As a volunteer nurse on the battlefields of the American Civil War, Clara Barton saw the poor condition of the military troops firsthand. She became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield.” The American Red Cross today helps service members, their dependents, and veterans with emergency and non-emergency situations.
The Red Cross in Louisiana responds to a disaster every 6 hours (mostly to home fires). Meanwhile, Red Cross volunteers are working with neighbors to prevent disasters and build resiliency. Studies show that most local residents admit to being largely unprepared for emergency situations. Two key preparedness programs of the Red Cross in Louisiana are the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign and The Pillowcase Project to prepare students.
The American Red Cross provides health and safety training that equips people of all ages to prevent, prepare for and respond to life-threatening emergencies. Red Cross health and safety courses cover dozens of topics such as first aid and CPR, use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), babysitter's training, swimming and aquatic safety, instructor training and much more.
The American Red Cross helps vulnerable people around the world prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters, complex humanitarian emergencies and life-threatening health conditions. We reconnect families separated by disaster or conflict, provide instruction on international humanitarian law, and help other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies build vital programs.