 Organization recognized for CPR and First Aid training, as well as AED placement
St. Louis, Tuesday, January 29, 2008 – During an onsite award presentation, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter presented the Lifesaver Community Award to the YMCA of Greater St. Louis. 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 the St. Louis community 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.
“The YMCA of Greater St. Louis was one of the first large organizations with multiple locations to purchase an AED for each branch, and is one of few organizations that have oxygen tanks onsite,” said Joseph C. White, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. “Their commitment to creating a safer community is evident by placing this emergency equipment onsite and by providing training to employees and the public to prepare them to respond during emergency situations.”
Details regarding YMCA of Greater St. Louis’ preparedness efforts include the following:
· Actively provided Red Cross health and safety training to employees and the community for the past 8 years.
· Since January 1, 2006, YMCA of Greater St. Louis instructors, certified by Red Cross, have taught over 1,200 classes collectively.
· Purchased 22 AEDs for each branch and then added a second AED to the Trout Lodge/Camp Lakewood in Potosi.
· Has 22 oxygen tanks onsite.
· Hosted 216 blood drives since 2005.
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 82,000 local residents in CPR and First Aid, including more than 17,000 in the use of AEDs. Since its inception in 1984, the Red Cross Lifesaver Program has honored more than 330 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 91 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 446,600 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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