Southeastern Pennsylvania  VOAD is a part of a national collaboration of diverse organizations and citizens trained to meet community needs in the wake of a large-scale disaster. VOAD coordinates planning efforts and, during a disaster, matches community needs with services provided by member VOAD agencies. This cooperative effort has proven to be the most effective way for a wide variety of volunteers and organizations to work together in a crisis. Volunteers are trained to work before, during and after a large-scale disaster.

To date, over 4,000 people stand ready to serve as VOAD volunteers from more than 290 partner agencies throughout the five-county region. Some 10,000 people have been trained in critical disaster preparedness and response skills.

VOAD offers members of your organization free disaster trainings. Get peace of mind knowing your members are prepared before a disaster strikes and can look after themselves and their families post-disaster.

Our trainers can do on-site training for groups of 15+ at your location of choice. Or if you prefer, we can train several of your members as VOAD trainers so you can train new members as they come aboard.

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Latest News!

Red Cross Urges Preparedness during Swine Flu Outbreak

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - The recent documented cases of swine flu in several states across the U.S. and in a growing number of other countries may cause many people to wonder what they can do to better protect themselves right now. As health experts around the world seek to better understand the scope and severity of the swine flu outbreak, this is a good time for individuals, families, businesses and organizations to review and update their emergency preparedness plans.

Stay Healthy
The Red Cross and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are offering the following tips to ensure you stay healthy:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective when soap and water aren’t available.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Influenza (flu) is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Consult your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of the flu, such as:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Extreme tiredness
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea

For more information, see the Red Cross Flu Checklist.

Prepare for Potential Flu Outbreak
Stocking extra food, water and supplies at home will reduce the need to go out should swine flu become more widespread, thereby limiting potential for exposure to the virus. If a person does get sick and has extra supplies on hand, they will help reduce the spread of the flu by staying home.

• Store a two-week supply of food, water and household necessities (such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc.). Select foods that are easy to prepare and store.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
• Insure that formula for infants and any child’s or older person’s special nutritional needs are a part of your planning. Store an extra supply of food for your pets.
• Make sure you have an adequate supply of essential medications and medical items for all family members.

Up-to-the-minute updates on the swine flu can be found at the CDC Website . People seeking information on human swine flu should visit the CDC Web site or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Additional information:
American Red Cross  www.redcross-org
World Health Organization (WHO) - http://www.who.int/en/

Shelter Drill Scheduled in Bucks County

The American Red Cross Lower Bucks Chapter, American Red Cross Southeastern PA Chapter and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations active in Disaster (SEPA VOAD) would like to invite you to attend a "Sheltering in your Community" training and exercise. Some of the areas of the training will cover the roles and values of being a shelter worker, the shelter cycle, working with others in a community mass shelter, and the client experience. Please RSVP to Tania Venton at Ventonta@redcross-philly.org. Open to all SEPA VOAD members.

Date & Time: May 16, 2009 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Armstrong Middle School
2201 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19013

Opportunity to take Psychological First Aid in Delaware County

A new Psychological First Aid training has been scheduled to meet the continuing demand for this training. At this training, participants will gain a new skill set in Psychological First Aid and receive course completion cards at the end. Psychological First Aid is a skill that can be used on the scene of an emergency to help people reduce distress. It is different from counseling or debriefing techniques. This training will fill up quick, so please RSVP to Christie Eastburn at Eastbuc@redcross-philly.org. Open to all SEPA VOAD members.

Date & Time: May 5, 2009, 9:30am to 12:30pm
Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
721 Paxon Hollow Rd. Broomall, PA 19008