Twitter

“Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?” [Source: Twitter.com]

How Does Twitter Keep You Prepared for Emergencies?

Follow our national Red Cross Twitter accounts:

• @RedCross
• @SafeAndWell
• @RedCrossRacing

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

A coalition of individual Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies that coordinate relief efforts throughout the world occurring outside the theater of war and other forms of armed conflict.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is made up of 186 national societies, one of which is the American Red Cross.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

An impartial, neutral and independent organization dedicated to protecting the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and providing them with assistance

• ICRC.org

Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV)

Are vehicles used on disaster relief operations to provide mobile or stationary feedings, distribution of items, and, as necessary, to do casework, communication, and to transfer supplies.

Audio: What’s That Red Cross Truck Doing Here?

Video of an ERV inspection:

Disaster Operations Center

The 24-hour operations center located Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, DC that serves as the primary point of contact for all Disaster Services activities. During large-scale disasters additional Disaster Operations Centers may be opened closer to the affected area.

Disaster Action Team (DAT)

A team of trained Red Cross workers sent to the scene of a disaster to provide immediate disaster relief to those affected by disaster and to emergency workers responding to the incident.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Lifesaving technique combining rescue breathing and chest compression that keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs; useful in emergencies in which someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

A computerized medical device that can check a person’s heart rhythm, recognize a rhythm that requires a shock, and advise the rescuer (through lights, voice prompts and text messages) when a shock is needed.

Blood Services

Every two seconds someone in America needs blood.

The Red Cross serves as the bridge between over 4 million generous blood donors and millions of patients in need each year.

The American Red Cross serves over 3,000 hospitals around the United States. We deliver a wide range of high quality blood products and blood donor and patient testing services. We bring expertise in transfusion medicine and dedication to meeting our customers’ needs.

International Services

The American Red Cross helps vulnerable people around the world to prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters, complex humanitarian emergencies, and life-threatening health conditions.

The American Red Cross accomplishes this goal by working within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement-the world’s largest humanitarian network with more than 180 Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies and more than 100 million volunteers. In all our work, we abide by the seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.