City recognized for commitment to ensure community is able to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies
St. Louis, Tuesday, December 18, 2007– During a recent onsite award presentation, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter presented its Lifesaver Community Award to the City of Clayton for training employees and residents in First Aid and CPR on a regular basis, for teaching residents water safety, and for placing emergency equipment onsite throughout its facilities. A Red Cross Celebration Team, comprised of volunteers and staff, took part in the recognition event to celebrate Clayton’s commitment to helping the Red Cross fulfill its mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
“The City of Clayton has been an exceptional Red Cross partner for many years,” said Joseph C. White, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. “Clayton has placed Automated External Defibrillators in its facilities and has trained over 2,600 employees and residents in over 180 different lifesaving classes. We salute their efforts and challenge others to follow their outstanding example.”
The Lifesaver Community Award 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, placing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) onsite, and conducting regular Red Cross blood drives.
Details regarding the City of Clayton’s preparedness efforts include the following:
§ Trained more than 2,600 employees and residents through over 180 classes covering CPR, First Aid and AEDs; Lifeguarding; Bloodborne Pathogens; and Learn-to-Swim in 2006 and 2007.
§ Partnered with the Red Cross to place AEDs onsite at the Center of Clayton and at Shaw Park Aquatic Center.
§ Utilized the American Red Cross’ Aquatic Examiner Service for over 8 years.
§ Welcomed the Red Cross to host an Aquatic School onsite to train lifeguards and children safe water practices. Clayton has 12 Lifeguard Instructors and 53 Water Safety Instructors on staff and its lifeguard teams have won numerous awards.
About the Red Cross Lifesaver Program:
The Lifesaver Award Program, sponsored by AAA, is designed to inspire others to get trained in First Aid and CPR by recognizing local citizens for preparing themselves to respond in an emergency situation. Last year, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter trained more than 85,000 local residents in CPR and First Aid, including more than 15,000 in the use of AEDs. Since its inception in 1984, the Red Cross Lifesaver Program has honored more than 325 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.
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 nearly 450,000 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.