The Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross has been actively working in the Cayuga County community to help citizens prepare for disasters and respond to emergencies in the home, place of work and out in the community since 1917.

The Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross provides a trifold service to the community of disaster aid; education; and blood services.

Staff and volunteers provide 24-hour disaster assistance for disaster victims; emergency communication for military families (AFES); emergency energy assistance programs for the elderly and disabled; and training in CPR & First Aid, Water Safety, Babysitting, “Knowing Mowing,” AED (Automated External Defibrillation); Life Guarding; and other life savings skills.

The Red Cross is prepared to assist those affected by disasters such as home fires and flooding with basic, immediate, emergency needs that cannot be met with other resources. We provide the means for them to pay for what they need most: shelter, food and clothing. We provide first aid, counseling and help in contacting family members. We guide recovery and also help victims obtain and use available resources.

Assistance to those in need is provided without charge. This is made possible by voluntary donations of time, money and blood from the community and in part by The United Way. Contributions to your local Cayuga County Red Cross help people in need in your local community.

Sharon McLean, a retired nurse, is the Director of Disaster Services. An active committee of trained volunteers works under Sharon to respond to disasters both locally and nationally. 24 Red Cross volunteers have spent time in New York City at The World Trade Center 9/11 disasters. Several have returned for two and three stints in New York City.

Within the Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) System, there are several distinct routes for Disaster volunteers to follow in their volunteer career path. Nursing, Family Service, Logistics, Administration, Mental Health, Mass Care, Damage Assessment and Liaison are a few of the functions which require extensive professional experience and in-depth training. The training is accomplished at the chapter for the basic courses. The rewards of being a disaster volunteer are tremendous.

The chapter also facilitates two energy assistance programs for the elderly and disabled. After an interview and case needs assessment, applicants may receive assistance from Project Share and FEMA. The Red Cross Emergency Energy Assistance is a last step after all other resources have been exhausted.

The Health & Safety Services Department, under the direction of Alex MacNicol, offers a variety of classes and materials to help people prepare for and respond to a range of emergencies. From heart attacks to avoiding back strain, the Red Cross provides instruction in First-Aid; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for adults/children/infants; swimming for children; advanced First- Aid/CPR for Professional Rescuers; babysitting training; responding to emergencies; Workplace Safety Modules, “Slip, Trips and Falls”; preventing disease transmission; Life guarding; Water Safety Instructorships; Waterfront Life guarding; Automated External Defibrillator - (AED) use; Pet CPR and First Aid; Knowing is Mowing; Basics of Sailing; Longfellow’s Whales Tales; Pet First Aid and CPR; Preparing for the Unexpected (emergency/terrorism) and Instructor Training for all our courses.

The community First Aid and CPR class, the most popular of all classes, address responses to family and community emergencies; the mechanics of rescue breathing; and actions which will keep someone alive until professional assistance arrives. The First Aid section underscores assessing and stabilizing the victim until professional help arrives; basic responses to burns, cuts and broken bones; and what to do and not do in emergency situations. CPR trains participants in rescue breathing and compression techniques which can save a life.

The 8-hour instructional classes are offered in several time slots. Two evenings or one Saturday will completed the classes. Upon successful completion of the course and a test, participants receive two Certificates. Childcare providers and day care workers find this class targets their certification requirements.

The chapter also offers Pet First Aid. The course teaches basic lifesaving, using mannequins, for dogs and cats along with how and when to call for emergency assistance; wrapping injuries; identifying signs of breathing distress; and life threatening bleeding and control.

Class instruction is given at either the chapter, 11 State Street in Auburn, or at community sites around the county. Opportunities to volunteer under Health & Safety are varied. Instructors are needed for all classes and IT (Instructor Trainer) are needed to instruct instructors. Both require a considerable time commitment and need for intensive instruction. There are currently 179 instructors of Red Cross classes in Cayuga County who taught 332 courses to 3,108 people in 2001.

Started as a war relief effort to provide life-saving blood for soldiers during WW II, Red Cross Blood Services has grown to become an industry leader. All the technology and science, however, is only made possible by one simple selfless act: an average person takes time out of his/her busy schedule to give the gift of life.

Today, the safety and availability of the blood supply is our highest priority. Cayuga County has over 48 organizations, which sponsor sites for blood drives, and averages 16 drives each month. The availability of dates and sites to donate blood is great. Over 3,775 units of blood were donated in 2001 marking Cayuga County as a very generous community.

None of the programs would be successful without the efforts of many, many volunteers. In 2001, over 500 people volunteered a total of 11,000 hours in duties ranging from office administration to CPR instructor, from disaster responder to greeter at a Blood Drive.

The Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross is available 24 hours day/ 7 days A week to respond to emergency needs. People interested in information about classes or volunteering should call The Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross at 252–9596.