Red Cross Teaches Students to Act in Emergencies

Alexander Peku discussed topics ranging from fire safety to school shootings. Photo Credit: Olivia Wang

By OLIVIA WANG

 Health students learned how to protect themselves and their families in an emergency from Red Cross members Alexander Peku and Grace Harwood on October 23 in Room 155.

To a boisterous, packed room, Peku explained how he became a member of the Red Cross. A retired football player, he got a job as a security guard. Everything was fine until Fashion Week. While guarding a few important people, he got a call from his boss saying he had to keep the people “safe.” Having no idea what was going on, Peku made them stay inside. 

“The day was 9/11,” Peku said. “On that day, I made a few key mistakes. Luckily, this time, no one got hurt. But to prevent myself from making key mistakes, I joined the Red Cross.” 

The Red Cross goes across America teaching students of all ages to protect themselves.

“You guys are not so young that you shouldn’t know what to do during an emergency,” Peku said.

Peku especially went in-depth with the issue of fires. Each year, fire kills more Americans than all other natural disasters combined. Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the home - at least 80% of all fire deaths occur in residences. 

“This meeting is not irrelevant,” Peku said. “We’ve been to schools where students died from fires.” At this line, many of the students in the room perked up. 

Peku explained the three types of fires: Class A, B, and C. Class A fires are fires that use solid materials such as wood, paper, or textiles. Class B fires are fires that use a flammable liquid or gas as its fuel base. Class C fires are fires that use electrical components or energized equipment as its fuel source. Crucially, only Class A fires can be put out with water. 

Peku told the students that if they didn’t have a good fire detector, the Red Cross would give them one and install it for free. Families should also have food, water, and a whistle at hand.

He briefly talked about nuclear power plants. Did you know that there are two nuclear power plants near Midwood? One of them is called the Indian Point by the Hudson River. “Great feeling, isn’t it?” Peku said.

The period was coming to an end, but Peku had something to say about school shootings.

“Know this,” he said. “When there is a school shooting and you’ve been shot, the first responders [police] are not there to help you. They are there to stop the threat. The threat is the shooter.” 

Remember, “just because you’re 14 doesn’t mean you’re safe,” he said. “Just because you’re in the U.S. doesn’t mean you’re safe. You must be prepared, responsive, and recover.”

The presentation left students with a lot to think about.

“This meeting was educational,” Yuna Li ‘23 said. “I learned to protect myself and be prepared in ways I never knew before.”

Harwood, the other Red Cross instructor, said, “We do these meetings to help and educate the community. I love helping people because it is a good way to give back.”

Tiffany Wu ‘21, a former Red Cross member, said, “Red Cross is a great way to open yourself up and be aware of what the problems are in the world. It also helps to make you a better person while helping others in the process.”