Red Cross Responds to World Trade Center, Pentagon Plane Crashes

Red Cross Responds to World Trade Center, Pentagon Plane Crashes
Red Cross Responds to World Trade Center, Pentagon and Pittsburgh
Plane Crashes
September 11, 2001 — Two aircraft collided into
the upper floors of the World Trade Center towers
Tuesday morning (Sept. 11), and black smoke
poured out of two gaping holes in the buildings. Both
towers collapsed a short while after the explosions.
There was no immediate word on injuries or fatalities
in the World Trade Center disasters, which
happened around 9 a.m. Shortly thereafter, a plane
reportedly collided into the Pentagon in Arlington,
Va.
Yet another plane crashed outside Pittsburgh, about
an hour after the Pentagon crash. It is still unclear if
this crash is related to the others.
The Federal Aviation Administration has reportedly
shut down all airports in the nation.
CNN reported that the FBI is investing reports that
the planes were hijacked. One of the planes was
reportedly an American Airlines 767.
Security agents atop buildings near the White House
in Washington DC stand ready for any possible
attacks.
The American Red Cross has immediately
responded to the disasters. Details are sketchy as to
what has actually occurred, but the Red Cross has activated its Aviation Incident Response (AIR) Team
to respond in New York City, and trained disaster workers from the American Red Cross of Greater
New York and the National Capitol Chapter in Washington, D.C. are providing relief in the affected
areas.
"The American Red Cross is doing everything we can to ensure the immediate availability of the safest
possible blood," said Dr. Bernadine Healy, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "We are
also dispatching hundreds of trained disaster workers and mental health counselors to New York,
Washington D.C. and elsewhere," she added.
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Red Cross Responds to World Trade Center, Pentagon Plane Crashes
80,000 blood donations in the American Red Cross blood inventory are ready to ship to affected areas
and will ensure that patients' lives are saved. Donors who wish to give blood in the coming days to
replenish the nation's blood supply are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment.
In the wake of these traumatic events lies a wide path of catastrophic physical and psychological
destruction in which countless victims will require assistance. In addition to meeting the physical needs
of the affected regions, the American Red Cross will be providing crisis mental health counseling.
The Red Cross AIR Team has been activated and is responding in New York City and Boston, where
one of the flights that struck the World Trade Center originated. Made up of leadership teams from all
Red Cross disaster relief functions, the AIR Team responds when activated through the Aviation
Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996. This act charged the National Transportation Safety Board with
designating an organization to provide for the emotional needs of victims, family members and rescue
workers. NTSB selected the American Red Cross because of our nationally recognized mental health
counseling program.
A representative from the Keystone Chapter in Johnston, Pa., (the chapter closest to the plane crash
outside Pittsburgh), said that a disaster action team has been mobilized. Additionally, meals are being
prepared to be distributed to relief workers and victims at the scene.
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All American Red Cross disaster assistance is provided at no cost, made possible by voluntary
donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the
nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. To help the
victims of disaster, you may make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-
435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to
the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-
800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood
drives.
© Copyright 2001 The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved. CONTACT US | SITE DIRECTORY | PRIVACY POLICY
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