Community Preparedness Champion Program: Getting Started Guide

Community Preparedness Champion Program: Getting Started Guide

How to Use This Guide This guide will walk you through the steps needed to successfully schedule the activities you have selected & provides tips to make your activity a success. Once you have identified the 4 activities you wish to complete, follow the step by step instructions provided for that activity. The Community Relations Department staff is available to assist you and can be reached at Alex.lutz@redcross.org or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. 2

Hosting a Citizens Preparedness Corps. Training Presentations last about 1 hour (with time for questions and answers) and give a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters, and how to respond to and recover from them. Step #1: Contact the American Red Cross Telephone: 212-875-2396 Email: Alex.lutz@redcross.org or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Provide at least 2 dates and times as well as the location where the presentation will be held. Please consider a date that allows a minimum of 2-3 weeks to promote the presentation. Red Cross will confirm the date and time. Step #2: Promote your preparedness presentation (if necessary) Once a date and time are confirmed, a flyer will be created by the Red Cross to help you promote the presentation. Step #3: Allow 1 hour prior to the presentation for set-up Presentation materials, equipment and a presenter will be provided by the Red Cross. Remember: upon completion, please check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Champion checklist! 3

Hosting a Pillowcase Project Presentation Presentations last about 1 hour and teach children ages 7-11 about personal and family preparedness, local hazards, and basic coping skills. Children receive materials to build their own preparedness bag. Step #1: Contact the American Red Cross Telephone: 212-875-2396 Email: Alex.lutz@redcross.org or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Provide at least 2 dates and times as well as the location where the presentation will be held. Please consider a date that allows a minimum of 2-3 weeks to promote the presentation. Red Cross will confirm the date and time. Step #2: Promote your preparedness presentation (if necessary) Once a date and time are confirmed, a flyer will be created by the Red Cross to help you promote the presentation. Step #3: Allow 1 hour prior to the presentation for set-up Presentation materials, equipment and a presenter will be provided by the Red Cross. Remember: upon completion, please check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Champion checklist! 4

Hosting A Blood Drive Step #1: Contact the American Red Cross in Greater New York Telephone: 212-875-2396 Email: Alex.lutz@redcross.org; or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Provide at least 2 dates and the location where the drive will be held. Drives are usually scheduled for a minimum of 5 hours. When selecting dates, consider a date that allows a minimum of 2 months for you to promote the drive, recruit donors and plan properly. Step #2: Schedule a walk through with Blood Services Red Cross Blood Services will contact you to schedule a walk-through of the location to confirm that it meets all requirements for a blood drive to be held. This includes: o A minimum of 1,000 sq. ft. o Heat controlled o Nearby bathrooms o Handicapped accessible Step #3 Promote your blood drive Once the date, time and location are confirmed, a flyer will be created by the Red Cross to help you promote the drive. Step # 4: Arrange for set-up at your location on the day of your drive Red Cross Blood Services will contact you to arrange time to set-up the day of the drive. All materials, equipment and licensed technicians are provided by the Red Cross. Remember: Upon completion of the event to check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Champion checklist! 5

Registering for Red Cross Courses To register for CPR/AED, First Aid, Pet First Aid, or Babysitter Training, please provide the following instructions to interested individuals: Step #1: Select a course Go to: http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class Enter your address, then select the course you wish to take and then click Find Classes Find the date, time and location most convenient for you and click Add to Cart After selecting the class, click on checkout Step #2: Create an account Create an on-line account to track your class registration and to register for future courses. Step #3: Provide payment for the course Provide payment information (credit card or Paypal) and click Submit Payment Review your information and click Place Your Order. You will receive confirmation and a confirmation notice will be sent to your email address. Step #4: Let us know when someone successfully completes a course (certificate awarded) Please email the names of those that successfully complete a course to Alex.lutz@redcross.org; or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Remember: When you have a minimum of 5 people trained, check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Leader checklist! 6

Recruiting a Minimum of 5 Volunteers Provide the following instructions to anyone interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer: Step #1: Register on line Go to: http://redcross.org/gnyvolunteer Click on Start Your Red Cross Journey Enter your zip code and click the search button. A complete list of current volunteer opportunities will be displayed. When you find an opportunity that matches your skills, interest and availability, click Apply Now. Step #2: Speak with a chapter representative about your areas of interest A representative from the Volunteer Resources Department will contact you and guide you on next steps to becoming a trained Red Cross volunteer. This includes an interview with the department that best suits your interest. Step #3: Schedule an interview with the department that meets your interests. Meet with the leadership of the department to discuss your goals, skills and how you can best assist the department. Step #4: Let us know when someone officially becomes a Red Cross volunteer Once a candidate completes the interview in step #3 and is approved by the department, an ID badge will be issued and they will be considered a Red Cross volunteer (additional training may be involved). Please email the names of those that receive ID badges to Alex.lutz@redcross.org; or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Remember: When you have a minimum of 5 people trained, check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Champion checklist! 7

Volunteer for Home Fire Prevention Campaign Provide the following instructions to anyone interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer: Step #1: Register on line Go to: http://redcross.org/gnyvolunteer Click on Start Your Red Cross Journey Enter your zip code and click the search button. A complete list of current volunteer opportunities will be displayed. When you find an opportunity that matches your skills, interest and availability, click Apply Now. Step #2: Speak with a chapter representative about your areas of interest A representative from the Volunteer Resources Department will contact you and guide you on next steps to becoming a trained Red Cross volunteer. This includes an interview with the department that best suits your interest. Step #3: Schedule an interview with the department that meets your interests. Meet with the leadership of the department to discuss your goals, skills and how you can best assist the department. Step #4: Let us know when someone officially becomes a Red Cross volunteer Once a candidate completes the interview in step #3 and is approved by the department, an ID badge will be issued and they will be considered a Red Cross volunteer (additional training may be involved). Please email the names of those that receive ID badges to Alex.lutz@redcross.org; or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Remember: When you have a minimum of 3 people trained and participated in 2 installation events, check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Champion checklist! 8

Become A Home Fire Prevention Campaign Community Partner Home Fire Prevention Campaign Community Partners help save lives by installing smoke alarms in homes and apartments through appointments in the community and provide residents important fire prevention information and education. As a Partner, you will strengthen your relationship with your community and enhance your reputation as a trusted source of preparedness information. Step #1: Contact the American Red Cross Telephone: 212-875-2396 Email: Alex.lutz@redcross.org or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Step #2: Schedule and complete a training for your organization or group The different training options will be explained and you can select the one that works best. Please be aware that in order to take training, individuals must complete a criminal background check. When training is complete, you will be provided with all the materials, fire alarms and equipment needed to do installations. Step #3: Promote your services to the community Red Cross will provide you with flyers and materials to let your community know of this important service you can provide. Let us know when you begin taking appointments so we can send you any in your area that may contact us directly. Step #4: Let us know when you need additional supplies or have documentation to submit If you need additional supplies or after completing installations, you have documentation to send us, please let us know. Remember: When you have completed training and participated in 1 installation event, check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Champion checklist! 9

Community Engagement Opportunity for Red Cross Step #1: Contact the American Red Cross Telephone: 212-875-2396 Email: Alex.lutz@redcross.org or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Provide as many details about the event as possible, including date, time, location, type of event and expected number of attendees. Please indicate if this is a: o Speaking engagement: Red Cross is being asked to provide a brief overview of programs and services to an audience. o Tabling event: Red Cross is invited to distribute brochures and information, but not provide a presentation (example: health fair, street fair, lunch and learn, etc.). Please indicate if media is expected to attend. Step #2: Confirm Red Cross participation The Community Relations Department will contact you to confirm participation and who will be representing the Red Cross. Remember: Upon completion of the presentation, please check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Champion checklist! 10

Recruit A Home Fire Prevention Campaign Community Partner Home Fire Prevention Campaign Community Partners help save lives by installing smoke alarms in homes and apartments through appointments in the community and provide residents important fire prevention information and education. Becoming a Partner, will strengthen relationships with the community and enhance an organization s reputation as a trusted source of preparedness information. Step #1: Identify a possible Community Partner Provide them with the Community Partner description and urge them to be trained. If they are interested, let them know you will have the Red Cross contact them. Step #2: Contact the American Red Cross Telephone: 212-875-2396 Email: Alex.lutz@redcross.org or Denise.bloise@redcross.org. Provide us with the information about the possible Community Partner and we will contact them. If they agree, we will update you on their training and progress. Remember: When you have been informed that your recommendation has completed training check off the activity on your Community Preparedness Champion checklist! 11

Thank You for Becoming A Community Preparedness Champion!