2007 American Red Cross preparedness survey is a wake up call as the public reflects on recent disasters

St. Louis, Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - As the metropolitan area marks the one-year anniversary this week of the severe windstorm and resulting power outages that struck the St. Louis region on July 19, 2006, most St. Louisans have not taken the necessary steps to be ready for another local emergency, according to a new survey by the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.

"We have both good news and bad news to share with the community," said Joseph C. White, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "Most St. Louisans generally understand what it means to be ready, yet the majority have not acted on that knowledge."

"We celebrate that four out of 10 St. Louisans have prepared themselves for the next local disaster by creating a family emergency plan," White said. "St. Louis ranks slightly above the national average, which may be attributed to increased awareness that stems from our recent experience with local emergencies. Today, we challenge the remaining St. Louisans to join their neighbors in making preparedness a personal priority."

Overall, St. Louis area residents have an idea of what a disaster or emergency supply kit should include. However, less than half of all residents (41 percent) have actually prepared a kit for their home, according to the survey.

In all, most St. Louisans have not taken the necessary steps to prepare, despite the majority of local residents (71 percent) who say they have experienced some kind of hardship as a result of a public emergency situation. Hardships included: being unable to reach family, having to evacuate their home or community for one or more nights, being without electricity for three or more days, having to leave work for one or more days, or being unable to get to the store for three or more days.

Of those who have not prepared for an emergency, 60 percent said the reason is they never thought about it or don't think they will ever experience an emergency.

"The severe weather events of the past year show just how vulnerable St. Louis is to emergencies," said White. "By planning for all scenarios, we significantly reduce the fear of the unknown. There are things that each of us can do to make our home, school and workplace a safer environment. If each of us embraces the preparedness message, this community can continue to achieve great things."

About Red Cross Preparedness Resources:
To make emergency preparedness as easy as possible, the American Red Cross has introduced a variety of resources, including the new Be Red Cross Ready online tool now available at www.redcrossstl.org. Be Red Cross Ready streamlines emergency preparedness into the following three steps:

1. Get a Kit - Plan to have at least three days of supplies in an easy-to-carry evacuation kit, with additional supplies on hand. Supplies include water, non-perishable and high protein food items, a First Aid Kit, medications, and a battery-operated radio.
   
2. Make a Plan - Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to a disaster. Establish responsibilities for each family member and choose two places to meet following a disaster. Families should practice their emergency plan at least twice a year.
   
3. Be Informed - Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur locally and identify how authorities will notify the public with important instructions. It is important to seek lifesaving training in First Aid and CPR so that people are ready to lend a hand in an emergency situation.

Free Community Disaster Education presentations are designed for all ages and reach more than 72,000 people each year. The curriculum can be tailored for a variety of emergency scenarios - from home fires, winter storms, earthquakes and tornadoes to thunderstorms, floods, and pandemic flu.

Ready-made disaster supply kits containing basic emergency supplies are available for purchase, range from $40 to $70, and should be adapted for each person's unique needs and circumstances. The Red Cross also helps people build their own kits by providing a comprehensive list of necessary supplies, which is also featured online at www.redcrossstl.org.

Online CPR and First Aid training is affordable and available at www.redcrossstl.org, enabling participants to complete all prerequisites and written testing from the comfort of home at their own pace. Once the online portion is completed, course participants demonstrate skills to a Red Cross instructor to achieve certification. Each year, the St. Louis Area Chapter trains more than 85,000 people in CPR, First Aid and the proper use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

About the Red Cross Response to the July, 2006 Windstorm and Power Outages:
The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides immediate shelter, food, emotional support and emergency supplies as needed in the wake of local disasters. Following the windstorm and power outages in July, 2006, the Red Cross opened four emergency shelters to accommodate 750 guests. Over 200 Red Cross volunteers participated in the relief effort, serving over 15,300 meals and snacks through the sheltering operation while delivering 60,000 Heater Meals in cooperation with the National Guard and state and local emergency management agencies.

"The community-wide response to the windstorm and power outages in July, 2006 demonstrated the importance of outstanding partnerships among non-profit organizations, businesses, municipalities and government agencies," said White. "Because of tremendous support from our volunteers and donors, the Red Cross was able to be there to help in a time of great need. The recent preparedness study indicates that the Red Cross maintains the highest local level of trust for any not-for-profit organization (78%). We thank the community for their support of Red Cross programs and services, which make successful disaster responses possible."

About the Survey:
The 2007 American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter Preparedness Survey was conducted by Fleishman-Hillard Research in May 2007. The telephone survey included 402 adults within the coverage area of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, which includes the city of St. Louis and St. Louis, St. Charles, and Jefferson Counties in Missouri and Monroe and St. Clair counties in Illinois.

For More Information:
To learn more about the study, online Red Cross preparedness resources, free Community Disaster Education presentations, or ready-made disaster supply kits, please contact the American Red Cross 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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