Red Cross to Hold Press Conference at New York Hospital Queens on May 14 to Announce Free Disaster Preparedness Training Sessions

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Marianne Darlak (212) 875-2132,
darlakm@nyredcross.org (New York Red Cross)
Cynthia Bacon (718) 670-2515,
crm9002@nyp.org (New York Hospital Queens)

EVENT: 
The American Red Cross and New York Hospital Queens will hold a press conference at New York Hospital Queens on Friday, May 14, to announce several disaster preparedness training programs for the community. 

The media is encouraged to attend the news conference in order to make our community aware of the free training sessions the following week. There are two tracks of sessions for the community on May 22:

1. Become a Disaster Reserve Volunteer
   Neighborhood residents and hospital personnel are invited to become fully trained Red Cross Disaster Reserve Volunteers by attending the free Red Cross Disaster Reserve Volunteer Institute from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If a major natural or man-made disaster strikes our area, the American Red Cross in Greater New York will need 10,000 Disaster Reserve Volunteers ready to staff up to 100 shelters and provide hundreds—or even thousands—of New Yorkers who may be forced to leave their homes with their basic needs—food, clothing, a safe place to stay and emotional support.
2. “Be Red Cross Ready” Emergency Preparedness Training
   Participants will learn skills to help keep them and their families safe in an emergency. They will learn how to Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed in order to reduce the risk of harm when disaster strikes. These training sessions will be offered in English, Chinese and Korean.

Representatives from the American Red Cross will discuss the programs. An emergency medicine expert from New York Hospital Queens will talk about the need of the community to be trained in emergency preparedness.

HOSTED BY:       
New York Hospital Queens
(Lang Auditorium, Enter from Main Lobby on Booth Memorial Avenue)
56-45 Main Street, Flushing, N.Y., 11355

WHEN:          
Friday, May 14, 2010 at 1 p.m.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IN GREATER NEW YORK:
The American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) is a key humanitarian partner and a vital participant in New York’s plans and programs to help over nine million people in New York City and Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Sullivan counties prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Chapter responds to an average of 7 emergencies a day—fires, floods, building collapses—and provides immediate humanitarian aid to as many as 100,000 people affected by these emergencies each year. Additionally, ARC/GNY helps New York residents and businesses prepare for emergencies by offering hundreds of lifesaving courses and emergency preparedness training programs and resources.

The American Red Cross in Greater New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, not a government agency, and relies on donations to fund its free humanitarian services. For more information about how you can help, call 1-877-RED CROSS (1-877-733-2767) or visit www.nyredcross.org.

ABOUT NEW YORK HOSPITAL QUEENS:
New York Hospital Queens is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and is affiliated with Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

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