The American Red Cross has developed a series of applications for iPhones and androids. Their new app warns users of severe weather such as a tornado outbreak. It also shows how to prepare for a tornado and how to notify loved ones if caught in severe weather.
Executive Director Steve Pair says, "There’s a First Aid App, a wildfire app, aimed at making our community better prepared, better able to respond to disasters if they happen." The Red Cross is being honored with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their recent help in the blizzard and wildfires a couple years ago. Amarillo Chamber of Commerce President Gary Molberg says "We have so many citizens in our community that give back and that’s their particular job and they do a heck of a job. We’re proud they’re here giving back to our community."
They’ll also be participating in a tornado drill planned for 10am, Wednesday, March 6 2013. The Emergency Operations Center in Amarillo will conduct the drill for the City of Amarillo. The Red Cross will send a liaison. They’ve also entered into a partnership with the Military Processing Station, or MEPS. The Red Cross takes down information from new recruits that will make it easier to notify them if they have an emergency.
LCDR Peter Bissonnette says, "They take down their emergency data so if anything happens, even in Boot Camp, they can get in touch with those they care for." Red Cross Volunteer Myrl Betts oversees the operation from the Red Cross side. "They fill out their emergency cards and what I do is send that to their emergency contact along with services by the Red Cross. That way the military people, when they call in, the Red Cross is the only one that can make that contact." March is Red Cross Awareness month.
