Organization recognized for CPR and First Aid training, as well as AED placement
St. Louis, Thursday, July 12, 2007 - During an onsite award presentation on Thursday, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter presented the
Lifesaver Community Award
to the YMCA of Southwest Illinois (YMCA-SWIL). A Red Cross Celebration Team, comprised of volunteers and staff, took part in the recognition event to celebrate the YMCA's outstanding commitment to helping communities throughout southwestern Illinois to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The Lifesaver Community Award is an expansion of the Red Cross Lifesaver Program and is designed to honor corporations, municipalities and civic organizations for contributing to a safer community environment. Award criteria includes utilizing Red Cross health and safety training for at least three years, training employees in CPR and First Aid on a regular basis, and placing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) onsite.
"By teaching area residents to respond during emergency situations, the YMCA of Southwest Illinois is saving lives and creating a better, safer community for us all," said Joseph C. White, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.
"The Red Cross hopes that other community organizations will follow suit to further prepare the Metro East and the greater St. Louis area for emergencies."
Details regarding YMCA-SWIL's preparedness efforts include the following:
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The YMCA-SWIL utilizes two Instructor Trainers and 14 instructors who serve each of the area's eight branches by specializing in American Red Cross CPR and First Aid curriculum.
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All eight branches feature Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) onsite.
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In the last two years, over 400 people have been trained in CPR, First Aid, and the use of AEDs.
About the Red Cross Lifesaver Program:
The Lifesaver Award Program is designed to inspire others to get trained in First Aid and CPR by recognizing local citizens who prepared themselves to respond in an emergency situation. Last year, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter trained more than 85,000 people locally in CPR and First Aid, including more than 15,000 in the use of AEDs. Since 1984, the Red Cross Lifesaver Program has honored more than 300 St. Louis heroes. The program supports the Red Cross mission to help our communities prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies.
In 2007, the St. Louis Area Chapter expanded the Lifesaver Award Program to include the Lifesaver Community Awards. The newly expanded program honors corporations, municipalities, and civic organizations for contributing to a safer community environment by reaching employees with lifesaving First Aid
and
CPR training and hosting regular blood drives.
For More Information:
To learn more about the Lifesaver Community Awards or the programs and services provided by the American Red Cross, please contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 90 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
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