January 11, 2007 American Red Cross Joins ProtectingAmerica.org (Washington, D.C.) – The American Red Cross, the nation’s leading volunteer disaster preparedness and response organization, has become the latest partner to join ProtectingAmerica.org. Teaming up with first responders, disaster recovery experts, insurers, small and large businesses -- and now the Red Cross -- ProtectingAmerica.org partners call for better ways American families can prepare for and protect themselves from natural or human-caused disasters. 'The mission of the American Red Cross is to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies,' notes Joe Becker, Senior Vice President of Disaster Preparedness and Response at the American Red Cross. 'Our new partnership with ProtectingAmerica.org will help support our goal for individuals and families across the country to prepare for unexpected situations.' 'No organization in America speaks with more authority and expertise on the critical need for American families to be better prepared for, and protected from, the onslaught of catastrophes like major hurricanes, earthquakes, fires or floods,' said Admiral James M. Loy, co-chairman of ProtectingAmerica.org. 'The American Red Cross’s support of our efforts marks a major milestone in achieving our goals,' he added. 'When catastrophe strikes, the Red Cross is there - providing things like food, water and other resources to help individuals and families affected by tragedy. Like the Red Cross, our organization is committed to doing everything humanly possible to lessen the impact of catastrophic events,' said former FEMA Director James Lee Witt, also a co-chair of ProtectingAmerica.org. 'ProtectingAmerica.org’s mission is to take steps to minimize the impact of catastrophe through improving building codes, expanding disaster preparedness education and establishing stable and reliable funding for first responder programs. We are equally committed to establishing financial mechanisms to ensure that American families have access to the financial resources they need to repair and rebuild in the aftermath of a natural catastrophe,' Witt said. About the American Red Cross The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. About ProtectingAmerica.org ProtectingAmerica.org was formed in 2005 to lead a concentrated effort to improve the way America prepares for and protects its families, communities, consumers and economy from catastrophe. ProtectingAmerica.org is working to increase public awareness and consumer education, improve building codes, advocate for better land use planning and strengthen first responders. ProtectingAmerica.org supports legislation on the state and federal levels that furthers these efforts and also establishes a financial backstop to help make insurance more affordable and available for consumers. ProtectingAmerica.org currently consists of more than 125 member organizations including emergency management officials, first responders, disaster relief experts, large and small businesses, nonprofit organizations and insurers. ### | 
