As a highlight of Preparedness Month, more than 150 employees at Blue Hill Plaza in Rockland County attended a Red Cross "Ready Blue Hill” preparedness program on Thursday, September 20.

The event launched a major partnership between the American Red Cross in Greater New York, Rockland and Blue Hill, the most prominent office complex in Rockland County. It was sponsored by Active International, Mack-Cali, and Walter Karl Associates. Joe Allen, Senior VP, Employee Communications and Community Affairs, Active International; Joanne Morano, Director of Property Management, Mack-Cali; and Joann Kropp, President, Walter Karl, Inc., were all on hand during the training.

Presentations by Yumiko Ikuta, Red Cross Coordinator, Disaster Services Volunteer Partnerships, and Jim Parker, Director in the Red Cross Safety & Preparedness Department, explained volunteer opportunities at the Chapter and the basics of family preparedness, including how to Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed before an emergency strikes. Attendees also received a review of building emergency procedures from Mack-Cali.

Future plans call for a blood drive and onsite Red Cross training courses in lifesaving skills including CPR, First Aid and AED. Mack-Cali also funded thousands of Be Red Cross Ready preparedness brochures, which will be distributed throughout the county.

“The event was a great success,” said Bonnie Fletcher, director ARC/GNY Rockland. “We are very excited by the prospect of hundreds of Blue Hill Employees being Red Cross Ready by the end of the June 2008. Blue Hill will be a role model for the County of Rockland.”