The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1919-11-01
RED CROSS READY
FOR SERVICE IN
Big DISASTERS
1900 900 Lives Lost and ST.,
600, 900, 900 in Property
Destroyed in Dis
asters Since 1900

Preparedness for disaster relief on
a scale never before possible is be-
Cross, it has just been announced,
as one of the important features of
its wide peace program. for the sup
port of which an effort will be made
to secure a record membership dur
ing the Third Red Cross Roll Call. No
vember 2 to II.
Experience shows that suffering in
cident to public disasters can be
greatly reduced by extension of the
Red Cross machinery for supplying
emergency relief and knowledge
gained in putting through the task of
the Red Cross in the war is to be
used to the greatest possible advan-
tage.
Because of the lack of the spectac-
ular in many of them it is not gen.
orally realized how frequently, year
after year disasters occur, bringing
wide devastation, death and suffering
in their wake. Since 1900 disasters
of peace have cost many thousands of
lives and have brought personal in
jury and property losses to no fewer
than 1,5OU, 900 persons, at the same
time destroying property valued at
over $1,000, 900, 900. During 1917
alone, eighty disasters came to the at
tention of the American Red Cross;
sixty-two tornadoes, five foods, four
great fires, two earthquakes, two seri-
Gus mine explosions, two munition
plant explosions, IA race riot, a ship
wreck and the tragic calamity which
befel Halifax. The total of deaths
entailed was 175S, while 1927 were in
jured and the property loss rea he'd
$4,000, 900.
Speed of Fire Department.
That, in brief, is the situation that
demands a preparedness for emer-
gency relief comparable to the SER
vice and speed required of the fire
department and that is what the Red
Cross, to which the people instinct
lively turn when fire, food, tornado,
or great accident comes, to leave men,
women and children dead, injured,
homeless or starving, is to supply.
Under its direction the entire re-
sources of all communities for emerg-
ency relief will be modified for in
slant use when needed. Red Cross
Chapters everywhere will create dis
aster preparedness Committees that
vill make surveys locating not only
emergency food supplies, drugs and
other hospital supplies, cots, mat
: asses, blankets, clothing, schools,
armories and other buildings for
housing refugees, but will also can
-, IS physicians, nurses, social work
ers and others prepared to respond
instantly to calls for their services
II. disasters. ,
Information gathered in these sur
veys will be collated and fled by
the thirteen Red Cross Divisional or
CARNATIONS in the United States,
which will establish disaster relief
supply centers and take charge of OPP
e~rations when assistance is needed.
In case of major disasters, where the
OF the Division in which it
occurs are over-taxed, the entire re-
lief strength of the Red Cross in the
country will be modified, through ma
tional headquarters. And in both
large and small disasters there will al
so be ready for immediate relief duty
the equipment and personnel of the
fifty base hospitals organized by the
American Red Cross and turned over
to the Army for service in France.
Disaster Manual Compiled.
For the guidance of its representa-
tives at the scene of disasters a COM
p%rehensive Relief Manual has been
compiled by ]. Byron Deacon, director
general of the American Red Cross
Department of Civilian Relief, who is
charged with responsibility for Red
asters. The Manual, which will be
distributed to Chapters throughout
the country, calls attention to the fire.
uuency of disasters and urges that re-
lief to be effective must be swift and
centralized. In accordance with the
Manual the principle upon which Red
Cross service will be extended dis
dSIcI-Ol1 lNhCh AOliiliuhAL4CO 10 " DldC0
the resources represented by its mem
bership, preparedness and influence,
at the disposal of the afflicted COM
munity without delay.
The local community, so far as pos
sible, is depended upon to provide its
own relief, with the Division and Ma
tional Red Cross organizations stand
ing ready to rush additional aid where
it is necessary. The snsive and
varied experiences Of tie Red Cross
places it is a peculiar position to
offer sound counsel. 1t has built
up a trained and seasoned staff
of relief workers and will leave on
file in Division offices, it's list of ex-
perienced disaster workers under
agreement to go, at a moments no
tice, to any stricken territory.