Summit Medical Group and Colonial Crossroads Chapter Partner to
Teach Preparedness

AREA (DECEMBER 31, 2007) – The American Red Cross Colonial Crossroads Chapter and the Summit Medical Group will offer a three-part Be Red Cross Ready Emergency and Disaster Planning lecture series featuring free monthly lectures at Summit Medical Group’s Berkeley Heights campus on Jan. 10, Feb. 5 and March 4, all at 7 p.m.

The series launches Thursday, Jan. 10 with a talk about general disaster preparedness given by Christy Hodde, executive director of the local American Red Cross Colonial Crossroads Chapter. Participants will learn how to prepare an emergency kit, how to work with their community in the event of a disaster, and how to get help. Hodde also will address Pandemic Flu preparedness.

The lectures continue Tuesday, Feb. 5 with a discussion of commonsense measures individuals with disabilities, special needs, and their caregivers can take to start preparing for emergencies before they happen. The final installment on Tuesday, March 4 will welcome Carolyn Currey, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center director of community services, who will outline how to be prepared to protect pets before and when disaster strikes, as well as basic dog and cat first aid and CPR.

“According to a 2007 poll by the American Red Cross and Harris Interactive, 64 percent of Americans have no evacuation plan, even though 27 percent have had to leave home for at least one night because of a disaster or other emergency,” explained Hodde. “If your family is still not prepared for a disaster or other emergency, the Be Red Cross Ready series is a great opportunity to change that.”

"Being prepared saves lives. It empowers people to respond better to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools,” said Andrew Mintz, Summit Medical Group executive director. "We are pleased to host this series at Summit Medical Group in the hopes that it will raise awareness of the importance of emergency planning and encourage people to take action. We urge residents of our community to attend these lectures and make a commitment to preparing and protecting themselves and their loved ones."

There is no charge to attend the Be Red Cross Ready lectures, however reservations are required. To reserve a seat, please call he Summit Medical Group Event Hotline at (908) 277-8889 or e-mail events@smgnj.com.

A free online education module also is available at www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady to guide users through the three preparedness actions. The 10-minute presentation is available in English and Spanish and includes a downloadable disaster supplies kit checklist and emergency contact card.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, nearly a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Approximately 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

Since 1917, the local Colonial Crossroads Chapter has served the residents of Berkeley Heights, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Florham Park, Long Hill Township, Madison, New Providence, Springfield and Summit. To find out more about your local Red Cross, how you can donate your expertise, time, money or blood; or to help your family, business, or community prepare for emergencies, visit www.ccnjredcross.org.

Summit Medical Group is a multispecialty medical group in New Jersey with over 135 highly qualified physicians. SMG treats over 30,000 patients per month at its main campus in Berkeley Heights, and four satellite offices in Shorts Hills, Summit, Warren, and Westfield. It plays a major role in the American Group Practice Association (AMGA) along with the Mayo Clinic, the Lahey Clinic and the Geisinger Clinic. As one of the premier multi-specialty groups on the East Coast, Summit Medical Group has provided exceptional primary and specialty care since 1929.

BE RED CROSS READY EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLANNING SERIES

Be Red Cross Ready: Preparing for Pandemic Flu
Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.
Are you and your family prepared for a disaster? With three easy steps the American Red Cross can help you become “Be Red Cross Ready.” Participants will learn how to prepare an emergency kit, how to work with their community in the event of a disaster, and how to get help. Preparedness education will be coupled with a discussion about Pandemic Flu.

Be Red Cross Ready: Preparing your special needs loved one for a disaster
Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.
The likelihood that you and your family will recover from an emergency tomorrow often depends on the planning and preparation done today. While each person’s abilities and needs are unique, every individual can take steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies. By evaluating your personal needs and making an emergency plan that fits those needs, you and your loved ones can be better prepared. This program outlines common sense measures individuals with disabilities, special needs and caregivers can take to start preparing for emergencies before they happen.

Be Red Cross Ready: Preparing your pets for a disaster
Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m.
Our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and well-being. A representative of Madison’s St. Hubert’s Animal Shelter outlines how to be prepared to protect pets before and when disaster strikes. In addition to preparedness, basic dog and cat first aid and CPR also are addressed.