Web Chat on Disaster Preparedness with Ms. Caron Byrd, Red Cross. (The following is an edited transcript of questions and answers from a web chat held on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 on WREG, News Channel 3)

News Channel 3: Welcome everyone: Today’s chat is sponsored by UTMG. Caron Byrd with the Red Cross is our guest today. Do you have any questions for the Red Cross about disaster preparedness?

Q: Other than the regular things for an emergency kit what do you recommend?

Red Cross: In addition to the basics such as food and water, you should also include a change of clothes for each family member, a battery operated radio, extra batteries, small tools such as a wrench, hammer, and pliers. Don't forget to include items for infants, senior and pets.

Q: I have most of that in my kit. Do you recommend a special place to keep the kit?

Red Cross: you should keep your kit in a place that's handy for you. That may be your garage, an interior storage room, etc. You should have a 3 day supply.

Q: I’m 11 and really scared about the show down with Saddam. Should I worry?

Red Cross: It's important to prepare for any disaster, but don't panic. We should always be prepared for any type of disaster, whether it's a tornado or flood. If you would like more information, please visit the red cross website at http://www.redcross.org. They have information for children to help them understand what is happening.

The Red Cross recommends that families take 5 actions to prepare for disaster:

1) make a disaster plan;

2) put together a disaster supplies kit;

3) get training (first aid/CPR, disaster preparedness training);

4) volunteer in your community;

5) give blood.

Q: Our basement has lots of windows and stuff. Should it be airtight? Also we have an old kit down there; probably been 3 years should we update it?

Red Cross: You would only need to seal off the exterior air supply if advised to do so by emergency officials. This would probably be in response to some threat from airborne contaminants. If your kit is 3 years old, then you should probably check it to see if any items have expired, spoiled, etc.

News Channel 3: Be sure to check out the supply lists listed on the red cross web site and the be ready US Department of Homeland Security web site for supply lists. Those web sites are http://www.redcross.org and http://www.ready.gov.

Red Cross: When making your disaster plan, you and your family should discuss designating an emergency meeting place right outside your home and a second place that is outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home or advised to evacuate your neighborhood.

Q: What station would we turn to on the radio if there was a disaster?

Red Cross: If there is an emergency, your radio and TV stations would implement the emergency broadcast system to notify people of emergencies. Be sure to have a battery operated radio and a supply of extra batteries.

Q: I would like to know what role the red cross would play in the event of a local emergency?

Red Cross: The Red Cross provides assistance to families that have been impacted by disasters. if there were a big local emergency, the Red Cross would open shelters for families that needed them, provide support services to the emergency officials (such as search and rescue teams), provide mass feeding and then offer recovery assistance (food, clothing, household items, etc.)

Q: I would like to know where the emergency shelters are located in downtown Memphis and their capacity please?

Red Cross: We have emergency shelters throughout the city, but we don't release the locations until an emergency is declared by the local EMA. Many of the local shelters are actually schools, churches, etc. We would not want people to show up on their doorsteps unless an actual emergency had been declared. If an emergency is declared, then you would be notified where to go through your broadcast media. That's why it's important to have a battery operated radio on hand. If you'd like more information, feel free to contact us at 726-1690.

Q: How hard is it to get trained on basic first aid and is this something you feel is important right now?

Red Cross: We highly recommend training in first aid and CPR most people that have to use these skills wind up using them with a loved one -- so it's something you would definitely want to know. we offer courses every week, ,please contact our office for course dates and times.

News Channel 3: While we're on the topic, The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department has created a web site to assist prospective volunteers in signing up to assist in the event of a Bioterrorism (BT) emergency. Individuals wishing to volunteer can now log on to http://www.shelbybtvolunteers.org, http://www.shelbybtvolunteers.com, or go through the Shelby County website at http://www.co.shelby.tn.us to complete an application online. Volunteers can still call 725-4687 and complete the application over the telephone, also.

Q: How long does it take to get trained and is this something I could do after work hours?

Red Cross: CPR is a 4 hour course, first aid is 4 hours. You can take the courses separately or combined. We offer evening course and Saturday courses. We have an adult CPR course with first aid being offered at the East YMCA on April 12 (a Saturday). the course time is from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m..

News Channel 3: We have the Red Cross and FEMA lists on our home page at http://www.wreg.com site. We hope you will all print the supply list and get your emergency kit together.

Red Cross: For those of you still on line, we offer disaster preparedness training throughout the community. To schedule a presentation for your church, community group, workplace, please contact the Red Cross at 726-1690.

If you are interested in volunteering with the red cross, please contact our office to register for an upcoming volunteer orientation. The number again is 726-1690

News Channel 3: Thanks everyone for being here. If there are no more questions we are going to close the chat. Be sure to join us next week when our guest is Dr. Abbas Kitabchi, UTMG and our topic is Diabetes.

You can also visit the UT Medical Group web site at www.utmedicalgroup.com .

Send questions or comments about this web site to news@wreg.com

All content © Copyright 2003, WorldNow and WREG. All Rights Reserved.