The American Red Cross Responds to Westroads Mall Shooting

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(Omaha, Neb., Dec. 5, 2007, 9 p.m.) The American Red Cross Heartland Regional Chapter responded immediately upon being requested at the scene of the tragic shooting at the Westroads Mall today and arrived within an hour of the shooting. By 2:30 p.m., 911 dispatch had called requesting a Red Cross response to the Incident Command Post and our DAT (Disaster Action Team) was dispatched with DAT Vice Chairman Ane Tillotson serving as the Incident Commanders Point of Contact for the Red Cross. Other DAT members responding with the initial Red Cross team were Mike Clark, Jennifer Hovey, Jennifer Oumarou, and Bill Dreyfus. Initial Red Cross response included support to the police and fire responders.

When the decision was made to set up a family reception center at the Hampton Inn, the Heartland Chapter assisted with 10 additional volunteers, 9 of whom are volunteers specializing as mental health counselors and spiritual care counselors. These volunteers were on hand to comfort family members as they awaited news of their loved ones who may have been involved with the incident. These dedicated volunteers remained at the family reception center until 10:00 pm providing assistance during this difficult time for the Omaha community and for those affected by this devastating event.

The Red Cross will continue to work with individuals affected by this multi-casualty situation. According to Joe Phillips, Manager of Disaster Services, "The Red Cross will be an active part of the communities’ mental health response to this tragic incident and services will be ongoing for those emotionally and physically affected by this event." According to Phillips "We encourage those needing support to call the Red Cross at 402-343-7700. Mental Health professionals will be on call to assist." According to Tina Price, CEO, American Red Cross Heartland Regional Chapter, "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this senseless tragedy." Price also thanked the many volunteers from the Red Cross and from the partner agencies that were on hand to help. "We are grateful to the partner agencies that worked with us this evening to provide help to our responders and to those affected by this tragic incident."

The American Red Cross Blood Services is also prepared and is supporting hospital needs. We are committed to ensuring no patient goes without the blood they need. At this time there is no critical need for blood, but we encourage donors with appointments to be sure to keep them in the coming days so we remain prepared. To ensure blood continues to be available for patients tomorrow and further into the future, donors can make and appointment to give blood by calling 1.800.GIVE.LIVE or by going online to givebloodgivelife.org.

Our chapter responds to about 200 fires and other disasters each year, assisting hundreds of children and adults with immediate needs including financial assistance for food, clothing, and shelter, as well as, referrals to community agencies and crisis counseling. We are the lead agency in teaching life saving skills in our community in areas such as CPR, first aid and aquatics. In a year's time, thousands of units of blood are collected for distribution and use in local hospitals. We assist military families during crisis by relaying urgent emergency messages between them and their service member when they are separated due to training, deployments and remote assignments. The Heartland Chapter also serves the local community by providing a food pantry and financial assistance to help families in crisis pay their utilities. The chapter is grateful to the hundreds of trained volunteers who help carry out the mission of the American Red Cross every day.

For more information about the American Red Cross Heartland Regional Chapter, please visit our website at www.redcrossomaha.org or call Deborah Neary (402) 343-7714. For more information about the American Red Cross Blood Services, contact Danelle Schlegelmilch at (402) 321-3576.

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