Washington County Man Departs to Aid Hurricane Irene Emergency

As Hurrican Irene hits the east coast, the American Red Cross continues to amp up its efforts in anticipation for massive storms, including moving relief workers, vehicles and supplies from across the country to key positions along the east coast. 

The American Red Cross of southwestern Pennsylvania has deployed Steve Noe of Washington County, specifically Chartiers Township, to Princeton, N.J., where he will serve as a mass care manager. 

This is the 16th national deployment for Noe, who works as an emergency services supervisor with the local Red Cross. In his role on this deployment, Noe will help to manage sheltering, mass feeding and bulk distribution of food and supplies in the event that Irene makes landfall and displaces residents.

Noe is the second local worker to be deployed in anticipation of Irene; he joins Oakmont’s Theresa Creighan, a volunteer who has been deployed to Raleigh, N.C. to assist with recruiting and placing other Red Cross volunteers in the areas of greatest need.

According to a release, Red Cross workers in countries in the Caribbean have been responding to Hurricane Irene.

Ahead of the storm, camp committees were notified and emergency response teams put on alert. The Dominican Republic Red Cross evacuated residents ahead of the storm and provided emergency shelters for those affected. The Bahamas Red Cross is coordinating with the national emergency office to initiate preparedness activities. And, the Turks and Caicos Red Cross has volunteers ready to assist in community shelters, as well as provide first aid. 

Do you have a loved one living in potential evacuation areas? The Red Cross Safe and Well website will keep you up to date. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Facebook and Twitter statuses can be updated through the Safe and Well site. Affected residents should also download the free Red Cross shelter finder app in the Apple iTunes store.

Guidance: 

The Red Cross urges people to take steps over the next few days as the storm approaches to help ensure their safety and the safety of their loved ones. They include:

• Get a three-day supply of water ready for each person on hand, along with food that doesn’t require refrigeration, flashlights, a battery-operated radio and a first aid kit.
• Plan routes to emergency shelters and register family members with special needs as required.
• Make plans for pets. 
• Bring items inside that can be picked up by the wind. 
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings and keep them closed as much as possible so food will last longer if the power goes out.
• Turn off any propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
• Fill their vehicle’s gas tank. 
• Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If hurricane shutters aren’t an option, close and board up windows and doors with plywood. 

The Red Cross Ready Rating Program (ReadyRating.org) helps businesses and schools prepare for emergencies and disruptions of operations. There are special steps businesses, schools and organizations should take if they are in the path of the hurricane, such as:

• Reviewing emergency response plans and continuity of operations of plans so everyone knows the approved procedures and individual responsibilities.
• Checking their stock of emergency preparedness supplies and safety equipment.
• Ensuring warning or alert systems for employees are in order and employee contact information is up-to-date.
• Storing employee emergency contact information and other important files on and off-site.

For more information on the Ready Rating Program at the local Red Cross, contact Victor Roosen at 412-263-3144 or RoosenV@usa.redcross.org.

How to Help:

American Red Cross disaster preparedness starts long before a hurricane makes landfall, beginning with keeping supplies and equipment on stand-by all year to help people in need. On average, the Red Cross spends about $450 million on disaster relief every year. Those wishing to help can make donation to disaster relief efforts in one of four easy ways:

• Text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 which will send a $10 donation to the National Disaster Relief Fund. The charge will appear on your next cell phone bill.
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
• Visit RedCross.org.
• Mail a check to the American Red Cross, 225 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The donation should be marked "National" if the donor wishes the funds to be earmarked for the National Disaster Relief Fund.

For more information on the Red Cross relief efforts across the nation, visit RedCross.org. For more information on the efforts of the local Red Cross or to become a volunteer, visit swpa.RedCross.org or call 412-263-3100.

Friend the Red Cross on Facebook (Red Cross Southwestern Pa.), and Twitter at @RedCrossSWPA.