Each year, your Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 80 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses), floods, earthquakes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.

The Good News Is That We Can Help

Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to "carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same." The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support its work with their donations.

Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently.

The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

What You Can Do to Help

Take steps to prepare you and your family for the unexpected. A recent survey Red Cross/Wirthlin Worldwide report found that only 20 percent of the American public is adequately prepared for another terrorist attack or natural disaster. You can be ready for the unexpected by following the five steps in the American Red Cross "Together We Prepare" campaign.

• Make a Plan - Learn what disasters you could experience in your community and prepare for them
• Build a Kit - Gather together the household essentials you would need if you were confined to your home for an extended period of time, or were forced to evacuate.
• Get Trained - At least one member of every household should be trained in First Aid, CPR, the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and what to do in case of a disaster.
• Volunteer - Volunteering makes our communities stronger and safer. Find a cause you can support and give them some time. The Snohomish County Chapter also welcomes volunteers.
• Give Blood - The Puget Sound Blood Center, now widely regarded as one of the world's leading blood centers, serves the needs of 14 counties and 70 hospitals and clinics throughout Western Washington. Consider becoming a regular and frequent donor.