The Quincy Area Safety Council is pleased to highlight American Red Cross.
American Red Cross, Serving Adams, Brown and Pike counties.
The American Red Cross has been a member of the Quincy Area Safety Council since 2006. The primary focus of the American Red Cross is disaster relief which helps communities with a variety of basic and safety services during their time of need. In addition to disaster relief, the American Red Cross has programs for health and safety training, blood services, service to the military, youth services, water safety, and international services.
In Adams County, Pam Shaffer serves as the Executive Director and Kate Rhoads asDisaster Director. They moved into their present location at 3000 North 23rd St, Quincy, IL in 2004. They can be reached at 217-222-2477. The organization is staffed with three employees in the Quincy office, two of which are Safety Professionals. As of 2011, the chapter jurisdiction includes Adams, Brown, and Pike counties, with a branch location at 117 South Memorial St. in Pittsfield, IL.
The Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross has been in existence 94 years, offering programs and services to a very diverse population. Established in 1917 to deliver Red Cross services in our community, the challenge is to meet or exceed the needs of today and prepare for an ever-changing society. The Red Cross has five major lines of service. While they are all different, they all serve the same purpose of empowering ordinary people to perform extraordinary acts in the face of emergencies.
To quote Pam Shaffer; “ we shelter, feed and care for survivors of disasters, provide nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, teach lifesaving skills, help our military families cope with emergencies and provide humanitarian aid to people worldwide.” Whether it’s a tornado, a heart attack, a call for blood, or a call for help, the Red Cross is there 24/7.
The Adams County Chapter, serving Adams, Brown and Pike counties is guided by their Mission Statement; “A humanitarian organization lead by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross movement, to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”
Again, a quote from Pam; “networking with other safety-minded people to gain insight into specific safety problems and offer our Health and Safety course offerings to professionals in business, industry and public safety is the greatest value received from being a member of Quincy Area Safety Council. We not only talk safety, we practice safety with the purchase of two AEDS, one in the front and another in the rear of the building. Chapter employees, blood service employees, and some volunteers are trained to use them. With many of the disaster supplies stored overhead we found it necessary to purchase an industrial, steel-rolling safety ladder with a hand rail to reach these items. And very important are the two safe rooms – reinforced concrete and steel – to be used in times of severe weather. OSHA and the American Red Cross share a common goal – keep workers safe. We work together to provide training resources on safety and health topics including emergency preparedness, disaster prevention and first aid in the workplace. The American Red Cross can facilitate the purchase of an AED and train employees on how to use them. We offer workplace first aid kits tailored to help meet OSHA requirements.”
Principles of the Red Cross Movement are;
- Impartiality – Nondiscriminatory regardless of race
- Independence – Autonomy
- Neutrality – Never taking sides
- Voluntary – All are welcome to serve
- Unity – Only one Red Cross in each country
- Universality – Worldwide humanitarian movement
“Be Red Cross Ready” is a program which teaches the proactive steps that employees can take to prepare for an emergency. “Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed.”
Thanks to our member, the American Red Cross, for all the valuable services you provide to the community! Posted September 16, 2011.