The
Sigonella Standard
August 2014
NAS Sigonella
Health and Safety Course Schedule August 21 Adult, Child, and Infant CPR/First Aid/AED *Blended Learning 1700-2000 Fee: $55 (Must complete online portion before day of class) September 9 Adult, Child, and Infant CPR/First Aid/AED 0900-1600 Fee: $55
Do you know who to contact if a family emergency arises and you need to get back to the States? One of the most difficult parts of being stationed at an overseas location is being so far away from family. This can be made even more challenging when a family member suffers from an illness or a serious injury, or if there is a death in the family. Coping with the news of the situation and then trying to get the necessary information to the command and make travel arrangements can be overwhelming for anyone. The American Red Cross is here to help in these situations. For more than forty years the American Red Cross has been assisting the Armed Forces by providing service members with Emergency Communication Messages (ECM). A Service Member or their family can start an ECM if there is a death, illness, or serious injury involving an immediate family member (of either the Service Member or his/her Spouse). If you have specific questions or need to start an ECM you can contact our local office at 624-4900 or our 24/7 call center at 1-877-272-7337.
Congratulations to our July Volunteer of the Month! Sarah Buck became SAF Sigonella’s newest Instructor Trainer in April. Since then she has put in countless hours to help improve the Health and Safety class structure as well as helping maintain and update the inventory of supplies for the classes. She has been an invaluable part of the volunteer team in Sigonella. Along with all of these duties, she is the MWR instructor for Lifeguarding and Water Safety Instructors. We can’t thank you enough, Sarah, for all the you do! Congratulations!
To stay up to date on everything Red Cross be sure to “like” our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ARCSigonella
Now Recruiting: Volunteer Leaders Would you like to become an American Red Cross Volunteer Leader?
There are currently several open positions on the SAF Sigonella Advisory Council. The positions are part of the Volunteer Leadership Team. Positions include Chairman of Volunteers (COV), Recognition Chair, Publicity Chair, Health and Safety Chair, and Hospital and Chair. Responsibilities include weekly office hours, supporting the Red Cross mission, providing monthly reports, conducting volunteer needs assessments, coordinating recognition activities, and ensuring volunteer records are maintained. To learn more or to apply for any of these positions please contact us via email at amanda.herring@redcross.org. or stop by our office on NAS 1.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities and Events
Disaster Action Team
National Night Out August 5 (1645-2100) ***Man the red Cross activity table during the event in Marinai. Help kids learn about safety and have fun!
Rotator Welcome Counter August 13 and August 27 (1200-1600, time can vary based on delays and includes time to prepare supplies) ***Hand out water, snacks, and supplies to Rotator passengers making Sigonella their new home.
RELO Fair August 1 and August 15 (1300-1530, includes set-up and clean-up time) ***Help welcome new Sigonellans during INDOC and share information about Red Cross Services and how they can get involved. To register for any of these opportunities, visit the “My Shifts” tab on your Volunteer Connection Profile.
From house fires to earthquakes, disasters come in all sizes. One thing they all have in common is unpredictability. You never know when one will strike. Help the Red Cross get Sigonella prepared for when potential disaster strikes by joining our Disaster Action Team (DAT). As a DAT member, you’ll receive FREE training on how to prepare the community for potential disasters, work side by side with emergency personnel from around the base to learn how you can assist them, become a Preparedness Education Leader, and go out into the community to teach about preparedness and safety. If you are interested in joining the team contact the Disaster Services Chair, Katie Connolly, at Katie.connolly@redcross.org.
Summer Weather Can be Dangerous for Pets The lazy, hazy days of summer can be dangerous for our pets. The American Red Cross urges safety and protection from the heat as the temperatures rise. HOT CARS DEADLY FOR PETS Pet owners should not leave their animal in the car - even for a few minutes - when the hot weather arrives. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Pet owners are urged to refrain from leaving animals in the car, even with the windows cracked open. ANIMALS CAN SUFFER HEAT STROKE Heat stroke is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are prone to heat stroke. This is also true for any obese pet, a pet with an extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea. Some of the signs of heat stroke in your pet are: -Heavy panting and unable to calm down, even when lying down. -Brick red gum color -Fast pulse rate -Unable to get up. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.
New Volunteer Orientation
When: Monday, August 25 1100-1200 Where: Red Cross Classroom on NAS 1 Who: Anyone interested in volunteering What: Learn about current volunteer opportunities and the Red Cross SAF Mission. You’ll also meet the local staff and volunteer leaders.