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Red Cross open house aims to help attendees plan ahead for disasters

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Tony DiNicola

South Central Wisconsin - American Red Cross - Disaster operations/incidents responded to, and number of families financially-assisted July 1 through June 30

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Volunteer Jeff Lowery uses a grinder to strip the adhesive off a floor at the Janesville Red Cross office after removing some carpeting. The offices are being spruced up in preparation for an open house in late September.

JANESVILLE — Red Cross volunteer Rosie Gaulke has responded to so many fires she’s lost count.

But it’s easy for her to remember how many of the families were prepared before disaster hit.

“I’ve only run across one family that was truly prepared,’’ said Gaulke, a three-year disaster action team volunteer.

Members of the family had a copy of their contact numbers, so they were able to call someone in the dead of winter in the middle of the night to take their children, she said.

Family members kept their cell phones by their beds and their purses and wallets near the exit door. They had planned who would collect each child and where they would meet outside.

“It was a bad fire, but because they had smoke alarms, they were alerted and able to get out quicker. So, fortunately for them, being prepared was not a matter of life and death,’’ she said.

Others might think they are prepared but aren’t, Gaulke said.

The local Red Cross between July 1, 2009, and June 30 responded to 51 disasters—mostly fires—and helped 169 families, the most families in at least six years.

In an effort to drive down those numbers, the local Red Cross educated 456 people about disaster preparedness during its most recent fiscal year, said Kelsey Burton, regional Red Cross fundraising manager.

The South Central Wisconsin Chapter, which serves Rock, Green and Jefferson counties plus the city of Whitewater and South Beloit, Ill., is using a Sept. 21 open house to remind people about the importance of being prepared.

September is Disaster Preparedness Month.

“We want to educate people about what we do, remind the community we are here and that we always provide these services—disaster response and training and education classes—plus just to let them know about all the programs we have going on,” Burton said.

It’s also a chance for the community to get acquainted with chapter staff and volunteers and see the results of its recent facelift. The $10,000 makeover, done primarily by volunteers, includes new carpet and fresh paint, said David Diestler, chapter executive director.

Preparation for individuals and families can start by picking up a copy of the brochure “Be Red Cross Ready: 3 actions you should take to be prepared in emergencies.’’

For businesses, the Red Cross offer, “Preparing Your Business for the Unthinkable: Disasters can happen anywhere, often with little or no warning.’’

Gaulke urged families to think about the worst.

“Talk to your children. Have a plan. Make sure they understand what happens, what they need to do,” she said.

“All these things need to be reinforced and not just in school or by the fire department. This has to happen at home by the family and with the parents.”

How to help

Local facilities maintenance distributor Grainger has given $7,500 to the South Central Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross to provide disaster relief through a new Disaster Partners Program.

As lead sponsor, Grainger donated the money so local the Red Cross can provide resources for critical disaster relief efforts. This includes shelter, food, clothing, medical supplies and counseling for those impacted by future disasters in Rock, Green and Jefferson counties, plus the cities of Whitewater and South Beloit, Ill.

Others wishing to help can call (608) 754-4497 or visit its website at scwiredcross.org.