Red Cross Helps Allegheny County Libraries Prepare Patrons for Flu Season
PITTSBURGH – With extensive reference materials, computers and class offerings, Allegheny County libraries provide a wealth of information to the community. Amid flu season, however, the America
PITTSBURGH – The holidays are a time for excitement, celebration and laughter. With this holiday season quickly approaching, people throughout the region are decorating homes; while the American
Red Cross Urges Local Residents to Use Fire Alarms
PITTSBURGH - The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants you to be safe and ready in the case of a fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) release
November 16, 2009 Red Cross Helps Allegheny County Libraries Prepare Patrons for Flu Season
PITTSBURGH – With extensive reference materials, computers and class offerings, Allegheny County libraries provide a wealth of information to the community. Amid flu season, however, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is helping Pittsburgh-area libraries prevent patrons from sharing germs along with resources.
The local Red Cross is providing the Allegheny County Library Association with 100 boxes of hand sanitizer as well as Red Cross Ready flu checklists to distribute through the association’s 100 library locations and three bookmobiles.
With enough individual sanitizer packets to cleanse the hands of about 300 people at each library, the libraries plan to target the virus-spreading potential of their computer keyboards especially, said Beth Mellor, Marketing and Member Services Coordinator for the association.
“Our computer usage has really skyrocketed this past year,” Mellor said. “We want (patrons) to feel comfortable about using the computers and know that they can sanitize their hands before and after.”
In order to continue healthy habits in homes and workplaces as well, patrons can reference the Red Cross’ flu checklist to avoid getting sick and to form a plan in case a family member comes down with a virus. Displaying the information at the libraries will serve as a reminder that the flu, and H1N1 in particular, remain a serious health consideration, Mellor said.
“I was just blown away,” Mellor said of the Red Cross contribution. “Libraries in a lot of ways are community centers. People do notice the information we’re putting out.”
In an effort to continue educating individuals about the risk of flu, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter also is offering free preparing for pandemic flu presentations. Visit swpa.redcross.org or call 412-263-3148 for more information.
November 13, 2009 Red Cross Offers Holiday Decorating Safety Tips
PITTSBURGH – The holidays are a time for excitement, celebration and laughter. With this holiday season quickly approaching, people throughout the region are decorating homes; while the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter urges area residents to use caution while preparing for this season’s festivities.
Decorations are beautiful and festive but can be fire hazards and the Red Cross offers the following safety tips to keep this holiday season as memorable as the last.
Holiday Decoration Safety Tips:
Unplug holiday lights when leaving your home or going to sleep.
Do not use lights to decorate metal Christmas trees.
Use only laboratory-approved lights to decorate Christmas trees.
Use extension cords and surge protectors when using one power source for multiple decorations.
Place Christmas trees away from heat sources, fireplaces and exits.
Do not let stockings or other decorations hang too low over fireplaces; if stockings are near the flame itself, they become a fire hazard.
Water Christmas trees daily so that they do not become dry, which is another fire hazard.
Avoid using open flame candles when possible. Instead, consider battery operated candles, some of which even have the look and feel of real candles. (According to the National Fire Prevention Association, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the most common days of the year for fires started by candles).
If using candles, keep them at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn including decorations, wreaths, dried flowers, etc.
Never leave candles lit in an unattended room.
Even the smallest spark can have devastating results, it is crucial to keep your home free of hazard, and prepared in case of emergency. For more information on holiday safety, or fire prevention, or the make you’re Promise to Prepare, visit your local Red Cross at swpa.redcross.org.
November 6, 2009 Red Cross Offering Free CPR Class in Etna
PITTSBURGH – Cardiac emergencies can strike anyone at anytime. Would you know how to save the life of a loved one suffering from cardiac arrest?
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is offering a FREE Adult CPR with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) class in Etna on Saturday, Nov. 21/ The event is being presented by Etna Economic Development Corporation, the Etna Volunteer Fire Department and the local Red Cross. The normal cost of the class is $50 per person, but it is being offered to area residents for free as part of the grant-funded Promise to Prepare campaign at the Red Cross.
“We want to do everything in our power to make sure the residents of Etna and the surrounding communities have the skills and knowledge necessary to save a life,” said Thomas Dufour, a member of the Etna Economic Development Corporation Organization Committee. “CPR training is a crucial part of those efforts, and the fact that this particular class is being offered for free makes it an outstanding opportunity for everyone in our area."
The class will be held at Fugh Memorial Social Hall, located at 27 Crescent Ave. in Etna, on Sat., Nov. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Those who successfully complete the training and pass an exam will receive one-year CPR/AED certification from the Red Cross.
While the class is free, pre-registration is required. Those interested should call 412-263-3119 to sign up.
For more information on preparing for emergencies, visit the local Red Cross at swpa.redcross.org. For more information on economic redevelopment in Etna, visit etnaborough.org/edc.htm.
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November 6, 2009 Red Cross Urges Local Residents to Use Fire Alarms
PITTSBURGH - The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants you to be safe and ready in the case of a fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the nationwide “Install. Inspect. Protect.” campaign recently, which emphasizes using smoke alarms to help save lives. In recognition of this inspiring program, the local Red Cross is urging residents to install and maintain smoke alarms in their homes.
Home fires are America's biggest disaster threat. Locally, the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter responds to a fire emergency an average of once every 29 hours. The American Red Cross offers the following tips to make sure your family is protected in the event of a fire:
Install a smoke alarm outside and inside of each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. Replace all batteries once a year or when necessary.
Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department on how to use them.
Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
Please make your Promise to Prepare in recognition of the Red Cross and FEMA’s efforts to prevent fire disasters.
November 4, 2009 Red Cross Recognizes U.S. Veterans and Supports Active Military Personnel
PITTSBURGH – As the flag flies this Veterans Day, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter recognizes the contributions and dedication of U.S. service members, past and present.
At the local Red Cross, however, the commitment of U.S. military personnel is an active consideration, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Through its Service to the Armed Forces Program (SAF), the Chapter spends an estimated 4,500 hours annually helping family members at home connect with their loved ones in uniform.
Members of the military and their families can rely on the Red Cross to stay in touch during times of emergency or crisis, such as the death or sickness of a loved one, or during other momentous events, such as the birth of a child. The Red Cross relays these messages to service members stationed anywhere in the world.
During the last fiscal year, 695 military families turned to SAF volunteers for assistance during an emergency. In order to continue the SAF mission, the Red Cross is looking for additional volunteers to keep the lines of communication open for these families.
SAF volunteers answer calls from local families, concerning important news they would like to relay to a loved one in the military. Volunteers then validate and process the information using a global network of Red Cross staff and volunteers.
SAF volunteers are placed in an on-call rotation with flexible scheduling based on each volunteer’s availability. Additionally, this crucial function can be performed remotely, such as from the comfort of one’s home.
If you are interested in becoming an SAF volunteer, please contact Renee Willow of your local Red Cross at 412-263-3136 or email her at WillowR@usa.redcross.org. All trainings are free and registration is required. Volunteers will be asked to provide references and to complete a background check. For more information, visit swpa.redcross.org.
October 29, 2009 Red Cross Responds to Blawnox Manor Fire
BLAWNOX, Pa. - Shortly after a fire broke out in the Blawnox Manor high-rise apartment complex in Blawnox early Thursday morning, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter was at the scene assisting displaced residents with their crucial needs.
The Red Cross and the Allegheny County Housing Authority opened a temporary warming shelter in the Hoboken Presbyterian Church hall. At the shelter, the Red Cross provided 100 individuals with breakfast and 75 more with lunch.
Tonight, Allegheny County Housing Authority will provide overnight shelter to those individuals still not permitted back into their apartments; Red Cross personnel will help the Housing Authority facilitate this process.
Blawnox Manor residents and their families seeking more information should contact the Allegheny County Housing Authority at 412-828-0139.
The Red Cross is not a government agency. It is only through the private donations of individuals and the contributions of volunteers that the Red Cross is able to respond to disasters, such as today’s fire. For more information on how to help, visit swpa.redcross.org or call 888-217-9599.
October 28, 2009 Red Cross in Critical Need of Disaster Response Volunteers in Counties South of Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH – The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter responds to a disaster an average of nearly once per day, including once every three days in the rural counties south of Pittsburgh. When these emergencies strike, Red Cross volunteers travel to the scenes of these disasters, such as house fires and floods, and help their neighbors with essential needs such as food, clothing and shelter.
However, in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties, the chapter currently has a critically low number of volunteers available to fill this crucial role and is reaching out to the community for help. Beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 27 and continuing through Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Red Cross is holding its Southern County Disaster Volunteer Drive. The drive culminates with a Volunteer Orientation held at locations in Uniontown, Washington and Waynesburg on Nov. 10.
“The American Red Cross is prepared to respond any time disasters strike Southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Renee Willow, Emergency Services Volunteer Coordinator with the local Red Cross. “However, the Red Cross is in desperate need of more volunteer responders to assist the victims of these disasters with their most essential needs.”
Specifically, the Red Cross is looking for volunteers to join its Southern Counties Disaster Action Team. These disaster responders undergo extensive training (provided for free by the Red Cross) and then take on-call shifts and respond to disasters (most often house fires) in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties; the chapter responds to a disaster an average of once every three days in this three-county region.
“This is a great opportunity for retired individuals or anyone looking to apply their life skills in a way that gives back to their community,” said Willow. “Being a Red Cross disaster responder is a challenge that is extremely rewarding.”
Those interested in this volunteer position must be at least 18-years-old and willing to be on-call at least seven evenings per month. Interested individuals are invited to attend the Volunteer Orientation on Tuesday, Nov. 10 for more information. The Orientation will feature a two-hour overview of Red Cross disaster response and will be held at the chapter offices located at 524 East Maiden St. in Washington, 108 Morgantown St. in Uniontown and 55 West Greene Street in Waynesburg.
The two-hour orientations will be held at each of the three locations at four separate times:
9 to 11 a.m.
1 to 3 p.m.
4 to 6 p.m.
7 to 9 p.m.
Those wishing to attend should contact Renee Willow at 888-217-9599 ext. 3136 to register or for more information. For more information on the local Red Cross, visit swpa.redcross.org.
October 28, 2009 Red Cross Offers First Aid, CPR and AED Training Classes this November
PITTSBURGH – The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will offer lifesaving classes to the public next month. The Red Cross encourages people to participate and get trained because disasters can strike at any time.
Below is a list of November classes being offered in Allegheny and Washington counties.
Downtown Chapter Headquarters located at 225 Blvd. of the Allies in Pittsburgh
Thursday, Nov. 19; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer; $80
Saturday, Nov. 21; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Standard First Aid with CPR/AED - Adult and Child plus Infant CPR; $65
Washington County Red Cross Training Center located 524 East Maiden St.
Saturday, Nov. 14; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Standard First Aid with CPR/AED – Adult and Child plus Infant CPR;$60
To register for any of the above classes, or for more information, visit swpa.redcross.org and click on “Get Trained” or call 1-888-217-9599.
Additionally, the local Red Cross offers online training in First Aid and Adult CPR/AED. Take a class online at your convenience, and then come to the Chapter Headquarters for a brief skill session on Monday, Nov. 30 (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) to complete your certification. Please call 412-263-3100 or visit swpa.redcross.org to register.
October 21, 2009 Red Cross Offers Simple Tips for a Safe Halloween
PITTSBURGH – Halloween is the time of year for spooky stories, trick-or-treating and mischief. As children prepare their costumes and parents stock up on treats to handout, it is important to remember safety this Halloween. The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter offers the following tips for parents and children alike to have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Accept treats only at the door. Never enter a stranger’s house.
Inspect candy closely before eating it. Candy with opened or torn wrappers should be thrown away. Small candy should not be given to young children, as it is a choking hazard.
Only trick-or-treat at houses with the lights on. Avoid homes that do not have lights out as this is an indication they’re not participating.
Be careful of strangers and animals. Be especially careful to avoid stray dogs.
Use your street smarts. Walk on the sidewalk, not the street. Look both ways before crossing and only cross at the corners. Never enter a strangers’ vehicle or hide between cars. Do not walk on the lawns.
Make yourself as visible as possible. Try attaching reflective tape to your clothing and props, such as broomsticks. Also put reflective tapes on bicycles, scooters and skateboards.
Use face paint instead of masks. Masks make it harder to for you to see, making it more likely for you to fall or have an accident.
Be careful near open flames. Costumes can be very flammable, and long capes or dresses can be particularly easy to catch fire.
Try using glow sticks in your jack-o-lanterns instead of candles, and avoid open flames as much as possible.
Bring a flashlight. Using a flashlight will help you to clearly see your way and help cars better see you.
Plan your trick-or-treating route. Parents and children should map out a route together to avoid any dangerous situations. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
For more information on Halloween safety, and other helpful safety tips, visit swpa.redcross.org.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
October 20, 2009 Red Cross Presentation Helps Small Businesses Prepare for Pandemic Flu
PITTSBURGH – In the midst of flu season and increasing cases of the H1N1 virus, many local business leaders face the task of developing a plan to prepare their workplace for pandemic flu.
In order to assist small businesses with the challenge of maintaining daily operations during flu season, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is offering free Preparing Small Business Workplaces for Pandemic Flu presentations about what to expect during a pandemic and what steps to take to prevent the virus’ spread.
“In the event of a flu pandemic, it’s important for business leaders to evaluate their workplace policies and protocols to form a plan for business sustainability,” said Pauline Duncan, who oversees community disaster education for the local Red Cross. “Business leaders should know what to expect during a flu pandemic and how to prevent the spread of a virus in their workplace.”
The hour-long presentation is geared toward informing employees about how to prepare for and respond to pandemic flu by educating them about what a flu pandemic is, how it spreads and how to form a preparedness plan for both the home and workplace.
In addition, the presentation will equip business leaders with key considerations to effectively prepare their business to continue operation in the face of a pandemic flu while preventing the spread of infection in the workplace.
Businesses interested in hosting an American Red Cross Preparing Small Business Workplaces for Pandemic Flu workshop should call 412-263-3148 or visit swpa.redcross.org.
There is no charge for the presentations; the Red Cross is a nonprofit funded by the generous donations of individuals, business and foundations.
October 2, 2009 Red Cross Offers Tips in Time for National Fire Prevention Week
PITTSBURGH - With the cold weather approaching, the risk of home fires is increasing. Home fires can be caused by number of factors, including things such as using electric heaters to heat the home or plugging multiple appliances into the same outlet.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to inform the public about the risks of home fires and provide useful safety tips to keep your home protected.
This year, National Fire Prevention Week is Sunday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 10. The National Fire Prevention Association - an international non-profit organization that strives to reduce fires - founded National Fire Prevention Week in 1922 as a way to educate the public on ways to prevent fires.
In Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, house fires are the most common disaster. The Red Cross responds to a fire an average of once every 29 hours in Allegheny, Greene, Washington and Fayette counties.
“Families can help to prevent home fires by following a few simple fire safety tips,” said Mike Adametz, Director of Emergency Services with the local Red Cross. “Home fires are serious and can cause serious damage, but knowing the fire safety tips can save a life.”
The Red Cross offers the following advice:
Smoke Alarms - Having smoke alarms in your home can save your life. Alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside of the kitchen and in every sleeping area. Proper maintenance of smoke alarms requires monthly tests, replacing batteries every six months and replacing the actual alarm every 10 years.
Fire Extinguishers - Have one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Have a plan to escape from every room of your home. Also, select a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home where family members can go after escaping. After discussing your plan with all members of your household, you should practice your plan at least twice a year.
Emergency Kit - Build an emergency supplies kit and keep it in a convenient place in case you have to evacuate your home quickly. Among the supplies you should keep in your kit are extra clothes, blankets, medicines, first aid supplies, important documents, canned food, a can opener and water. For a complete list of items to include, visit swpa.redcross.org.
Emergency Numbers - Post local emergency services phone numbers (usually 9-1-1) and the Poison Control Center near every telephone in the home.
Check Appliances - Make sure all of your electrical appliances are working properly, and unplug everything if you will be away from your home for an extended period of time.
Safe Heating - Avoid using space heaters when possible. If using space heaters, do not put them too close to furniture, curtains or other materials that could ignite. Contact heating and cooling professionals to inspect your chimney and heating system annually. For a list of space heater safety tips, visit swpa.redcross.org.
Flammable Materials - Keep combustible/flammable items and materials, such as curtains, chairs and firewood at least three feet away from stoves, portable space heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, etc.
Smoking Hazards - Never smoke in bed or when you are lying down in case you fall asleep.
Outlets - Do not plug several appliances or lamps into the same outlet. Run extension cords only on top of floors and carpets, not under them.
Candles - You should never leave candles unattended, and be careful when you have them around small children and pets because they can knock the candles over. Use flashlights, not candles, for emergency lighting if you lose power.
To learn more information visit swpa.redcross.org and click on “Getting Prepared.”
September 28, 2009 Red Cross Offering Free CPR Training in Turtle Creek
September 28, 2009 Red Cross Offers First Aid and CPR Classes this October
PITTSBURGH –– Fall back into the swing of things. The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter offers the opportunity to learn skills that could help you save a life. This October, the Red Cross is offering First Aid and CPR classes in several area locations to help keep you and your family safe.
Below is a list being offered at Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter locations in October:
Allegheny County
Thursday, Oct. 1; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. First Aid; $50
Tuesday, Oct. 6; 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Standard First Aid with CPR/AED – Adult; $60
Saturday, Oct.10; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Babysitter’s Training; $40
Tuesday, Oct. 13; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. First Aid and CPR Training for Pets; $45
Thursday, Oct. 15; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CPR/AED - Adult and Child plus Infant CPR; $60
Tuesday, Oct. 20; 8a.m -6 p.m. Standard First Aid with CPR/AED-Adult and Child Plus Infant CPR; $65
Tuesday, Oct. 20; 6 to 10:30 p.m. CPR -Adult; $50
Thursday, Oct. 22; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer; $80
Saturday, Oct. 24; 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Adult; $60
Fayette County
Saturday, Oct. 24; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Standard First Aid with CPR/AED – Adult and Child Plus Infant CPR; $60
Wednesday, Oct. 7; 5:30 to 10 p.m. and Thursday, Oct.8; 5:30 to 9:30p.m. Standard First Aid with CPR/AED-Adult ;$55
Thursday, Oct. 8; 5:30 to 9:30p.m. First Aid; $40
To register online, visit swpa.redcross.org and click on “Get Trained” and search all of classes available or register by calling 888-217-9599. Getting trained is one of the four key ways you can help you and your family be prepared for any emergency. The local Red Cross is encouraging all residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania to make a “Promise to Prepare” for any disaster by getting trained, volunteering, building a kit and creating a family disaster plan. For more information, or to make your promise, visit swpa.redcross.org.
September 28, 2009 Red Cross to Honor Lifesaving Teacher
PITTSBURGH - Mike Bosco has been a physical education teacher for 17 years, helping to shape the lives of children by teaching them the importance of fitness, health and safety. But in June of this year, Bosco took these efforts to new, heroic heights.
Bosco - who teaches at Pittsburgh Brashear High School - used American Red Cross CPR to save the life of a student who suffered a cardiac emergency during gym class. For these courageous efforts, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will honor Bosco as a Hero at its inaugural Heroes Breakfast on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Bosco will never forget the events of that particular class. During routine physical education activities, Bosco noticed that one male student was on the ground.
“It looked like he was taking a break from the activity,” recalled Bosco. “Then I noticed that it looked like he was having trouble breathing. So I got down close to him and he was starting to shake . . . he was actually going into cardiac arrest.”
Bosco, who has been certified in American Red Cross CPR since he was in high school, immediately put his knowledge to work.
“He stopped breathing, so I started CPR,” he said.
Bosco stayed calm. He asked another teacher to call 911, and he enlisted the help of a school nurse in performing two-person CPR on the student until paramedics arrived.
The student was taken to a hospital where doctors discovered he had a cardiac condition; doctors then installed a pacemaker into his chest, and he has since made a full recovery.
“We spoke on the phone a couple times, and he came back to school after he recovered,” said Bosco. “He and his mother were very thankful.”
CPR is an important part of Bosco’s life. Beyond being certified in the lifesaving skill, Bosco is also a certified Red Cross CPR instructor. In fact, this is the second time in his life that Bosco used CPR in a real-life situation.
The first came approximately 20 years ago when Bosco was the aquatics director at a local YMCA; an individual suffered a heart attack getting out of a car, and Bosco responded in that situation, too.
Needless to say, Bosco strongly believes that CPR is a crucial skill that everyone should learn.
“I think it’s valuable for everybody to learn that skill,” he said. “Everybody is a potential first responder.”
Bosco, a Kennedy Township resident, and wife, Melissa, have three daughters: Lindsay, Lauren and Hannah.
Heroes Breakfast
Bosco will be honored by the local Red Cross as the Hero award winner in the Educator category at the chapters’ first-ever Heroes Breakfast, which will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Rivers Club, located One Oxford Centre in downtown Pittsburgh.
Bill Moushey - former Post-Gazette reporter and founder of the Innocence Institute at Point Park University - will serve as the emcee. Dave Sanderson, a hero from the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane crash, will deliver the Keynote speech.
In addition to Bosco, the Red Cross will honor three additional everyday heroes from our region.
David Hunter - Lifetime Commitment to the Red Cross Award
George Lantzy - Firefighter Award
George Verbanic - Good Samaritan Award
Tickets are $50 per person, and all proceeds benefit the disaster relief efforts of the local Red Cross. For more information or to reserve a ticket, visit swpa.redcross.org or call 412-263-3129.
September 23, 2009 Pet First Aid Class to be Held at Community Library
PITTSBURGH - The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is bringing a series of Pet First Aid and CPR classes to O’Hara Twp. The first will be held on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Lauri Ann West Memorial Library.
“We hope to create a higher sense of awareness among pet owners, sitters and enthusiasts with this new class,” said Rick Elster, Director of Health and Safety for the local Red Cross.
Class attendees will learn how to properly care for and treat pets which accidentally ingest poison, break bones, become ill and suffer cardiac arrest, among many other ailments. The skills learned in the class may help save a beloved family pet or companion. In addition to obtaining this life-saving knowledge, students will receive a certificate upon completion of the class acknowledging permanent pet first aid certification.
The Pet First Aid program is just one of many classes offered by the Red Cross, which plans to further the health and safety knowledge of the community in any way possible.
“This is just another way we are helping people in the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies,” commented Elster.
The Lauri Ann West Library is located at 1220 Powers Run Rd., O’Hara Twp. Registration fees are $45 per person and all proceeds benefit the disaster relief efforts of the local Red Cross.
Below is a complete list of Pet First Aid class coming to Lauri Ann West Library in the coming months.
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 7- 9 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 7- 9 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 7- 9 p.m.
Thursday Dec. 10, 2009 7- 9 p.m.
Attending a class is just one of the ways you and your family can become prepared for emergencies of any kind. The Red Cross encourages all residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania to make a promise to prepare for any disaster by getting trained, volunteering, building a kit or creating a family disaster plan. For more information, or to make your promise, visit swpa.redcross.org.
