Red Cross Colonial Crossroads Volunteers Practice Vital Disaster Health Services at Long Hill Search-and-Rescue Drill

LONG HILL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Oct. 5, 2007) - American Red Cross Colonial Crossroads volunteers participated in a Community Emergency Response Team search-and-rescue training drill on Sept. 22 at Hicks Tract in Long Hill Township. Working in support of the area's Office of Emergency Management, Emergency Response Personnel and first responders, the Red Cross practiced vital disaster health services, mass care techniques and mental health support that are provided in the event of an actual emergency.

Coordinated by the Long Hill Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the training drill was the first in a series of exercises to increase local emergency preparedness and provided an opportunity for participants to hone critical techniques as well as practice support of other local first-responder agencies.

Working with a training scenario that involved a missing woman and her child, the Red Cross was stationed at the Incident Command Center, which served as an overall base of operation for the search-and-rescue. Following the rescue and basic stabilization of fictitious victims, Red Cross health services volunteers administered essential first aid until the victims could be transferred to emergency medical technicians and transported to medical facilities.

"When emergencies happen, the Red Cross moves into action.Our Emergency Response team provides crucial first aid, health services, emotional support and mental health counseling. We also furnish basic needs such as shelter, food and beverages not only for victims, but also for all emergency personnel," explained Julie Siciliano, Colonial Crossroads Chapter Board Member and Disaster Services Chairperson. "Our volunteers need to be skilled, ready and able to move into action on a moment's notice. An exercise like the Long Hill drill goes a long way toward making sure the Red Cross is prepared and ready to serve our communities."

The American Red Cross Colonial Crossroads Chapter provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in the New Jersey communities of Berkeley Heights, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Florham Park, Long Hill Township, Madison, New Providence, Springfield and Summit. The Colonial Crossroads Chapter provides disaster preparedness training; disaster assistance; lifesaving courses, including CPR and First Aid; community blood drives; free rides to medical appointments for ambulatory seniors living the Union County communities served by the Chapter; free blood pressure screenings; and much more.

To find out more about the local Red Cross, how you can donate your expertise, time, money or blood; or to help your family, business, or community prepare for emergencies, call the Summit office at (908) 273-2076, or Madison office at (973) 377-0455.