"The American Red Cross & Our Community"

Brian Quail, Western Kentucky Regional Director of American Red Cross, Louisville Region, gave a timely presentation about the operations of the Red Cross in Kentucky. On November 17th 2008 he, along with Jane Beshear, met with 20 to 35 corporate representatives in Frankfort. This disaster summit provided information and education to businesses in hopes of growing support and partnerships at the local level.

In 2008, the American Red Cross responded to approximately 70,000 disasters worldwide. The National Disaster Relief Fund provided help in the United States for tornadoes in February and April, hurricanes Ike and Gustav, midwest flooding, California wildfires, and now in 2009 the midwest ice storm. Ever since hurricane Katrina, costs have exceeded donations to the fund so donations are more important than ever. Donations from individuals and businesses can be earmarked for either the local chapter, the National Disaster Relief Fund, or split between them.

Kentucky is covered by two regional Red Cross Chapters … the Louisville Region and the Bluegrass Region. In any large disaster, the regional chapters coordinate with local chapters to respond as one unit. Kentucky responds to an average of 4 disasters per year. In the past 10 years the National Disaster Relief fund has provided $9.1 million dollars in support for Kentucky disasters.

Disaster services are free to the recipients and contributions pay for services. When the local Red Cross can't supply enough resources the National Disaster Relief Fund pays to send people and resources to the local communities. Since local communities always initiate the response to any disaster, local chapters need volunteers to be well trained and funded before disasters happen. He stressed that last week's ice storm shows how important it is to have a strong local Red Cross chapter.

For disasters that don't meet the threshold for national assistance, the local chapters have to provide the funds and resources to respond. Mr. Quail again stressed the need for strong local chapters and asked that businesses reach out to the local Red Cross with donations, support and coordination. A network of supplies and materials needs to be in place in advance of any need. Therefore local businesses should find out how they can be a part of that network.

Mr. Quail finished by stating that out of over 530 volunteers that are working the 2009 ice storm, only 50 were from out of state. "We should be proud of our Kentucky Red Cross volunteers". He said, " When the Red Cross can partner with people like those in this room, no little ice storm is going to keep us down"