where they needed to go and then I would see something else in the mail for the American Red Cross and so I thought let me give them a call.”

This past February a team of Red Cross volunteers as part of the Sound the Alarm Home Fire campaign visited Simmons’ home to install free smoke alarms throughout her home and provide lifesaving home fire safety education, including a two-minute escape plan in the event of a home fire.

“It brings me to tears every time. It was Thursday and then that Sunday, if we didn’t have the Red Cross come in here, I don’t think myself and my grandson would be here.”

That Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday. While her 8-year-old grandson was getting ready for a Super Bowl celebration, a fire broke out in the upstairs bathroom at the top of the stairs and adjacent to the children’s bedrooms.

“We’d already had a smoke alarm in the hallway, so when the man from the Red Cross put them up, he asked if we’d like one upstairs. When I asked ‘what would you do’ he said yes, because by the time the smoke reaches the alarm we already had, it might be too late to get out of the house,” Simmons explained.

Recounting that day, Simmons isn’t sure what made her ask the question of the Red Cross volunteer, but she is thankful she did.

“He was so right. If he hadn’t put that there, I wouldn’t have heard the smoke alarm until it was too late. There would have been no room for me to get down the stairs because the fire started along the back of the bathroom door. By the time that smoke would have reached downstairs, the upstairs would have been engulfed in flames.”

Simmons, her husband, grandson and 9-year-old granddaughter, who had been upstairs in her bedroom at the time of the fire, managed to safely escape the home and call 911. 

“I was scared, I was crying, I was cold,” Simmons explained. “We were standing outside and the Red Cross came and they were so nice. The gentleman from the Red Cross put a blanket around me. They gave us enough blankets for all of us, a care package with everything you can think of that you may need. They were just very kind. And they stayed in touch with us by calling us to make sure that we were OK and reaching out to the agencies that would be able to help us.”

Now four and a half months later, Simmons and her family are finally able to move back into the home they shared with a renewed appreciation for the little things, a greater desire to pay it forward and plans to help those in need, and some invaluable advice for all those Simmons encounters from here on out.

“Once it happens there’s no going back it’s too late,” Simmons said. “Everybody I know from now on will hear from me, ‘do you have a smoke alarm?’ Because if not, call this number. All it takes is a phone call.”

Since 2014, the Sound the Alarm Home Fire Safety campaign has helped to save lives and make homes safer locally and across the country. You can schedule your home fire safety visit, which includes the installation of free smoke alarms and home fire safety education including a two-minute escape plan year-round by clicking here.

Rochester Red Crosser's volunteer career spans 50 years, multiple continents

Born in Madrid, Spain, Maria Polo and her family moved to Colombia when she was around 9. She considers herself to be of Colombian culture and, before moving to America and becoming an American citizen, she called Colombia her home country.  Her father founded the Universidad Autonoma de Colombia in the Capital city of Bogota.  The university is still there and growing today.  This is where Maria started her service with the Red Cross that just recently reached the 50-year mark.  

As a young woman in her twenties, and a member of an educated upper-class family, she saw poverty and mistreatment around her and vowed to help wherever she could.  Raised in a family that believed the secret to one’s own inner peace was found by helping others and never asking for anything in return, Maria truly grasped this belief at a very young age.  She and her young daughter started volunteering at a nursing home in Bogota, Colombia.  Upon realizing the poor conditions and lack of resources at the facility, she was compelled to volunteer every Sunday to help the residents by providing music therapy, massage therapy and helping in any way she could.  She continued this volunteer effort for the Red Cross in her native country for five years, thus beginning her many years of service with the Red Cross that has spanned multiple continents. 

Maria moved on to serve for the International Red Cross and ended up serving on missions in 57 countries around the world.   The list includes, Ecuador, The Amazon rain forest, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Shanghai, Hong Kong, South Korea, Jeju Island, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, India, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, most countries in Europe and so many more!   Tsunamis, floods, civil unrest, medical missions and earthquakes are just a few of the types of deployments Ms. Polo has done over the years.  Whether its riding a motor bike an unknown amount of miles into the country to obtain rice to help feed a village of starving people, diving in dangerously swift water to help drowning victims, traveling two weeks on foot into the Amazon forest on a medical mission or getting a crash courses in suturing up patients during volunteer surgical missions in Central & South America’s, it’s clear that Maria has had quite an interesting and lively international volunteer career experience.  

She talks about how the missions aren’t easy and how when on them you don’t get special treatment - nor did she expect it,

“You just never know what to expect during these deployments, we just show up and help with

whatever is available at the time.  If they do not eat, we do not eat, if they sleep on the ground, we sleep on the ground.”  Her belief in helping others is so strong she hates to use the word sacrifice to describe giving up her time and vacations over the years to go on these missions. 

“If I say it’s a sacrifice then it means I do it to get something in return, and that’s not it, not the reason, it comes from inside, we need more people to get that!”

In between all the excitement of her international missions she has also volunteered in her own backyard over the years.   Not only has she been a volunteer for local crisis situations such as fires in the greater Rochester area, and other local Red Cross work, but she also volunteered for the Hispanic and Black Youth Leadership Programs in the Rochester area for almost 27 years.  She started volunteering for these organizations in 1994 working with the program director. The program had a mentoring element and covered topics such as diversity, equity & inclusion, financial literacy, conflict management, time management, resume building, leadership skills & development. To this day she has stories of people coming up to her and remembering her by name, thanking her for the guidance and knowledge they learned in these youth programs. She finds these to be very rewarding experiences, knowing that she played a small part in helping these individuals grow and develop into successful members of the very same community.

“Educating the people is what we need to do to make it better, knowledge isn’t always learned in the school.” This is one of the most important secrets to a better future, according to Polo.   

During this wild ride of a life she moved to Toronto, NYC, Boca Raton, North Carolina and finally settled in Rochester.   Maria had previously obtained her bachelor’s degree in computer science and spent several years working in the accounting field for the Caja Agraria Bank in Bogota, Colombia.  After moving to Rochester, she went to SUNY Brockport and earned her Bachelor’s in education and was an assistant Spanish teacher in the Rochester area. Maria has also obtained her certification in medical massage therapy.  She has overcome some major tragedies in her life in recent years as well, which just goes to prove how strong this woman truly is.  In 2017 she was in a terrible car accident and was struck by an on-coming car.  Suffering from a traumatic brain injury, among many other injuries, she was in a coma for over a month, and upon waking was unable to talk or walk.  She was told that her chances of walking and talking again were almost non-existent.  But shockingly enough, with the help of her family, and some friends made through her missions, she has beat those odds!  Not long after, in December 2021, tragedy struck again.  She had a house fire and lost everything.  Coming home from work early one day, she found her home filled with smoke.  Knowing her dogs were inside, Maria selflessly entered the home to save the animals, getting all three out to safety.  Unfortunately, most of her prized possessions from her many trips were lost in the fire.  Pictures, logs, keepsakes, etc. were gone.  This has made it difficult for her to keep track of her experiences and her past missions.  Fortunately, her son and daughter help her keep her memories alive.  She has told her children about her missions over the years “so many times that they roll their eyes when I start to talk about them!”. 

Today Maria can be found spending her time at one of the Rochester area blood donor centers volunteering as a Donor Ambassador.  She is also going back to school at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Osher Lifelong Learning Center to continue her education.  She is currently studying Medical Ethics, Topics in Modern Cognitive Science, Climate Change & Global Warming, and also has an interest in natural and alternative medicine, preventive medicine and mysteries of the mind.  You can usually find her at different parks in the area with her dogs enjoying the outdoors, and at the YMCA most mornings taking part in various exercise classes, and staying healthy and in shape, (she used to run marathons!)  

Over the years, Maria has had so many wonderful learning experiences and met so many people, the extreme gratitude for the life of service that she has lived is clearly evident when she recalls her Red Cross work.  The hundreds, if not thousands, of people with whom she has interacted are grateful for the energy, knowledge and compassion she has shared as well.

Jodi Zielinski, Communications Volunteer, American Red Cross of Western New York

Springing ahead? Don't forget to "Turn and Test"

Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 12, and the American Red Cross of Western New York encourages everyone to TURN your clocks forward one hour, and TEST your smoke alarms.

Did you know that having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half? Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster with Red Cross volunteers responding to an emergency every 8 minutes, on average. In the month of February alone, Red Cross of WNY Disaster Action Team (DAT) members provided immediate emergency assistance in the aftermath of home fires to 269 individuals across our region.

That’s why it’s critical to “Turn and Test” this weekend and take these lifesaving steps to keep your loved ones safe in the event of a home fire. 

·         Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.

·         Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. That’s because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Check the date of your smoke alarms and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

·         Practice your two-minute escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late. Include at least two ways to get out from every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows where to meet.

·         Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download our free Emergency app by searching for “American Red Cross” in app stores. 

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVING LIVES The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year and most of them are home fires. To help prevent fire-related deaths and injuries, the Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign with community partners in 2014 to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries.

Recently, with support from thousands of community partners, the campaign met its goal of installing 2.5 million free smoke alarms and making 1 million households safer across the country. So far, the Home Fire Campaign is credited with saving more than 1,583 lives in the U.S. Because home fires remain a daily threat and the campaign has made a lifesaving difference, the Red Cross will be continuing the program with community partners as part of its standard services across the country.

 

Giving the gift of time this holiday season

The holidays are a time for loved ones to gather, to share food and stories that inspire the holiday spirit; unfortunately, some find themselves faced with tragedy.  Thankfully the American Red Cross (ARC) and its surplus of volunteers are always there to lend a helping hand. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving then Christmas Eve.  Cooking equipment and decorations are involved in roughly 20% of these fires.  The ARC is no stranger to providing immediate relief for families displaced by misfortune.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Chuck Haupt, a retired photojournalist, and an American Red Cross Disaster Assistance Team (DAT) volunteer. 

Mr. Haupt remembers one specific fire, that happened in Binghamton, NY the day after Christmas. “It was a five-family apartment building, all of the families were displaced, I had to help”.  Once volunteers like Chuck arrive on a scene, they locate a warm, dry place to get the families inside out of the weather. On this particular day the local Loyal Order of the Moose opened its doors and welcomed the families in, while Chuck and the other volunteers were interviewing the families and tending to their immediate needs.   No sooner did Chuck get his interviews underway, he realized that one of the families did not speak English, “they were very skittish to meet with anyone”, he recalls.  They couldn’t understand that we were there to help, they considered that we might be there to deport them as some suspected they were not in the country legally.  They were assured that the Red Cross’s intent was simply to help! 

The Red Cross provides immediate aid to individuals during a disaster which can include funds for temporary housing, food, and clothing.  Comfort kits are also in huge demand.  These kits contain personal care items like toothpaste, a washcloth, and a comb.  Mental health referrals are also given on an as needed basis along with a directory on how to replace their driver’s license, insurance cards and the likes.

Mr. Haupt, why do you volunteer on holidays when you can be home, with your own family?  “It is simple, someone is hurting out there.  We are volunteers, this is what we signed up for, to get that call for help, whether it is a holiday or any other day that ends in a “y”, they need help”.  

“For me to take three hours away from my family on a holiday to help someone is the right thing to do, I can return to my home and be with my family, they have no home to return to”.  “It reassures us what the holidays are all about – and it’s not about the material things” Chuck stated.  He encourages people to help others this holiday season by donating or volunteering.  

For some people volunteering is about giving but for the likes of you, it is a way of living. Thank you, Mr. Haupt, for all you do!

To learn more about volunteering with the American Red Cross or to donate, visit RedCross.org.

Story by Holly Gassler, American Red Cross of Western New York communications volunteer

'It's the idea of helping': Responding to local disasters has become a holiday tradition for two unlikely friends

On paper, Chris Sadlocha and John Rudolph couldn’t be more different.

Sadlocha is a retired elementary school teacher of 40 years and Rudolph is a former volunteer firefighter and paramedic with an interest in amateur radio. But like many Red Cross volunteers, they have one very important thing in common.

“You know, we’re helpful people,” Sadlocha laughed.

Both drawn to the American Red Cross in the hopes of making a difference in the lives of those facing

emergencies at home in Delaware and Otsego Counties and across the country, the unlikely friends paired up for the first time as Disaster Action Team (DAT) members on New Year’s Eve just four years ago.

“Responding to fires and helping people wasn’t a far spur from what I used to do,” Rudolph explained. “Chris was there to help me. We went out on my first few calls together. He’s been a giant help there.”

As DAT members, those calls regularly consist of being some of the first on the scene in the wake of a disaster – primarily home fires. Red Cross DAT volunteers like Chris and John are often some of the first to meet with families in the wake of devastating home fires and provide support to those who just lost everything.

“We’re there to try and give them some peace of mind. Some funds for food, hotel, clothing, whatever they need to get them stable and figure out the rest. Being able to be there for them in that way may seem like a small thing, but when these people are going through this, it’s something huge.”

In the 2021 fiscal year, Red Cross volunteers responded to 936 local disasters in the Western New York region – the majority of which were home fires – and provided immediate emergency assistance to more than 1,600 families. For Red Crossers like Chris and John, it doesn’t matter the time or the day as they consider themselves always “on call.” In fact, this past Thanksgiving holiday, Chris volunteered his time to answer the call – driving more than an hour to assist a family impacted by a home fire in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

“What are the pieces that drive us? You know, it’s the idea of helping,” Sadlocha explained. “I’m in a warm house, I’ve got plans maybe to go work out in the garden, take a walk, do some reading. Meanwhile, those folks down there have lost their home. They’re experiencing one of the worst days of their lives and we can provide some relief for that. So, we’ll take that drive for that.”

But as they approach another anniversary of their first response together this New Years, they both admit they could also use some help. Over the years, the pair has added considerably to their DAT duties with Sadlocha taking on roles as a Regional Onboarding Lead among others, and Rudolph now assisting DAT responses virtually as a Duty Officer while training to serve as an Emergency Response Vehicle operator on local and national responses.

Always looking to add to the DAT roster and the Red Cross volunteer base in general, the duo is encouraging others to resolve to volunteer with the Red Cross in any capacity this coming new year.

“No matter what the job is, it’s the people working together,” said Rudolph. “I have found that even in the worst cases, people find a way to deal with it and make it as enjoyable as possible.

“Probably the strongest thing I could say to persuade somebody to join the Red Cross is you can really help and provide the relief to somebody that’s having the worst day of their life,” Sadlocha explained. “It’s highly rewarding. There are volunteer positions with the Red Cross that you don’t get in a whole bunch of other places.”

To learn more about available volunteer positions, including the Disaster Action Team, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday or contact RecruitWNY@redcross.org.

There's No Place Like Home: Protect Yours This Fire Prevention Week

There’s no place like home…

There’s no place like home and the sense of security that you feel surrounded by loved ones. Now imagine that all taken away from you in a matter of minutes. 

Firefighters face fierce flames on a daily basis, whether they are paid or volunteer, their duty is the same to protect the public. Every 8 minutes, the American Red Cross responds to a disaster-related incident – the majority of which are home fires. I had the pleasure of speaking with AmeriCorps member Kayla McCall, who serves the American Red Cross of Western New York in the way of fire safety, on this topic.

It’s especially important this Fire Prevention Week as the Red Cross seeks to prepare families against the threat of home fires, which claim seven lives each day in the United States. These disasters are most common now, in the cooler months, when we tend to spend more time inside.

McCall was extremely knowledgeable and shared with me that fire safety is more than just fires and flames. As a person who experienced a home fire herself some years ago, she is now tasked within the ARC to educate families on the topic of residential safety and preparedness, and she has trained well over 30 families! On average, only 26% of families have actually practiced a home fire escape plan with their immediate family.  Regardless, children tend to fall back on their training and “hide from the bad guy” in an attempt to remain safe.  Sadly, if they hide during a fire, they are more likely to perish in the home not due to the fire but instead because of the thick and toxic smoke associated with fires. Statistics say that if there is a fire safety plan in place it reduces panic during an emergency and improves the outcome.

Kayla also had some noteworthy tips to share with our readers: when installing carbon monoxide detectors, place them lower to the ground as the toxic air is heavy and it remains low.  Smoke detectors should be installed up higher since smoke rises quickly.  But the one that I think will hit close to home for most is to avoid daisy chaining! This is the connecting of two or more power strips into each other.  Daisy chaining accounts for a number of OSHA violations, but more importantly they contribute to a large number of electrical fires that could have easily been avoided.

You can help to keep your family safe by testing your smoke alarms, as well as practicing your two-minute escape drill. Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like and talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

·         Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.

·         Also check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced because components such as batteries can become less reliable. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.

·      In your escape plan, include at least two ways to exit every room in your home.

·       Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.

·        Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family.

Some additional fire safety takeaways that could help keep you and your loved ones stay safe also include keeping a fire extinguisher in your home and changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clocks with daylight savings time, every six months. For those who may be deaf or hard of hearing, install strobe light and bed-shaker alarms to help alert you or a loved one to a fire. And when practicing your escape plan, include any devices or people that help you to get out safely.

And in cases where you cannot afford to purchase a smoke alarm or are physically unable to install one, the American Red Cross of Western New York is there to help.

Home fires are our nation’s most common disaster. This Fire Prevention Week, help keep your family safe and join Kayla and the Red Cross in its mission to #EndHomeFires.

Story by Holly Gassler, American Red Cross of Western New York communications volunteer

'We Had Nothing Before You Showed Up': A First-Hand Account Of A Red Cross Disaster Volunteer

How the Red Cross Helps Our Neighbors

When my partner and I arrived on the scene, the family was sitting on the curb as soot-filled water ran past their feet. The man held onto his small daughter and the woman held their baby son as they watched their house disappear into smoke and memories.

As Red Cross responders, I went to talk with the family while my partner went to talk with the fire chief and get an idea of the extent of damage to the home. The man looked up as I approached, recognizing my bright red and white Red Cross gear. His daughter looked up too, with tear streaks still visible on her face. The father wasn’t that far from tears himself. You could tell he was holding it in to be strong for his family. I sat down next to him and said hi to his daughter, Sarah, who was suddenly shy and ducked beneath her father’s arm, still paying attention to what I had to say.

Apparently the parents were just about to get the kids to bed when they smelled smoke and went downstairs to find the kitchen engulfed. They escaped only with what they were wearing and a blanket around the sleeping baby. The father kept saying that he was grateful they had each other, and that is what counted, that the little family was together.

My partner returned and I excused myself to consult with her. The fire chief had confirmed that the house was a total loss and it was unlikely anything could be salvaged.

After a brief stop to my car for supplies, I rejoined the family on the curb. As my partner started the paperwork with the mother, I brought out a stuffed toy to give to the little girl. Her eyes lit up and then I gave her another little toy to keep safe for her baby brother. She clutched both tightly, almost as tightly as her father hugged her to his chest. When I gave the parents comfort kits for each of them, the father’s eyes finally overflowed.

“We had nothing before you showed up,” the wife said. “Now we have something again, even if it is only a comb and toothbrush.”

We put Red Cross blankets across their shoulders as we talked further with the family and arranged for them to stay a couple of nights in a local hotel with a debit card to cover food and clothing costs until they could make more long-term arrangements. They would not have to stay out in the cold.

The American Red Cross was there to help this family take their first steps toward recovery. We made sure, as we do for all our neighbors facing disaster, that they were safe and warm and had food and shelter to restart their lives. The American Red Cross is ready to help you every hour of every day.

Nationally, every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to an emergency. As in this case,  Red Cross volunteers are usually members of your own community, helping neighbors whenever they are needed. Last year alone, Red Cross volunteers across the Western New York region provided immediate emergency assistance to hundreds of individuals and families following nearly 900 disaster-related events, the majority of which were home fires.

In the days and weeks to come, residents here in Western New York and across the country will rely on the support of Red Cross volunteers once again, as weather experts predict a busy disaster season this year. That's why there is a critical need for volunteers to join the American Red Cross of Western New York in helping to prepare for emergencies here at home and across the nation. 

From shelter volunteers to health professionals and disaster response, we need volunteers to help make a difference when disaster strikes. 

If you're looking to make a difference here in the Western New York region, or across the country, I encourage you to sign up for available volunteer opportunities near you or contact our local chapter at RecruitWNY@redcross.org for more information.  

Kathleen Rourke is the Red Cross community volunteer leader in Tompkins County, Spiritual Care lead and Disaster Action Team member with more than 20 years of experience. 

National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week is April 18-24 and the American Red Cross of Western New York recognizes all of those volunteers who have continued to work tirelessly to help our neighbors in need during COVID-19.

In the Western New York region, more than 2,000 people volunteer with the Red Cross by responding to home fires and other disasters, supporting blood collections, providing emergency assistance to military families, and much more. These individuals are among the more than 300,000 volunteers who comprise more than 90% of the national Red Cross workforce.

“We are grateful for the dedication of our volunteers, whose support make a compassionate difference for our neighbors in need,” said Alan H. Turner, II, Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Western New York. “Their support during disasters and other emergencies has been more critical than ever, as families cope with increased anxiety and financial strains brought on by the pandemic.”

In the last year, American Red Cross of Western New York volunteers responded to 763 local disasters, providing relief to more than 3,800 people impacted by fire, floods and other emergencies; installed nearly 500 free smoke alarms making 1,775 homes safer; assisted more than 2,400 military families connecting them with critical services and support; trained more than 25,000 people in life-saving courses including CPR, First Aid, water safety and babysitting; collected more than 100,000 life-saving units of blood. 

The American Red Cross Western New York region is comprised of three chapters serving 26 counties – Western New York, Greater Rochester and the Southern Tier, as well as Clara Barton Chapter #1.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Become a Red Cross volunteer to help ensure families don’t face emergencies alone. Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to learn more, including about our most-needed volunteer positions.

• Blood donor ambassadors and transportation specialists: Blood donations are essential to the health of our communities, and blood donor ambassadors are a vital part of this work by welcoming visitors and taking their temperatures before entering Red Cross facilities and blood drives. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, training course participants, and Red Cross employees and volunteers. We also have a high-priority need for transportation specialists to help deliver blood from our facilities to local hospitals.

• Disaster Action Team: Most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes are local home fires, which can destroy nearly everything a family owns in a matter of minutes. Partnering with local fire departments, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers connect with families by video or phone call to provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.

• Volunteer from home (virtual positions): Help from the comfort of your own home through a wide range of virtual opportunities, including blood services, fundraising and development, and more.

You can also make a lifesaving difference by making a financial donation at redcross.org and, if you’re healthy and feeling well, making an appointment to donate blood at RedCrossBlood.org. Those who come to give by April 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice. Additional details are available at rcblood.org/Gift. 

"Smiles for Seth" Blood Drive Held in Eight-Year-Old's Memory

‘Smiles for Seth’ Fire Safety Event to Resume in 2021

On August 13, 2020, the American Red Cross hosted a blood drive in memory of Seth Creenan at Glendale Elementary School. In 2018, Seth was in third grade when he tragically passed away at eight years old due to a fire in his family’s Tonawanda home. 

Mike Zekas, Seth Creenan’s grandfather, standing in front of a mural at Glendale Elementary School (Seth is the child holding the sign in the mural).

“The school district played a huge part in our healing process, their outreach to us was amazing,” said Mike Zekas, Seth’s grandfather. 

Seth’s family agreed to honor him through a blood drive this year after plans for the second annual Smiles for Seth fire safety and prevention event were put on hold due to COVID-19. The blood drive was successful, collecting 24 units of blood, which can help save up to 72 lives. The need for blood is constant, even during a pandemic. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control.

The goal of the Smiles for Seth event is to work together with local fire departments and the Red Cross to increase awareness of the importance of fire safety among families -- and ultimately save lives. The first event was arranged in June 2019 with the help of Seth’s family, Glendale Elementary School administration and local  Red Cross leadership. 

The Red Cross provided assistance to Zekas’ family immediately following the October 2018 house fire by arranging hotel accommodations. Later on, when a local Red Cross board member learned that a fire safety event in Seth’s memory was in the works, they offered to incorporate the Sound the Alarm program.  

“The Red Cross has been on board with us through the entire process and they were just as disappointed as we are about not being able to do the event this year,” Zekas added. 

Zekas hopes the event will continue to help capture parents’ attention. “The fire departments will come to the school and often do a fire drill at the school and hand out pamphlets to take home, and a lot of the time the parents don't really pay attention,” said Zekas. “Statistics show that there are not a lot of school fires, there are a lot of fires at home.” 

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape?

Does your family have an escape plan?

Have you practiced that escape plan? 

Do you have smoke alarms? 

When is the last time you checked to make sure your smoke alarms are working? 

It is important to educate yourself, educate your family and be prepared.

“If we can prevent one family from going through what we have gone through, then we have done our job,” said Zekas

The stage was set for this year’s Smiles for Seth event to expand, with plans to involve each elementary school and all of the local fire companies after the Sweet Home district superintendent witnessed the impact Smiles for Seth had in 2019. Zekas is thankful for the continued support from the community, and hopes to resume the event in 2021 when community members can safely attend. 

In times of crisis, the Red Cross is fortunate to witness the best of humanity as people roll up a sleeve to help those in need. Because about 80% of blood donations are made at drives hosted by community organizations, schools and businesses, the Red Cross urgently needs the help of both blood donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients. Learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.  

Blood and platelet donors can make an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or by enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Story by: Nicole Mauro, American Red Cross