American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness,First Aid/CPR,and Red Cross History

AMERICAN RED CROSS PLAY LIST

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

AMERICAN RED CROSS A SYMBOL OF HOPE YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE!

HOME TOWN HEROES ♥PREPARE♥ ♥VOLUNTEER♥ ♥DONATE♥ ♥GIVE BLOOD♥

♥VOLUNTEER TO HELP SAVE LIVES♥ AMERICAN RED CROSS♥

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? AMERICAN RED CROSS

PET FIRST AID/CPR/FIRST AID/DISASTER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION AMERICAN RED CROSS

PET FIRST AID HEALTH AND SAFETY AMERICAN RED CROSS

First Aid Tips for Pets
Buy the book Take the class

Basic Supplies:
Gauze pads, gauze roll/ bandages, roll of cloth, thermometer, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, Q-tips, instant cold pack, rags/ rubber tubing for tourniquet, First Aid book

Handling an Injured Animal
Any animal injured or in pain can bite or scratch you. Even the friendliest of pets must be handled with care for the safety, of all involved. If you are accidentally bitten or scratched, seek medical attention. Both dog and cat bites can become infected quickly!


CATS AND DOGS

Vital Statistics: Pulse and Heart Rate
Normal resting rates:

Cats: 150-200 bpm
Small dogs: 90-120 bpm
Medium dogs: 70-110 bpm
Large dogs: 60-90 bpm
Pulse should be strong, regular and easy to locate.

Checking the pulse
The easiest place to locate a pulse is the femoral artery in the groin area. Place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg and slide your hand upward until the back of your fingers touches the abdomen. Gently move your fingers back and forth on the inside of the hind leg until you feel the pulsing blood. Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. This will give you the beats per minute (bpm).

Temperature
Normal temp. for dogs and cats: 100-102.5 degrees
Thermometer should be almost clean when removed.
Abnormalities are indicated by blood, diarrhea, or black, tarry stool.

Basic First Aid Procedures
All of the following situations require immediate veterinary care:

For Fractures
Muzzle animal.
Gently lay animal on a board, wooden door, tarp, etc. padded with blankets.
Secure animal to the support.
Do not attempt to set the fracture.
If a limb is broken, wrap the leg in cotton padding, then wrap with a magazine, rolled newspaper, towel or two sticks. Splint should extend one joint above the fracture and one joint below. Secure with tape. Make sure wrap does not constrict blood flow.
If the spine, ribs, hip, etc. appears injured or broken, gently place the animal on the stretcher and immobilize it if possible.

If Bleeding (external)
Muzzle animal.
Press thick gauze pad over wound. Hold firmly until clotting occurs.
If bleeding is severe, apply a tourniquet between the wound and the heart.
Loosen tourniquet for 20 seconds every 15-20 minutes.
A tourniquet is dangerous and should only be used in life-threatening hemorrhaging of a limb. It may result in amputation or disability of the limb.

If Bleeding (internal)
Symptoms: bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum; coughing blood; blood in urine; pale gums; collapse; rapid or weak pulse.
Keep animal as warm and quiet as possible.

Burns
Chemical
Muzzle animal.
Flush immediately with large quantities of cold water.
Severe
Muzzle animal.
Quickly apply ice water compresses.
Treat for shock if necessary.
Shock
Symptoms: weak pulse; shallow breathing; nervousness; dazed appearance.
Often accompanies severe injury or extreme fright.
Keep animal restrained, quiet and warm.
If unconscious, keep head level with rest of body.

Restraint Methods

If your animal is injured, you must restrain him/her for your safety as well as your pet's. Muzzle your pet to restrain it unless it is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or has a mouth injury.

Dogs--Muzzles
Speak and move calmly and quietly.
Have someone restrain the dog with a leash.
Approach dog from the side and behind its head; do not attempt to put muzzle on from the front.
Quickly slip a nylon or wire cage muzzle over nose, secure snugly behind ears.
If a muzzle is not available, you can make one from a strip of gauze, rag, necktie, belt or rope about 3 feet long.
Make a large loop in the center. Quickly slip loop over dog's nose.
Bring ends under chin. Tie snugly behind ears.

Cats--Muzzles
Speak and move calmly and quietly.
Have someone restrain the cat by holding the scruff of its neck firmly. This does not hurt the cat; it just prevents him/her from moving.
Working from behind the cat, quickly slip a nylon muzzle over the cat's face. The muzzle will cover most of his/her face, including the eyes. Secure snugly behind head.
If you are alone, scruff the cat with one hand and put the muzzle over the cat's face with the other. Slide both hands along muzzle straps and secure behind the head.
If a muzzle is not available, one can be made with a rag or a strip of gauze. Make sure that it is carefully placed around the cat's mouth and securely fastened, as cats can escape from these temporary muzzles.

Cats--Body Restraint
Most cats can be restrained by holding the scruff of the neck.
The "Cat Sack" can be used for fractious or very frightened cats. Slip sack over cat from tail to head, zip up appropriate zippers.
Wrap cat in a towel, making, sure his/her front legs are covered and against the body.
Gloves are not recommended for handling cats. They reduce the handler's dexterity and can easily be penetrated by a cat's teeth.


BIRDS

Basic First Aid Procedures
All of the following situations require immediate veterinary care.

Fractures
Wing
Restrain bird by wrapping in a towel or slipping into a sock with the toe cut out.
Leg

Restrain bird by wrapping in a towel or sock, leaving leg exposed.
Splint leg with 2 pieces of adhesive tape placed perpendicular to leg across break site.
Bleeding
Broken "blood" feather (new feather)
Pull feather out gently; bleeding should decrease.
Press finger over removal site until bleeding stops.
Wound or broken nail
Apply pressure to site with finger(s). Bleeding should decrease.
Apply "Quick Stop" powder or styptic to stop bleeding.
Flour or cornstarch can be used in an emergency.
Puncture Wounds
Wrap bird in towel or sock.
See veterinarian: antibiotics are required to prevent infections.

Restraint

Carefully wrap bird in towel, gently folding his/her wings against the body. Keep your hands out of the way of the beak.
Gloves are not recommended for bigger birds. They reduce the handler's dexterity and strong beaks can easily penetrate them.


SMALL MAMMALS AND REPTILES

Restraint

Wrap the animal in a towel or rag, gently folding his/her legs against the body.

Get your copy of Pet First Aid today. It may be the most important purchase you can make for your pet. The purchase of this guide book helps support the disaster relief efforts of the Red Cross in your neighborhood.

A simple first aid kit
Basic supplies

Dog owners can treat minor injuries for their pets if they have the appropriate remedies, tools, and equipment available. The following items were included in a first aid kit that the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association gave to police dog handlers at a recent workshop. A home first aid kit needs many of the same items.

* Gauze sponges -- 50 four-by-four inch sponges, two per envelope
* Triple antibiotic ointment
* Rubbing alcohol
* Ear syringe -- two ounce capacity
* Ace self-adhering athletic bandage -- three-inch width
* White petroleum jelly (Vaseline or similar)
* Eye wash
* Sterile, non-adherent pads
* Pepto Bismol tablets
* Generic Benadryl capsules -- 25mg, for allergies
* Hydrocortisone acetate -- one percent cream
* Sterile stretch gauze bandage -- three inches by four yards
* Buffered aspirin
* Dermicil hypoallergenic cloth tape one inch by 10 yards
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Kaopectate tablets maximum strength
* Bandage scissors
* Custom splints
* Vet Rap bandage

Other suggested items were:

* Blanket
* Tweezers
* Muzzle
* Hemostats
* Rectal thermometer
* Ziplock bags
* Paperwork, including the dog's health record, medications, local and national poison control numbers, regular veterinary clinic hours and telephone numbers, and emergency clinic hours and telephone number.

PET RESCUE STICKER ASPCA WEBSITE

CHILD/INFANT/ADULT/CPR HEALTH AND SAFETY AMERICAN RED CROSS

CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation)

CPR-Adult Victim

If, during the primary survey, you determine that the victim is not breathing, give 2 slow breaths, and then determine that the victim has no pulse, you must begin CPR.

Correct Hand Position: First, kneel next to the victim's chest. Find the notch at the tip of the breastbone where the lower ribs meet the sternum, called the xyphoid process. Remember, if you push directly down on this puppy, you will likely rupture the vicitm's liver and perhaps a few other vital organs, and all the CPR in the world couldn't help him then. Place your middle finger on this notch, and place your index finger down next to your middle finger. That way, you are at least a good two fingers away from the xyphoid danger spot. Next, place the heel of your other hand on the victim's sternum next to your index finger. Place your other hand directly on top and interlace your fingers. Straighten your arms and lock your elbows. Your shoulders should be directly over your hands.Each chest compression should push the sternum down 1 1/2-2 inches.

Count aloud("one and two and three..." etc.) as you do the compressons, maintaining a smooth, steady rhythm. When you give breaths, be sure to open the victim's airway with a head tilt and a chin lift.

Do cycles of 15 chest compressions and 2 slow breaths.

After 4 continuous cycles, check for a pulse. If there is no pulse, continue CPR, beginning with chest compressions and rechecking for a pulse every few minutes. If you do find a pulse, check for breathing. If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, go to Rescue Breathing.

CPR-Child Victim

If, during the primary survey, you determine that your child victim is not breathing, give 2 slow breaths, and determine that the victim has no pulse, you must begin CPR.

Correct Hand Position: First, kneel beside the victim's chest. Find the notch where the lower ribs meet the sternum, called the xyphoid process. Remember, don't ever push directly down on it!! If you don't remember why, go over Adult CPR until you never forget. With your middle finger, place your index finger down next to your middle finger, and place the heel of the same hand directly above where you had your index finger. Place your other hand gently on the child's forehead to maintain an open airway. Lock your elbow and push straight down, with your shoulder directly over your hand. Each compression should push the sternum down 1-1 1/2 inches. Count aloud("one and two and three..." etc.) as you do the compressions, maintaining a smooth, steady rhythm. When you give breaths, be sure to open the victim's airway with a head tilt and a chin lift.

Do cycles of 5 chest compressions and 1 slow breath.

After you do CPR for 1 minute(about 12 cycles), check for a pulse. If there is no pulse, continue CPR, beginning with chest compressions and rechecking for a pulse every few minutes. If you find a pulse, check for breathing. If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, go to Rescue Breathing.



CPR-Infant Victim

If, during the primary survey, you determine that your infant victim is not breathing, give 2 slow breaths, and determine that the victim has no pulse, you must begin CPR.

Correct Hand Position: First, kneel beside the infant, placing one hand on his or her head to maintain an open airway. Imagine a line across the infant's chest between the infant's nipples. Place your idex finger on the sternum just below this imaginary line; then, place the pads of the next two fingers on the sternum next to your index finger. If you can feel the notch where the lower ribs meet the sternum, called the xyphoid process, move your fingers up a little bit. Remember why? Good. Raise your index finger, and use the pads of the two fingers next to your index finger to compress the infant's chest 1/2-1 inch. Maintain a smooth steady rhythm while doing compressions. Be sure to do a very slight head tilt and chin lift to open the airway when giving breaths.

Do cycles of 5 chest compressions and 1 breath.

After 1 minute of continuous CPR(about 12 cycles), check the brachial pulse. If there is no pulse, continue CPR, beginning with chest compressions and rechecking for a pulse every few minutes. If you find a pulse, check for breathing. If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, go to Rescue Breathing.

AED AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

FIRST AID DIAGRAM HEALTH AND SAFETY

CPR CHART HEALTH AND SAFETY

STEPS FOR CHOKING EMERGENCIES FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN HEALTH AND SAFETY

STEP BY STEP INFORMATION ON HOW TO HELP A CHILD/INFANT WHO IS CHOKING

FIRST AID/CPR HEALTH AND SAFETY ADULT,CHILD AND INFANT

EMERGENCY FIRST AID ABC'S OF IMMEDIATE FIRST AID ACTION A Open the Airway B Check for Breathing C Check for Circulation

AMERICAN RED CROSS WATER SAFETY

PDF PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE OR LIFE JACKET WEARING A LIFE JACKET SAVES LIVES

GIVE BLOOD GIVE LIFE AMERICAN RED CROSS

AMERICAN RED CROSS DONATE BLOOD SAVE A LIFE

AMERICAN RED CROSS HELP SAVE SAVE LIVES DONATE BLOOD

DONATE BLOOD SAVE A LIFE STARTING WITH YOUR OWN

DONATE BLOOD TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ANIMATED BLOOD

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY:

Prepare Your Home and Family

Prepare Now
Prepare Now for Peace of Mind Later - A family health and safety guide

Home fires are the most common disaster that the Red Cross responds to and also the most preventable. Families need to take a few simple precautions to avoid tragedies, such as having working smoke alarms on every level of their homes and having family fire escape plans in place to help get everyone out of the house safely. The American Red Cross recommends the following when creating your family escape plan:

* Identify two ways to escape from every room in the home.
* Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
* Select a safe location away from the home where your family can meet after escaping.
* Consider purchasing and storing escape ladders for rooms above ground level and make sure to learn how to use them.
* If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out.
* If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke.
* Before escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second escape route.
* If smoke, heat or flames block both of your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Place a rolled towel underneath the door. Signal for help by waving a brightly colored cloth or shining a flashlight at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and let them know your exact location inside the home.
* Once you've escaped, stay out.

NATURAL DISASTERS CAN STRIKE ANY WHERE AT ANY TIME THE QUESTION IS ARE YOU PREPARED?

GET PREPARED! MAKE A PLAN BUILD A KIT GET TRAINED VOLUNTEER AND GIVE BLOOD

AMERICAN RED CROSS CONTACT CARD

BE RED CROSS READY 1. GET A KIT 2. MAKE A PLAN 3. BE INFORMED

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS STEP 1. GET A KIT

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS STEP 2. MAKE A PLAN

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS STEP 3. BE INFORMED

AMERICAN RED CROSS SAFE FAMILIES READY FOR ANYTHING

FIRE SAFETY TIPS AMERICAN RED CROSS

HOW WILL YOU RECOVER FINANCIALLY FROM A DISASTER? AMERICAN RED CROSS

BE RED CROSS READY LARGE BOX

SAFE AND WELL LIST AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross Safe and Well Website, accessible via www.redcross.org, is an internet-based tool that families can integrate into their family communications plan and also one that the Red Cross will use to help disaster victims communicate from inside the disaster-affected areas to loved ones outside. People within a disaster area can register themselves as “safe and well” by selecting and posting standard messages for friends and family that indicate they are safe and well at a shelter, home or hotel, and will make contact when they are able. Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.

The Safe and Well Website complies with all privacy and child protection laws. Because of these privacy concerns, no location information is publicly displayed on this website. The results of a successful search only display a loved one’s first name, last name, an as of date, and the Safe and Well messages they posted.

Here are some additional items to include in presentations to promote preparedness before disaster strikes:

Family Communications Plan

* Prepare a list of multiple contacts, including family and friends, that are unlikely to be affected by the same disaster you are experiencing
* Make sure that the list of contacts includes the contact’s phone numbers, email, and address
* Develop several options for re-establishing communication during times of emergency (phone contact with a designated out-of-state friend, email distribution list for family members, use of the Safe and Well Website, etc.)
* Initiate your plan ahead of forecasted event; contact family and loved ones if you move or evacuate before the disaster strikes.

BE RED CROSS READY! AMERICAN RED CROSS ANIMATED BANNER

AMERICAN RED CROSS I'M READY TO HELP BANNER

AMERICAN RED CROSS YOUR HELP COUNTS

HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE COUNTLESS OF CRISES AROUND THE WORLD BANNER

AMERICAN RED CROSS DONATE THE RED CROSS WEBSITE(http://www.redcross.org)

AMERICAN RED CROSS DISASTER BANNER

RED CROSS WITH A BLUE AND WHITE BACKGROUND

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SYMBOL OF HOPE FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE WORST DISASTERS

AMERICAN RED CROSS EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLE(ERV)

DONATING TO THE RED CROSS DISASTER RELIEF FUND ENABLES THE RED CROSS TO MEET THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF THIS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER DISASTERS EACH YEAR

AMERICAN RED CROSS DISASTER RELIEF VEHICLE

AMERICAN RED CROSS MILE HIGH CHAPTER DISASTER RELIEF

ARMED FORCES EMERGENCY SERVICES AMERICAN RED CROSS INFORMATION

Military and Red Cross Partnership

The American Red Cross has a long history of providing service to members of America's military and their families during conflicts, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. Beginning in the mid-1800s, Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, risked her life on the battlefields of the Civil War to tend to fallen soldiers. She nursed the wounded, wrote letters from wounded soldiers to their families and exerted every effort to get the critically ill and wounded to or near their families. She helped to keep the morale of the troops high. Clara Barton's compassionate services during the Civil War foreshadowed the great volunteer services later provided by the American Red Cross to members of the armed forces and their families and to veterans.

The Red Cross has been providing services for America's military since the Spanish-American War:

Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War of 1898 was the first time the American Red Cross provided services to members of the American armed forces at war. When the United States declared war on Spain, Red Cross President Clara Barton, age 76, traveled to hospitals recruiting nurses to work for the Army at medical camps in Florida and Cuba. Clara Barton, along with Red Cross nurses, went to Cuba to provide nursing care, medical supplies, food and other necessities to American service members. The Red Cross also provided a non-medical service for the armed forces - carrying on a limited communications service that handled inquiries from families. These efforts to relieve suffering did not go unnoticed. In 1900, the U.S. Congress granted the Red Cross its first charter. In 1905 the Red Cross was chartered a second time to "provide volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of the Armed Forces in time of war, in accordance with the spirit and conditions of the conference of Geneva....To act in matters of voluntary relief and in accord with the military authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States and their Armed Forces...."

World War I On the brink of war with Germany in 1916, the Surgeon General asked that the American Red Cross organize 58 base hospitals in France and elsewhere. When the U.S. went to war in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson appointed a War Council to run the Red Cross. As the war continued, American Red Cross employees and volunteers provided medical and recreational services for the military at home and abroad. The war increased the awareness for the needs of military families. The Red Cross established a Home Service Program with emphasis on financial, social and medical problems and communications. They also pioneered the development of psychiatric nursing programs at veterans hospitals, made artificial limbs and helped rehabilitate amputees and blinded veterans. Eighteen thousand Red Cross nurses provided much of the medical care for the American military during World War I, and 4,800 Red Cross ambulance drivers, including John Dos Passos and Ernest Hemingway, provided first aid on the front lines. The American Red Cross established 22 front-line canteens in Europe, serving drinks, food, and encouragement to passing troops, ambulance and truck drivers and to wounded service members who lay on stretchers outside operating rooms. In France alone, Red Cross canteens served more than 15 million mobile troops and 92,000 wounded. During World War I, 296 American Red Cross nurses and 127 American Red Cross ambulance drivers died in service to humanity.

World War II When the U.S. entered World War II in 1941, America once again turned to the Red Cross to support troops overseas and at home. The Red Cross responded and expanded its services. More than 104,000 registered nurses recruited by the American Red Cross served in military hospitals at home and overseas. The only organization authorized by the U.S. government to provide canteens on military posts, the American Red Cross again offered a comforting oasis for troops and support personnel. Red Cross employees and volunteers also provided emergency message services, as required by the Congressional Charter. Twenty-seven million American Red Cross packages were distributed to American and Allied prisoners of war, providing life-sustaining supplemental rations. During World War II, the American Red Cross provided social workers and recreation specialists to ease the discomfort of newly-drafted civilians. Clubs and club mobiles operated in rest and recreation areas in the field and at military hospitals, hospital ships and hospital trains. In the years leading up to World War II, Dr. Charles Drew found a way to dry blood plasma, extending its useful life from days to weeks and making it possible to ship massive amounts of plasma to military members in desperate need overseas. Organized at the request of the Surgeon General, the American Red Cross blood donor project added a new dimension to Red Cross services and collected 13.3 million units of blood for American servicemen. 78 Red Cross workers died while serving overseas during World War II.

Korean War American Red Cross services grew during the Korean War. President Harry Truman established the Federal blood program in 1951, designating the Red Cross as the blood collecting agency for defense needs, and more than 5 million pints of blood were collected for the armed forces. At the request of General Douglas MacArthur, the Red Cross expanded its emergency mobile recreation service, serving not only American troops, but all United Nations forces. Eventually, there were 24 Red Cross canteen and club mobile units operating in Korea, including those at airfields and at a mobile surgical hospital. The American Red Cross provided emergency communication from family members about illnesses, deaths and births throughout the war, a free "first-call-home" program for those wounded in action and millions of envelopes and sheets of paper so wounded service members could write letters to home. When the armistice was signed in 1953, representatives from the American Red Cross and the Korean Red Cross ensured the smooth transfer of nearly 90,000 prisoners of war during "Operation Big Switch." Two workers gave their lives in service to the American Red Cross during the Korean Conflict.

The Korean War is the longest war in the history of the world. Technically, the United Nations is still at war with North Korea. U.S. troops have served in large numbers in South Korea since 1953. The Red Cross maintained a mobile recreation program to provide morale activities for members of the U.S. armed forces from 1953 until 1973 when the program was closed. Approximately 800 staff members served in this program during its existence. Red Cross staff have been assigned in South Korea continuously since 1953 providing emergency communications to members of the military and their families. They also provide other Red Cross services including health and safety training, disaster preparedness and relief and volunteer programs. Today, there are 14 Red Cross staff members assigned in nine locations in South Korea supporting the 37,000 members of the U.S. military and their families. If hostilities were to break out on the Korean peninsula, these staff members would remain to support the wartime emergency communications needs of the service members and their families.

Vietnam In 1962, the American Red Cross sent its first paid field staff to Vietnam to assist the growing number of service members at various bases and hospitals. At the height of its involvement in 1968, 480 American Red Cross field directors, hospital personnel and recreation workers served throughout Southeast Asia. In response to a request by the military, American Red Cross club mobile workers brought recreation to an average of 280,500 service members each month. They logged more than 2 million miles in jeeps, trucks and helicopters during the program's seven-year history. American Red Cross workers shared the hardships and privations of war with the military. Five Red Cross staff members gave their lives. Many others were injured as they helped service members resolve personal problems or get home when emergency leave was granted because of death or serious illness in their immediate family. When Vietnam veterans returned to the United States, American Red Cross employees and volunteers concentrated on helping them readjust to civilian life, often assisting them with paperwork connected with their benefits.

Bay of Pigs Invasion The American Red Cross and the Cuban Red Cross joined efforts in 1963 to help the Cuban Families Committee arrange the release of 751 Cuban exiles and their families following the aborted Bay of Pigs invasion. Following their release, American Red Cross volunteers distributed comfort items to the former prisoners, staffed canteens, assisted with transportation and temporary housing arrangements and rendered nursing services.

Operation Desert Shield/Storm (Persian Gulf War) Five days after the launch of Operation Desert Shield in August 1990, the first American Red Cross workers arrived in the Persian Gulf region. Over the next year a total of 158 American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services staff worked and lived with the men and women they were there to support and facing the same dangers of war. Red Cross staff carried 215,000 emergency messages to and from the troops and provided support and comfort. Back home, American Red Cross employees and volunteers aided more than 4,700 service members and their families with $1.72 million in emergency financial assistance and other services. In fulfilling their duties in the Persian Gulf area, seven American Red Cross workers received the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

Operation Restore Hope in Somalia American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services workers were deployed to Somalia in December 1992. They lived and worked in the same rustic conditions and dangerous environment as U.S. troops in Mogadishu. Between December 1992 and April 1994, 18 staff members relayed almost 11,000 emergency messages relating to death or critical illness of a family member or a birth of a new baby. Staff also distributed items to the troops donated by the American people. In January and February 1993, they distributed more than 20,000 blank Valentine Day cards to service members to send home to families and friends.

Operation Support Hope in Rwanda In the summer of 1994, three Red Cross staff members supported the humanitarian U.S. military mission in Rwanda. They deployed with troops from V Corps in Europe to Kigali. The mission lasted approximately eight weeks.

Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti The first Red Cross team arrived in Haiti with troops of the XVIII Airborne Corps. From January 1994 until April 1996, 17 Red Cross workers deployed to live and work alongside the members of the U.S. military. Staff served at Camp-Haitian and Port-au-Prince. More than 2,300 service members and their families received emergency communications assistance. The American Red Cross distributed quality of life items donated by the American people. These included such things as blank greeting cards for the troops to send home to family and friends, videos, playing cards and books. They also ran a canteen serving coffee, cold drinks, cookies, candy, crackers and other assorted goods.

Operation Sea Signal in Cuba Between September 1994 and August 1995, four Red Cross staff members provided emergency communications support to the U.S. Military Task Force working with Cuban and Haitian refugees at Guantanamo Bay as a result of Operation Uphold Democracy.

Operation Vigilant Warrior in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia To support the significant military build up in the Gulf area, seven Red Cross staff deployed to Camp Doha, Kuwait and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Staff provided emergency communications support between October 1994 and January 1995.

Operation Vigilant Sentinel in Kuwait Between August 1995 and January 1996, two Red Cross staff provided emergency communications support to members of the military sent to Kuwait in response to military activities in Iraq.

Operation Joint Endeavor/Joint Guard/Task Force Eagle in Croatia, Hungary and Bosnia Between January 1996 and October 2002, 128 Red Cross staff members served in Croatia, Hungary and Bosnia. Red Cross offices in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, Lukavac and Tuzla, Bosnia and Tasar, Hungary handled more than 41,000 emergency messages during this operation. Staff operated 24/7 canteens serving coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cold drinks. They distributed snack items donated by the American people and visited service members at outlying camps. The Red Cross office at Tuzla closed in October 2002 because of the minimal number of emergency messages being received and the expanded military infrastructure available to the service members. Emergency messages continue to be delivered through the Red Cross office in Stuttgart, Germany.

Operation Intrinsic Action in Kuwait Thirty-two Red Cross staff began supporting U.S. service members deploying to Kuwait in March 1996 and continue to do so today. The Red Cross office at Camp Doha, Kuwait serves all U.S. military members in Kuwait. The staff provide a canteen, video and book libraries, TV room with movies, games, puzzles and a place to relax. The Red Cross office is appropriately named "The Desert Oasis." Staff members visit outlying areas where U.S. troops are living and working.

Operation Desert Thunder in Kuwait With the buildup of U.S. military forces in Kuwait for Operation Desert Thunder, six Red Cross staff were deployed to support the increased population in the area. They relayed more than 1,000 emergency messages between February and July 1998. They also provided morale support by distributing books, videos, games, candy, coffee and cold drinks. Three staff were assigned with the troops in the Kabal area in northern Kuwait while the others remained at Camp Doha, Kuwait.

Operation Southern Watch in Saudi Arabia. Thirty-six Red Cross staff were deployed to Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, from March 1998 through June 2003. They supported members of the military in Saudi Arabia and also provided emergency communications services to U.S. service members in the Gulf region outside Kuwait and Bahrain. The staff averaged 4,500 emergency messages a year. They also provided a canteen, videos, books, snacks and hygiene items. These items were also distributed to service members throughout the region. They averaged 60 Red Cross volunteers from the ranks of service members deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base. Included among their volunteers were several British airmen and soldiers who enjoy being involved with the American Red Cross.

Operation Joint Endeavor/Task Force Falcon in Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo In April 1999, the first three Red Cross staff arrived in Albania supporting V Corps troops from Europe. After a month, the team moved to Camp Bondsteel and Camp Montieth in Kosovo. Fifty-eight staff supported this operation from April 1999 through August 2003, handling more than 12,150 emergency messages. In addition, they traveled to outlying areas to visit with the service members and distribute donated items. The canteen was a very popular place with a large video and book library in addition to games and puzzles. The Red Cross office was also visited frequently by coalition forces.

Operation Enduring Freedom in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan The first Red Cross staff members arrived in Uzbekistan on Christmas Day 2002. They lived in austere conditions and served all U.S. troops in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. After approximately 220 days, the Red Cross moved to Bagram AB, Afghanistan, to service the same area. After another 90 days, another office was opened at Kandahar. The coverage for the entire area was consolidated into one office at Bagram AB in August 2003. The staff have handed more than 6,500 emergency messages from December 2002 through today (July 2004). The office at Bagram also runs a canteen with video and book libraries. Twenty-nine staff have supported this operation through today (July 2004).

Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait/Iraq The first 12 Red Cross staff arrived in Kuwait on January 25, 2003, to support this operation. As of July 2004, 81 Red Cross staff have served in Kuwait and Iraq supporting the U.S. military. This is the largest Red Cross deployment since Operation Desert Shield/Storm. The staff members have lived and worked in the same environment and conditions as the U.S. military. The staff have handled more than ♥250,000♥ emergency messages, distributed more than ♥200,000♥ comfort kits, ♥70,000♥ calling cards, ♥100,000♥ blank greeting cards, ♥56,000♥ boxes of quality of life items, and provided canteen services in their offices in Kuwait and Iraq. There are currently 10 staff members serving in Iraq and six staff members serving in Kuwait

ARMED FORCES EMERGENCY SERVICES

ARMED FORCES EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

AMERICAN RED CROSS SYMBOLS WITH SOLDIERS

SOLDIER WITH AN AMERICAN FLAG

AMERICAN FLAG WITH A SOLDIERS

SOLDIER SALUTING AT AN AMERICAN FLAG

RED CROSS RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT THE POWER OF HUMANITY