Help Honor A Veteran at the Veteran's Stand Down 2011

Millions of American men and women who served in the military have a difficult time re-joining civilian life.

For nearly a decade American service members have been engaged in two brutal wars in the Middle East. Fresno's Vince Garcia served two tours in Iraq with the Marine Corps. "After I got out I kind of missed the whole military aspect of it and not being in the service."

Clifford Collins served in the late 1980's when drugs were taking hold of many young Americans. Years later he and his wife ended up at the Poverlello House. But last year's 'Stand Down' Brought them new resources, a place to live and a new focus on life.

"Furthering my education. Cause I want to go back to school," said Collins. "I want to go to Fresno City and become a substance abuse counselor. That's what I want to do."

Lingering fall out among veterans of all ages led to the so-called 'Stand Down' ... in war it is a rest from battle.

For three days individuals and families will rest, recharge and connect with available community resources at this years 'Stand Down'.

Too often when the military pay check is gone ... They are left without income.

John Schuler said, "They're coming home from Iraq, Afghanistan wherever and they're moving in to mom and dad's garage or sister Mary's couch and their homeless."

Schuler is a Vietnam era vet looking out for the new generation and so is Keith Rudolph.

"I don't know how they do it," said Rudolph. "They go two, three, four tours. Like John says the family is the one who is suffering."

For current era vets like Garcia his support for fellow veterans has become his work in civilian life. "It's a good investment because you're giving back to those who sacrificed so much for the day to day freedom we utilize every single day."

On September 21st ... The annual 3-day 'Stand Down' will happen here. V.F.W post 89-hundred will open to vets of all ages to 'Stand Down' from their burdens.

Donations in this recession have not yet met the costs, but organizers hope the community will help meet the needs of every veteran needing to 'Stand Down'.

The Not So Serious Side of Preparedness.

It's National Preparedness Month, so we decided to ask the Central Valley Staff some questions to help you, our wonderful readers, get to know us better. Throughout September, you will get to meet our team and see The Not So Serious Side of Preparedness.

"The A-Team"

April Henry, Regional Territory Sales Manager, Health & Safety Services

Anya Goosev, Regional Community Resource Manager

How long have you been with the Red Cross?
April: 1 year.
Anya: 1 year, one month, seven days.


What's your most feared natural or man-made disaster?
April:  Well the mommy side of me says the most natural disaster there is, is when you have a toddler and the diaper mass-destruct’s and goes everywhere…. But I think you are really talking about BIG natural disasters (though the diaper thing can seem huge when you have to clean your child, the carpet, the furniture, the clothes and then finally yourself) but in reality- I am terrified of FIRES! Big, explosive wildfires. 
Anya:  Tsunami.  Nothing is scarier than a series of waves approaching land at 100 feet high and moving at 100 miles an hour!


What's the strangest or most important thing in your emergency preparedness kit?
April:  Aside from the obvious and the child issues listed above…have you seen the  things you can make with toilet paper!  It is one amazing product.  So if I had it and I was out in the wilds, and couldn’t get to a shelter or a hotel- I could weave myself a blanket, and then I could wrap that extra soft kind around a log or my emergency backpack to create a soft cushion for a place to lay my head. 

If I’d left without my clothes, I could make an amazing outfit and even a sun sheltering hat- so I would be able to have a second set of clothes.  Not only that, the hat is quite functional!

And while we’ve all played the toilet paper mummy game, it would also come in quite handy to do the same wrap on someone with true first aid needs. 
 
Add a little water to some of that toilet paper, and you can make toilet paper wads, also known as toys balls for your children while your having to fill the time for them during the disaster.  They won’t get hurt playing with their new toys, and of course its still functional for its true purpose!

When the toilet paper has all been used- your left with the roller…and that is a whole other item full of uses! 

Of course by necessity- you can make binoculars or the kids can play telephone.  They can also sing into it to entertain everyone while they are at the shelter – it will amplify your voice…  or oh my gosh, that means it would also be good as a bullhorn if you needed to shout for real!  We could make them into bracelets to go with our toilet paper attire.

But, if you are in a disaster where you really need fire (not the wildfires I am terrified of) you can stuff a roller with leaves and it is a great fire starter.  And they make great storage.  They work as a splint.
They are green and biodegradable.  They are a win-win product!  

Anya:   Since I will be prepared for my most feared natural disaster, I have in my kit: 

Adult sized Snoopy lifejacket – not only will this important life saving device keep me afloat it will bring back happy childhood memories

Boat & Oar – The boat is self-explained, the aftermath of a tsunami is flooding….so, my boat will keep me above water and dry.  Since gasoline will most likely not be available for my boat, an oar will be necessary to maneuver around.

Vibram five finger shoes – No flippy floppies on this boat!  I wouldn’t want to be swimming/walking through the aftermath of a Tsunami and loose a little piggy!

Whistle – Just in case I am stranded and need to let others know that I have survived!

12 gauge shotgun – My thoughts are that Zombies will come out in the event of any natural disaster.  Although we see them mostly in movies, but I think Zombies can attack during ANY disaster and being prepared with a 12 gauge I will be very well equipped to double tap and take them out!

Smokey Joe– This little Webber is so essential (BBQ).  It’s small and easy to carry; perfect little fit on the boat.  It serves two purposes: send smoke signals for others to find me and, I gotta eat!    

September is National Velociraptors Month!

My good friends, I believe it is important to acknowledge the potential for disasters every day and prepare for them accordingly. A hurricane? Sure. An earthquake? Certainly. Velociraptors? INEVITABLE.

September is National Velociraptor Awareness Month and "Velocireadiness" is imperative to the survival of our species in the face of the egg-eating, pack-hunting, tricky wood-chipper of a dinosaur: The Velociraptor.

I answer your questions below based my own expertise and the FAQs from Velociready.org, a fine non-profit dedicated to increasing awareness of Velociraptors and their eating habits...mostly...you.
Dear Alex,
In the event of a velociraptor attack, do you recommend standing in a doorway?Thanks, Eden
Dear Eaten,
First of all, we don't even recommend doorways for earthquakes.
Second of all, if you see a raptor approaching and you're standing in a doorway, I GUARANTEE,you've already been eaten by the one you didn't know was there. Drop, cover, and holdingunder strong furniture is pretty standard procedure for both earthquakes and raptor attacks. 
Is there a preparedness guide for velociraptor attacks?
Yes, it's called "Jurassic Park," you will be amazed how quickly your kids get prepared. For everything else there's Red Cross Fast Tips 
How do I make my home Raptor-Ready? Making a plan is key: make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of velociraptors (or fires). Also, practice evacuating your home twice a year. For authenticity, we recommend dressing like a bipedal carnivore and sneaking into your husband's office at night. Remember preparedness can be fun! 
Aren't Velociraptors extinct? No, they just went underground, they're very South Valley. 
For more information on preparing yourself for Raptor attacks see:
http://velociready.org/site/faq/
http://www.velociraptors.info/ 

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up!

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...


PAKISTAN: Today the IFRC launched a preliminary emergency appeal for $12 million to provide urgent relief and medical support to 105,000 people affected by the devastating floods that have once again struck Pakistan.

JAPAN: The Japanese Red Cross has played a key role in tsunami and nuclear disaster emergency response and recovery efforts. 800 medical teams were deployed immediately after the disaster to run mobile clinics for survivors. With donations totalling $510 million received (of a total $51 billion pledged) by Red Cross Red Crescent societies abroad, another key part of the Japanese Red Cross reconstruction plan is to support the building of temporary hospitals.
KENYA: A leaking gasoline pipeline in Kenya's capital exploded on Monday, turning part of a slum into an inferno in which at least 75 people were killed and more than 100 hurt. Red Cross official Pamela Indiaka said the Red Cross is providing body bags and has dealt with 75 bodies so far. The death toll from the blast may still rise.
ITALY: The 34th Round Table on current issues of international humanitarian law (IHL) recently took place in San Remo, from September 8-10, 2011. Conclusions were made by Dr Philip Spoerri, Director for International Law and Cooperation, ICRC, regarding new weapon technologies and IHL.

GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Prepare-aphernalia: The Survival Shotgun

We often discuss the importance of having an easy to grab emergency kit prepared for the necessities of surviving without help for a few days. Earthquakes and Tsunamis have been the big disasters of note over the past few years, and both provide a very limited time frame to get what you need and escape. The Art of Manliness has taken this need of an easy to grab kit, but placed their kit inside of a shotgun instead of a bag.


The kit, as explained in detail here, addresses five core survival needs: water, fire, shelter, signaling, food. Beyond the obvious benefits of having a shotgun for hunting, shotguns typically have a lot of unused space to provide cushion for the kickback and can use special shells that act as signal flares. They mounted a knife, flashlight, various shells, parachute cord (that can be disassembled into several strands), a saw blade, bandana and compass on the outside. In the unused spaces they were able to fit a multi-tool, fire starter kits, and a rather comprehensive survival kit (containing items such as a fishing kit, aluminum baking-pan, water purification tablets, first aid basics, and a survival blanket). They claim it is the ultimate kit for a zombie apocalypse, however I can see a lot of benefits for more practical uses like getting stranded in the mountains.

Are You Red Cross Ready? Free Disaster Preparedness Training This Saturday!

A recent national survey revealed that only seven percent of Americans have taken the recommended actions to prepare for disasters, the Central Valley Chapter and Pacific Gas and Electric have partnered together to help communities be prepared during National Preparedness Month. With a generous sponsorship from PG&E of $150,000 to the Central Valley Region, the Red Cross will conduct activities and outreach to help individuals, families, schools and businesses take action to “Be Red Cross Ready” for all types of disasters and emergencies through a new educational campaign called, Prepare Central Valley.

“The Central Valley Chapter will always be there to provide relief in times of disasters, and we’re also in communities everyday teaching people the skills they need to prepare for and keep their families safer in a disaster or emergency,” said Ellen Knapp, Regional CEO.

To keep preparedness on the forefront of people’s thoughts and daily activities throughout the month, the Central Valley Chapter and PG&E will be holding “Be Red Cross Ready Fresno” on September 17th, 2011 at the Boys and Girls West Fresno Club. This FREE family event will educate both adults and children (ages 9 and older) to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Join the Red Cross from 10:00am to 12:00pm or at 1:00pm to 3:30pm and learn how to build an emergency preparedness kit, create an evacuation plan, and learn lifesaving skills like CPR and First Aid. All attendees will receive FREE pocket first aid kits, preparedness information, and lunch. Not to mention the opportunity to win emergency preparedness kits, radios and first aid kits.

“Preparing ahead of time will help you respond better in a disaster or emergency, and may even save your life,” Alex Villa, Regional Preparedness Manager “Prepared citizens help to create prepared communities. And two great ways for people to help prepare our community are by volunteering or attending this event.”

For more information please contact Alex Villa, Regional Preparedness Manager at (559) 455-1000 or alex@arccentralvalley.org.

PG&E Currents: Central Valley Red Cross Gets Financial Boost from PG&E

As community leaders and local residents gathered at Fresno’s Courthouse Park on Friday (Sept. 9) to learn about disaster preparedness, PG&E announced a $150,000 donation to the American Red Cross for local outreach efforts.

The PG&E contribution will go to the Central Valley region of the American Red Cross, which supports Fresno, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Madera, Merced and Mariposa counties.

Ellen Knapp, regional CEO of the American Red Cross Central Valley Region, said the money will help the relief organization educate and prepare communities for that inevitable next disaster — whether flood or fire or something else.

“It’s not a matter of if it is going to happen, but when the next disaster will strike,” she told the crowd.

The financial contribution is part of larger $1 million partnership launched by PG&E and the American Red Cross in April. The American Red Cross Ready Neighborhoods program will provide support to some of the most vulnerable communities across Northern and Central California by setting up disaster-preparedness resources, identifying shelter locations and providing response training and emergency kits.

Speakers at Fresno’s “Prep Rally” included Fresno County Supervisor Phil Larson, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims and Shawn Cooper, chief of staff for the office of the chairman at PG&E.

Mims talked about the importance of families putting together emergency kits with at least three days worth of critical supplies such as water, nonperishable food items and medications.

Cooper said PG&E has a long history of working closely with relief agencies such as the Red Cross and local law enforcement.

“Safety is important to PG&E,” he said. “We look forward to this partnership,” he said, just before presenting the $150,000 oversized check.

The downtown Fresno celebration also included activity booths, giveaways and safety demonstrations, such as CPR.

In one of the demonstrations, a PG&E lineman used a scaled-down model of a neighborhood to show those at the rally how interference with live electrical power lines could be harmful.