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American Red Cross and Qwest in Oregon Partner to Train Disaster Volunteers
PORTLAND, Ore., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross and Qwest Communications International Inc. today announced a major program in Oregon and 13 other local service states to offer special disaster training to Qwest employees and members of the general public. The $240,000 grant will assist in the training of volunteers to better respond in times of crisis and natural disasters. In addition to the training assistance, the company will also distribute one million "Emergency Checklist" fliers that provide information that every family should be equipped with in case of an emergency. Qwest will distribute the checklists through numerous channels, including having technicians leave them with customers on installation and maintenance calls.
"We are thankful for the many business, organizations and individual donors that support Red Cross disaster relief for local house fires, wildfires and other life threatening situations," said Bert Kile, executive director for the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter. "Even before disasters strike, the Red Cross needs to take steps to be prepared to respond. Qwest has recognized the importance of these steps through funding volunteer training so we can as ready to help our fellow Oregonians. Qwest is making a significant investment to better prepare our community through Red Cross volunteer recruitment and training."
This important education program will offer training in 13 chapters of the American Red Cross in Utah, Arizona, Washington, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, Iowa, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, Nebraska/South Dakota and Oregon. Initial training introduces Red Cross disaster relief services to course participants, and once completed, participants can choose additional education and disaster training of interest or importance to them.
"Qwest is proud to partner with such an outstanding organization and help create a whole new corps of first responders," said Judy Peppler, Qwest president for Oregon. "Every day, our employees demonstrate the Spirit of Service in Action by supporting and strengthening the communities where they live and work. We look forward to enhancing these efforts through the Red Cross' disaster relief efforts."
Qwest employees regularly work to restore key services to communities after natural disasters. Whether it's providing temporary phones for evacuating customers during Rocky Mountain wildfire season, assisting earthquake relief efforts in Seattle, or repairing cable cuts during Minnesota's brutal winters, Qwest employees are there. Qwest is keenly aware of the need for a quick, coordinated response in delivering disaster relief to an affected area, making the partnership with the Red Cross a natural fit.
Volunteers are critical to Red Cross disaster response efforts. The first team responding to a disaster scene is trained to identify the needs of victims and assist first responders in determining whether there is a need for shelters or temporary housing. Shelter managers then are deployed to coordinate shelter, food and clothing for victims as well as provide mental health and medical support. They also notify allied agencies that can assist with the shelter and care for large and small animals. Other volunteer roles include public affairs and information, client services, government liaison, record keeping and damage assessment.
The first step in the process of becoming one of the specially trained volunteers is taking the Introduction to Disaster Services course. This course will be offered on June 17, 2004 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter building located at 3131 N. Vancouver Avenue in Portland. Contact Rodney Rogers at (503) 528-5617 for more information. The disaster training program is open to all Qwest employees, their families and the general public, but space is limited.
About the American Red Cross
Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and provides relief and assistance to those suffering from conflict, disasters and other international crises worldwide.
About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. is a leading provider of voice, video and data services to more than 25 million customers. The company's 46,000 employees are committed to the "Spirit of Service" and providing world-class services that exceed customers' expectations for quality, value and reliability. For more information, please visit the Qwest Web site at http://www.qwest.com/.
Forward Looking Statement Note
This release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: access line losses due to increased competition, including from technology substitution of our access lines with wireless and cable alternatives; our substantial indebtedness, and our inability to complete any efforts to de-lever our balance sheet through asset sales or other transactions; any adverse outcome of the SEC's current investigation into our accounting policies, practices and procedures and certain transactions; any adverse outcome of the current investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office in Denver into certain matters relating to us; adverse results of increased review and scrutiny by Congress, regulatory authorities, media and others (including any internal analyses) of financial reporting issues and practices or otherwise; rapid and significant changes in technology and markets; any adverse developments in commercial disputes or legal proceedings, including any adverse outcome of current or future legal proceedings related to matters that are the subject of governmental investigations, and, to the extent not covered by insurance, if any, our inability to satisfy any resulting obligations from funds available to us, if any; potential fluctuations in quarterly results; volatility of our stock price; intense competition in the markets in which we compete including the likelihood of certain of our competitors emerging from bankruptcy court protection or otherwise reorganizing their capital structure and competing effectively against us; changes in demand for our products and services; acceleration of the deployment of advanced new services, such as broadband data, wireless and video services, which could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels; higher than anticipated employee levels, capital expenditures and operating expenses; adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment affecting our business; and changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies.
The information contained in this release is a statement of Qwest's present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and Qwest's assumptions. Qwest may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in Qwest's assumptions or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Qwest or persons acting on its behalf may issue. This release may include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which Qwest assumes no responsibility.
The company expects to file in May 2004 its form 10-Q for the three month period ended March 31, 2004. Please refer to the form 10-Q for a full description of first quarter 2004 results.
Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. By including any information in this release, Qwest does not necessarily acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable law or that the information is material.
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Qwest Communications International Inc.; American Red Cross
CONTACT: Stacia Dahl of Qwest, +1-503-242-8534, Stacia.dahl@qwest.com;or Mary Miller of the American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter,+1-503-528-5633, millerm@redcross-pdx.org
Web site: http://www.qwest.com/
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