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Red Cross officials here announced Wednesday a sweeping five-year plan that they hope will dramatically improve disaster response in the bi-state area for everything from house fires to terrorist attacks.

The cornerstone of the program, which has been dubbed “Prepare Greater St. Louis,” is the recruitment of more than 350 new disaster preparedness instructors and disaster workers.

In addition, workers hope to convince tens of thousands of people here to put together so-called disaster supply kits and take potentially lifesaving classes online and in person.

Ultimately, officials said, they hope to raise the St. Louis region to a “level 3” disaster readiness area, putting the area on par with Chicago and San Francisco – the only communities that have been able to reach and sustain the agency’s top designation.

“We live in an unpredictable time,” warned Louis Maull, IV, newly elected board chairman for the St. Louis Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We’re at risk every day. September 11 doesn’t let us forget it.”

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley was among several civic leaders at Wednesday’s kick-off announcement at its regional headquarters, 10195 Corporate Square, just off North Lindbergh Boulevard in Creve Coeur. “We’re not talking about just duct tape,” Dooley said. “This is a very serious issue.”

Christy Shultz, executive officer of field operations for the Red Cross here, said cost of the effort was not yet known. But, she said, the agency is confident that the money for the program can be raised through corporate donors, foundations and individuals.

Among highlights of the plan:

• Increasing the number of Red Cross outreach instructors to 650 from a current force of 400. Officials said that last year, instructors were able to train nearly 40,000 people in free disaster workshops and emergency preparedness drills. By 2009, they said, they hope the number can swell to 95,000 people a year.

• Increasing the number of highly trained disaster responders to 195 from the current number of 89.

• Encouraging a wide range of personal preparedness efforts, from putting together a household emergency supply kit, to taking first aid and CPR classes, to coming up with a plan in the event of an emergency.

The Red Cross announced that ready-made kits, including flashlights, packets of purified drinking water, gloves, rain gear and a radio, can be purchased through the Red Cross on its website at www.redcrossstl.org or by calling the local office at 314.516.2800. Also, for the first time this month, portions of Red Cross First Aid and CPR courses are online at the agency’s website.

Joseph C. White, chief executive officer of the Red Cross here, called the five-year program a “very aggressive plan” that could save countless lives in the event of both small and large disasters.

St. Louis Fire Chief Sherman George said, “We must all face up to our vulnerability. Those communities that are hit the hardest will be those that are the least prepared.”

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