American Red Cross Announces Safety Tips for Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game.

PASADENA, Calif. -- The San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross today (Wednesday) outlined safety tips for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 1, viewing the Rose Parade floats Jan. 1 and 2 and the Tournament of Roses FanFest and BandFest events.

More than 130 Red Cross volunteers will participate in the 2007 Rose Parade first aid operations, making this the largest presence of Red Cross volunteers of any event in the nation each year. Red Cross volunteers staff 12 first aid stations along the parade route, with foot teams, station leaders, coordinators and other support personnel. The local chapter is augmented by support from other chapters, including Glendale, Rio Hondo, Santa Monica, Greater Los Angeles, and Ventura. While some of the 2007 first aid volunteers will be new to the assignment, the majority have worked the New Year's event in Pasadena for many years, some for more than 25 years.

With a Red Cross Medical Communications team working with the Fire Department's dispatchers, the Red Cross serves as first responders for the Fire Department for medical assistance calls along the parade route.

According to Paul Emmons, the Chapter's Rose Parade First Aid Operations Chair, many of the calls Red Cross responds to each year are minor in nature, with most patients released at the scene. The Fire Department is activated to assess more serious cases and for transport of patients to area hospitals for further care. Each year the Red Cross treats spectators, band members and other participants in the parade and Tournament of Roses volunteers during the 5.5-mile multi-hour event.

Automated external defibrillators will be provided to the Red Cross first aid stations along the parade route and at the Rose Bowl by Zoll Medical Corporation.

Last year, about 137 Parade participants and spectators received first aid treatment by the Red Cross, mostly for symptoms of hypothermia, following the winter storm that drenched the annual flower-filled parade for the first time in more than half a century. The weather this coming Monday (Jan. 1) is expected to be sunny and warm, but the Red Cross advises parade visitors to still be prepared for a change in the weather and offered these safety tips:

* Eat and drink water before the parade begins and make sure to have an adequate meal before arrival at the parade.

* Wear layered clothing, since the weather can change by as much as 40 degrees during the parade. Bring heavy clothing for the colder early-morning period, head protection for the later sunny hours, and sunscreen.

* Bring your prescription medications and know the medical history of the members of your group.

* Limit your alcohol consumption the night before the parade.

Spectators that need medical assistance should contact any local Tournament of Roses official, police officer or other event worker, who will, in turn, notify the Red Cross.

The San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross (www.sgpvarc.org), headquartered in Pasadena, is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers. The Chapter serves nearly 1.8 million people in 45 communities, providing relief to victims affected by disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.