American Red Cross And ArcelorMittal Launch "Creating Safer Communities" Program

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 23 Jun 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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ArcelorMittal and the American Red Cross are launching a new national partnership, Creating Safer Communities, designed to bring important safety training and resources to people who live and work in communities where ArcelorMittal operates. ArcelorMittal, the world's leading steel company, provided a grant of $152,500 to be distributed in multiple communities across the US. The program will provide health and safety education to more than 1,800 community members in addition to thousands of ArcelorMittal employees and their families.

"ArcelorMittal's number one priority is the health and safety of our workforce," said Heather Loebner, Manager, Corporate Responsibility, ArcelorMittal Americas. "This commitment extends beyond our facilities to the neighborhoods in which we operate. By partnering with the American Red Cross, one of the most respected non-profit organizations in the world, we are aligning our commitment to the community with our ongoing employee safety goals. Through Creating Safer Communities we will engage both our neighbors and employees in a shared mission to live and work more safely."

Several ArcelorMittal facilities have existing relationships with their local Red Cross chapters, and Creating Safer Communities brings these efforts together to maximize the positive impact in local communities across the US. All of the participating Red Cross chapters will host educational events, such as trainings in fire safety, general first aid and disaster preparedness, throughout the year for community members at a free or discounted rate.

Over 10 million people a year enroll in Red Cross first aid, CPR/AED, water safety and other health and safety courses where they learn lifesaving and care giving skills.

"Every day across America, local Red Cross chapters are leading communities in preventing, preparing for and responding to emergencies," said Michael J. Brown, vice-president Corporate and Foundation Partnerships of the American Red Cross. "We continue to make an impact because of the generous gifts of time, blood and money from the American public and caring corporate partners like ArcelorMittal."

ArcelorMittal is partnering with the following Red Cross chapters through the Creating Safer Communities program:

- American Red Cross of Greater Chicago (ArcelorMittal USA/Americas headquarters)
- American Red Cross, Coastal South Carolina Chapter (ArcelorMittal Georgetown - S.C.)
- American Red Cross, Northland Chapter (ArcelorMittal Minorca - Minn.)
- American Red Cross of Northwest Indiana (ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor - Ind.)
- American Red Cross, Porter County Chapter (ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor - Ind.)
- American Red Cross, River Valley Chapter (ArcelorMittal Weirton - W.Va.)
- American Red Cross, Southeast Louisiana Chapter (ArcelorMittal LaPlace - La.)
- American Red Cross, Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter (ArcelorMittal Coatesville and Conshohocken - Pa.)
- American Red Cross of Susquehanna Valley (ArcelorMittal Steelton - Pa.)

About ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel company, with operations in more than 60 countries.

ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global steel markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with leading R&D and technology, as well as sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks. With an industrial presence in over 20 countries spanning four continents, the Company covers all of the key steel markets, from emerging to mature.

Through its core values of sustainability, quality and leadership, ArcelorMittal commits to operating in a responsible way with respect to the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees, contractors and the communities in which it operates. It is also committed to the sustainable management of the environment and of finite resources. ArcelorMittal recognizes that it has a significant responsibility to tackle the global climate change challenge; it takes a leading role in the industry's efforts to develop breakthrough steelmaking technologies and is actively researching and developing steel-based technologies and solutions that contribute to combat climate change.

In 2008, ArcelorMittal had revenues of $124.9 billion and crude steel production of 103.3 million tons, representing approximately 10 per cent of world steel output.

ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Brussels (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS). For more information about ArcelorMittal visit: http://www.arcelormittal.com

Source
American Red Cross