By By Adrienne McKenzie
Are you ready?
That was the question of the morning at the American Red Cross’ Business Before Hours, sponsored by the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, held on Wednesday morning.
Public relations coordinator Elizabeth Saunders said the American Red Cross program “Ready When the Time Comes (RWTC)” is a great way to train businesses for if a disaster occurs.
According to the RWTC Web site, this American Red Cross program is a way to prepare the corporate world in the instance of a local, large-scale disaster.
RWTC volunteers will be trained for many incidents, including hurricanes, fires, storms, floods, tornados, explosions, etc., the site states.
RWTC works by allowing companies to partner with their local American Red Cross chapter. Employees are recruited as volunteers and then trained by the Red Cross as disaster-response volunteers.
For more information regarding RWTC, call 410-624-2000 ext. 2028.
Also at the Business Before Hours, Red Cross volunteer and retired employee Susan Smith demonstrated the proper way to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Smith showed basic techniques on CPR on both an adult-sized and baby-sized dummy.
American Red Cross’ Roger Reetz spoke about running the emergency response vehicles (ERV).
Reetz said the ERV crew is not simply about providing necessities like food, beverages, recovery supplies, etc.
Local American Red Cross director Joan Hackman appreciated Atmore area businesses for contributed to the Business Before Hours including McDonald’s and Southern Family Markets.
After the Chamber event, American Red Cross advisory board members met. Advisory board members include pastor Michael Wilson, Judy Surles, Foster Kizer, Pam Martin and Wanda Hall.
The advisory board members discussed a fundraising campaign Atmore area businesses can become involved in. On June 5, there will be a kickoff of the “Heroes” campaign, according to Hackman. The kickoff will be held for local “heroes.” To be a hero and to learn about the campaign, contact Pam Martin at Walgreens.
More information will be available about the “Heroes” campaign and kickoff after the advisory board meets this week.