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In One Year: Red Cross and Partners Save 26 Lives, Install Smoke Alarms in all 50 States
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In One Year: Red Cross and Partners Save 26 Lives,
Install Smoke Alarms in all 50 States
In just one year, at least 26 people are alive today thanks to a nationwide campaign spearheaded by the American Red Cross to save lives and reduce injuries from home fires. More than 63,000 families are safer thanks to the smoke alarms and safety education they received in their homes from Red Cross volunteers, firefighters and other community partners. And more than 311,000 children have learned to be safer in emergencies from Red Cross volunteers and apps.
"In this country, seven people lose their lives every day from a home fire," said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the Hawaii Red Cross. "Even one death from a home fire is tragic, because many of these deaths are preventable. When communities work together, we know we can reach more families, install life-saving smoke alarms in their homes and teach fire safety."
The American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is a multi-year effort to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent. Working alongside fire departments and community groups across the country, the Red Cross and its partners have installed more than 125,000 smoke alarms in nearly 2,400 cities and towns.
People of all ages are vulnerable to home fires. During the course of this campaign, we were gratified and thrilled that among others, the lives were saved of a two-month-old baby, a 73-year-old grandmother, and 11 members of an extended New Orleans family by new smoke alarms that the Red Cross and our partners installed.
BY THE NUMBERS
Launching nationwide in October 2014, the Red Cross and more than 1,900 local partners and 40 national partners have:
- Saved 26 lives in six states (Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, South Dakota and Texas)
· Installed more than 125,000 smoke alarms in nearly 2,400 cities and towns
· Reached more than 485,000 people with safety information, including more than 311,000 youth
· Visited more than 63,000 homes 50 states and 3 territories
LOCAL EFFORTS
On Saturday, a dozen Hawaii Red Cross volunteers canvassed 70 homes with fire safety and free smoke alarm installation sign-up information in the Pauoa Valley neighborhood surrounding the home of two elderly residents who perished in a fire last month. Volunteers included Boy Scouts from Manoa Troop 33. Council Member Carol Fukunaga, Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, and House Representative Sylvia Luke partnered with the Red Cross to notify residents of this event.
"Working smoke alarms cut the risk of death by home fires in half. As part of our lifesaving mission, Red Cross volunteers are educating the community and providing vital information on fire safety and the importance of maintaining working smoke alarms," explained Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO, Hawaii Red Cross. "Saturday's canvassing effort was not only to educate residents about fire prevention, but to actually sign them up to receive free smoke alarms that will be installed by the Honolulu Fire Department and Red Cross volunteers in mid-October. When a home fire or other disaster occurs, the Red Cross assists with the immediate needs of those affected such as food, clothing, shelter and crisis counseling. Unfortunately, the Red Cross is called to help after tragedies occur; this is a way to help prevent them," Matayoshi said.
TWO MINUTES TO ESCAPE
It is estimated that you may have only two minutes to get out after a fire starts in your home. As part of the campaign, the Red Cross is also asking every household in America to join us in taking two simple steps that can save lives: checking their existing smoke alarms and practicing fire drills at home. Every family should develop a fire escape plan, and practice it.
GET INVOLVED
People can support those affected by disasters like home fires by making a donation to the Hawaii Red Cross or volunteering. Go to redcross.org/hawaii for more information.
The Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization which provides assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected by disasters. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it depends on public contributions to help others. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world. To send a contribution, mail your check to American Red Cross, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816 or make a secure online donation at redcross.org/hawaii or call (808) 739-8109.
Attached are photos from Saturday's canvassing event in Pauoa Valley.
ABOUT HAWAII RED CROSS
PROGRAMS & SERVICES Disaster Preparedness
In Hawaii due to our isolation, we encourage all families to be prepared for 7 days instead of 72 hours. It will take time following a disaster for a logistics bridge to be built to Hawaii if our harbors and airports are affected by a major disaster and we may be relying on our own resources longer than other places within the United States. First Aid Station Teams (FAST)
One of the wonderful services your American Red Cross Hawaii provides to its community is manning first aid stations at community events. American Red Cross First Aid Station (FAS) Team stations are staffed with competent volunteers who have been trained to respond. Red Cross Clubs
Participate in a Red Cross Club at the Hawaii State Chapter. Help your community by volunteering, fundraising and supporting the mission of the American Red Cross in Hawaii. Services to the Armed Forces
The American Red Cross provides a vital communication lifeline between military service members and their families by relaying urgent information in times of emergency. TAKE A CLASS The American Red Cross provides lifesaving training to thousands of Hawaii residents each year in numerous topic areas including First Aid/CPR/AED and Babysitting. Aquatics
Count on the American Red Cross for the best training on how to be safe in, on and around the water! Explore the exciting new collection of courses designed to make learning easier and to help you benefit from the latest research on instructional techniques. Disaster Training
We conduct free non-certificate personal preparedness courses for neighborhood and community residents; agency staff and clients; school teachers, staff, parents, and administrators; and local business personnel. Nurse Assistant Training
The American Red Cross Hawaii is committed to adhering to the highest standards of instruction through our Nurse Assistant Training Program. Volunteer
It's what we do. The American Red Cross works within our local communities, providing relief to people who have suffered a disaster. Show your aloha and become a volunteer for the American Red Cross in Hawaii. We invite you to explore the many volunteer opportunities available. Click here to learn more. |
HOURS - Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
ABOUT US
The American Red Cross in Hawaii prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
The Hawaii State Chapter provides the following programs and services in the State of Hawaii.
- Disaster Relief
- Safety Training
- Military (Service to the Armed Forces)
- International Services
- Red Cross First Aid Stations
- Community Events and Presentations (speaker requests)
MISSION
The American Red Cross in Hawaii prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
The Hawaii State Chapter responds continually to large and small disasters throughout the State of Hawaii. The Red Cross is the only volunteer organization charged, by federal Congressional Charter, with responding during disasters to provide for the immediate emergency needs of families and individuals. In addition, the Chapter prepares individuals and businesses to be more prepared for emergencies and to initiate appropriate action to ensure the health and safety of those around them and themselves.
The American Red Cross is not a government agency. We depend on the aloha spirit of giving from our community to help others in need.
Read more about our vision, values and more...
STATEWIDE PRESENCE
The Hawaii State Chapter consists of the Chapter headquarters, offices on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii and four military service centers (Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Kaneohe Marine Corp Base and Tripler Army Medical Center).
HISTORY
Founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, the American Red Cross is one of the oldest human service organizations in the United States. In 1905, the U.S. Congress chartered the Red Cross to help relieve the suffering caused by disasters. Over the years, we have become part of the very fiber of the community and Americans have grown to expect and rely on our swift, professional assistance through a national volunteer corps of more than 1.44 million people. The American Red Cross is one of more than 145 member nations that comprise the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, 967 chapters make up the American Red Cross.
Although 1917 is the official date that the first American Red Cross chapter was chartered in Hawaii, Red Cross work began as early as 1898, when some 300 women, including Princess Kaiulani, organized a Red Cross society to aid the sick and wounded soldiers stopping here on transports from the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.
Today, the Hawaii State Chapter is a leader in health and safety training. Red Cross disaster volunteers respond regularly to house and apartment fires, and are prepared for larger disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods.
Through its extensive use of trained volunteers, the American Red Cross has earned a reputation for being of one of the nation's most efficiently managed non-profit organizations, a distinction that has been recognized by publications such as Forbes, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Nonprofit Times and Money Magazine. The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross has over 4,000 volunteers - a volunteer-to-staff ratio of more than 10 to 1.
The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross is known for excellent stewardship of funds. We have always prided ourselves on providing services that do not duplicate the services of other non-profits organizations and proactively seeking ways to collaborate with other providers.
Sep 14, 1917: Queen Liliuokalani's secretary, Colonel Iaukea, presents a hand-sewn Red Cross flag to members of the local Chapter on the steps of Iolani Palace. This ceremony took place a few months after the Hawaii Chapter was officially chartered. At the Queen's suggestion, the flag flew over the palace and later hung in the Throne Room during World War I. Mrs. Henry Dawson accepts flag. Territorial Governor Lucius Pinkham is behind Iaukea.
View more historical photos
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Vision
- ...all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope;
- ...our communities are ready and prepared for disasters;
- ...everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products;
- ...all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and
- ...in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that
Values
- Compassionate: We are dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve and to treating each other with care and respect.
- Collaborative: We work together as One Red Cross family, in partnership with other organizations, and always embrace diversity and inclusiveness.
- Creative: We seek new ideas, are open to change and always look for better ways to serve those in need.
- Credible: We act with integrity, are transparent guardians of the public trust and honor our promises.
- Committed: We hold ourselves accountable for defining and meeting clear objectives, delivering on our mission and carefully stewarding our donor funds.
Local Training and Preparedness
- Lifesaving training to almost 20,000 people per year (CPR, first aid, aquatics, babysitting, pet first aid, and nurse aide training)
- Free Annual Summer Swim program for over 45 years at Ala Moana Beach for hundreds of keiki and adults, and a volunteer teen Summer Buddies leadership program.
- Workplace Safety teaches workers how to prevent injuries and respond to life threatening emergencies
- Caregiving teaches families to care for loved ones at home, or in a career to care for sick, elderly and disabled in a care setting.
- Disaster preparedness information was shared with over 27,000 people on how to prepare for emergencies
- Pre-deployment briefings provided to 17,000 servicemen and families
Relevance of Red Cross in Hawaii
- With the threat of flu pandemic, terrorist attacks, and major natural and man-made disasters, the American Red Cross is more relevant and necessary than ever before. It is not "if," but "when" a major disaster in Hawaii will occur, and with your help, we'll be ready.
- The Red Cross is not a government agency. All disaster training and services are free, made possible by generous donations from local individuals and businesses and our dedicated volunteers.
Questions? Ready for an appointment?
American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter
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