Dear Pasadena Chamber member,
Recent events in China, New York and Boston have reminded us once again of our special responsibility of leadership when a disaster strikes. At such a time, our employees, residents and in fact the entire community will expect direction and support from its leaders. For these reasons, I am involved with the Red Cross and invite you to join me in learning about how we can help by Preparing.
Why Be Prepared? Your employees, their families and the community count on you.
Is Your Business Prepared?
- 15-40 percent of businesses fail following a natural or manmade disaster.1
- 94 percent of small business owners believe a disaster could seriously disrupt their business within the next two years.2
- 51 percent of Americans have experienced at least one emergency situation where they lost utilities for at least three days, had to evacuate and could not return home, could not communicate with family members or had to provide first aid to others.3
Are Your Employees Ready?
- Only 2 in 10 Americans feel prepared for a catastrophic event.4
- Close to 60 percent of Americans are wholly unprepared for a disaster of any kind.4
- 54 percent of Americans don't prepare because they believe a disaster will not affect them.5
- Only 1 in 10 American households has taken the appropriate preparedness steps: a family emergency plan, an emergency supply kit and training in First Aid and CPR/AED.4
- 82 percent of Americans agree “If someone could make it easy for me to be prepared, I’d do it”.4
Sources: 1 Insurance Information Institute, 2000, 2 American Red Cross and FedEx Small Business Survey, 2007, 3 American Red Cross/Harris Poll Survey, 2009, 4 American Red Cross Preparedness Survey, 2006, 5 The Aftershock of Katrina and Rita: Public Not Moved to Prepare, 2005
Your participation and awareness of the services and resources will provide a strong platform during a disaster. While your staff may have specific duties, you are the leader folks will look to and that is why your participation is encouraged.
I have attached a brochure outlining the ways you can become involved (and have also provided the same information at the bottom of this message).
Locally we are supporting the idea of a Preparedness Academy next spring to help businesses become better prepared and share best practices in Disaster Preparedness. This Academy would be a full day event featuring expert panels designed for those responsible for emergency and business continuity plans. Similar Academies are held throughout the Country and have been well received. Please let Ben Green, our local Red Cross CEO know if you’re interested in planning, attending or sponsoring this important Academy. His email is Ben.Green@RedCross.org.
Sincerely,
Paul Little
Pasadena Chamber
Find out more by downloading the brochure here:
----------------
Ready Rating™: Online Assessment: Self-guided program designed to boost emergency preparedness using a 123-point online assessment to help businesses and organizations measure their level of preparedness and build a disaster plan. Includes: • Evaluation of organizational preparedness, Access to the Business & Organization, Program Guide, Customized recommendations for improvement and Ready Rating™ member seal. Who Participates: Facility Management, Human Resources, Cost: Free
PrepareBiz: In Person Presentation: Basic presentation focused on preparedness for individuals, businesses, and Ready Rating™. Minimum Audience: 20, Includes: Presentation with brief video, Preparedness Information, Survey (Post Presentation), Add Citizens CPR* Compression-Only to PrepareBiz for $15/pp
Time: 45 minutes, booking: 30 Days Advance Notice, Cost: Free
Business Simulation: First Aid Emergency Drill* Test your business emergency plan and first responders’ ability to provide care in a realistic emergency setting. Includes: Planning Meeting to discuss drill components, Onsite Drill, Drill Debrief, Report of emergency preparedness capabilities, Who Participates: Facility Management, Employees, **Requires Executive Management approval** Time: 2 hours (Planning + drill + debrief) Booking: 30 Days Advance Notice, Cost: Contact Red Cross Preparedness
Ready Certified™: Full Scale Planning*, The most sophisticated training and preparedness that the Red Cross offers to corporations focused on: Supplies, Training, Drills, and Onsite Assessment. Includes: Initial Assessment, Evaluation & Emergency Plan Consultation, Emergency AED**, Food, Water, and Supplies, First Aid/CPR/AED Training for your employees • BERTT (Business Emergency Response Team Training): Advanced training in triage, light search and rescue, psychological resiliency and evacuation • Emergency and Disaster Drills that reinforce learned skills in a controlled environment. Certification Plan, Ready Certified™ components may be customized for your needs. Who Participates: Facility Management, Employees, **Requires Executive Management approval** Time, Booking, Cost: Varies. Actual cost determined by square feet and employee size.Contact Red Cross Preparedness Health & Safety Services for details.
Free Apps that can save lives:
Download our Preparedness Apps, Search “American Red Cross” in the iTunes or Google Play App stores. First Aid, Earthquake, Wildfire, Hurricane and Tornado
Questions are to schedule a program:
Email: OutreachLosAngelesCA@Redcross.Org or call: 1 800 REDCROSS