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American Red Cross Offers Tools for Businesses to Meet Challenges

SB Informer
Friday, November 3, 2006; 02:11 AM

With more than a month to go before the official start of winter, parts of the nation are already experiencing paralyzing weather. For many businesses, the weight of prolonged harsh weather coupled with an unexpected emergency can send a sunny business forecast cascading into darkness. The American Red Cross, known for showing individuals how to stay safe, wants the business community to know there is information available to keep companies operating during the toughest times.

Red Cross chapters across the country work with local business communities to help keep employees safe and provide information to keep companies up and running. While much of the work is done in the areas of first aid and CPR/AED training, another vital product the Red Cross offers is the "Guide to Business Continuity Planning" CD-ROM. Companies can learn how to plan for and address safety issues; how to communicate critical information to public and private agencies; ways to lessen business stoppages; and information on how to rebound if there is a service interruption. The guide is a resourceful tool that enables businesses to quickly adjust their continuity plan when suddenly faced with urgent circumstances.

"The Red Cross wants everyone to 'Be Red Cross Ready;' and that means you should get a kit, make a plan and be informed at home and also at the office," said Scott Conner, vice president, preparedness and health and safety services. "Businesses know to turn to us for health and safety training. They should also remember the Red Cross can help businesses prepare for disasters and emergencies in order to minimize interruption to their business and their customers."

Once Business Continuity Planning is underway, the next step is making sure everyone in the company has what they need in order to respond and cope during an emergency. Gift baskets and store cards are fun to get during the holidays; but if there is ever an emergency, employees will greatly appreciate having received the gift of safety. Consider giving each employee an Emergency Preparedness Kit or Red Cross Safety Tube as a present. The kits and tubes come with much needed supplies -- such as food, water, first aid and other necessities -- that can help everyone in the office in case of an emergency.

For a more personal touch, have the kits and tubes customized with a company logo and add comfort items to each kit like the employee's favorite snacks, puzzles or handheld game. To learn more about building or purchasing Emergency Preparedness Kits and Safety Tubes, visit www.redcross.org/.

Other unique employee gift ideas -- try giving a new parent or grandparent a safety gift set, which includes a gift certificate to attend Infant/Child CPR classes and the Red Cross "First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Quick Reference Guide." Give the office pet lover a Red Cross pet safety combo pack. The "Pet First Aid" book along with a certificate for Pet First Aid training will be a valued present for any pet owner. Red Cross Personal First Aid Kits are an inexpensive gift everyone in the office can use for their desk or car. To find more safety gifts, contact your local Red Cross chapter or log on to www.redcrossstore.org/.

Once a business has plans and kits, the next action to "Be Red Cross Ready" is making sure systems are in place to be informed. During harsh weather and other emergencies, power lines and communications towers may go down cutting off vital information from authorities. With business continuity planning, companies will develop sound communication strategies for disseminating and receiving important safety information during an emergency. To complement a well developed information plan, the American Red Cross emergency radios by Eton Corporation have been designed to the most accurate up-to-minute information in local areas. Emergency radios provide instant access to local news, current weather updates and emergency alerts. Available in four models, each radio comes with a built-in flashlight, cell-phone charger, and never requires batteries. To find the radio that best meets your communications plan, visit www.redcrosstore.org/ or local retail store.

Often during emergencies when the public needs information and directions they turn first to their most visible sign of trust. For many communities that sign is the local small business or large corporation. A business cannot always predict when it may have to change its operations; but with careful planning it can be prepared to meet the challenge.

For information on business continuity planning or how to order a copy of the "Guide to Business Continuity Planning" CD-ROM, contact your local Red Cross chapter. To learn how to "Be Red Cross Ready" log on to www.redcross.org/.

The American Red Cross has helped people mobilize to help their neighbors for 125 years. Last year, victims of a record 72,883 disasters, most of them fires, turned to the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross for help and hope. Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people each year gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Almost 4 million people give blood -- the gift of life -- through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of more than 180 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work