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John Hollenhorst ReportingAmericans have opened their hearts and wallets for victims of the Asian tsunami. But Red Cross officials are reminding people there are important needs here at home also.
They say the tsunami itself should be a reminder of the need for preparedness in every home and business.
The Salt Lake area Red Cross has a brand new CEO at a time when disaster and the Red Cross are on people's minds as never before.
It's hard to imagine a disaster like this hitting the city where you live. But then, the people of Indonesia probably never imagined it either. It is a safe bet a giant tsunami will never strike Salt Lake City. But more mundane emergencies have occurred here and will again.
Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, power outages, crippling snowstorms. Utah's new Red Cross leader says people need to ask themselves if they're prepared.
Mariann Geyer, CEO Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Chapter: "The other things that could happen to me, could happen to my business, could happen to my family. Am I ready to make sure that I can take care of the people I'm responsible for?"
Does your family or business have an emergency plan so key people know what to do? Do you have basic survival supplies, including food, water, batteries?
Marian Geyer: "Now is a good tim to review all that. Make sure you've got those things in place."
The Red Cross has raised an amazing amount of money in the last couple of weeks. So much so, they may soon stop accepting contributions for Tsunami relief. But that doesn't mean they want people to stop giving.
Each local chapter has to raise its own funds, and it isn't cheap, being ready for anything.
