The Red Cross Invites You to Be Prepared

Fourth Annual Disaster Preparedness Summit to be held virtually March 24th.

During one of the country’s most active years of severe weather, families displaced by a disaster in 2021 spent an average of nearly 30-days in a Red Cross-supported emergency shelter. These extended stays were largely due to a lack of savings and community housing shortages — signs that climate-driven disasters are compounding the financial hardships of the pandemic.

“Emergencies will happen – we just don’t know when or where they will occur,” said Wendy Vara, Interim CEO for the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region. “But from climate change to public health and cyber-security to hurricanes, we know the frequency of large-scale disasters is on the rise. As a community, the time to prepare is now.”

In addition to keynote speakers Rodney Oddoye, Senior Vice President of Governmental, Regulatory and External Affairs, Pepco Holdings, and Billy Bob Brown Jr., Executive Assistant Director for Emergency Communications, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), two National American Red Cross leaders, Jennifer Pipa, Vice President, Disaster Programs and Brad Kieserman, Vice President, Disaster Operations & Logistics are set to address summit attendees. Panel discussions will be moderated by DC-based meteorologist, WUSA9’s Kaitlyn McGrath, and Red Cross leadership.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION and hear from special guests with proven experience in leading through the natural and man-made disasters of today and tomorrow; industry experts from national and global companies; and local thought-leaders—on the lessons they plan to pass along to future generations of preparedness advocates. Those interested in attending are asked to register early to ensure a free ticket at: RedCross.org/DCDisasterSummit

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit them on Twitter at @RedCross.