APA and American Red Cross renew their pledge to work together in disasters

Representatives from APA's Practice Directorate and Disaster Response Network met at the American Red Cross national headquarters Feb. 26 to sign the new "memorandum of understanding" between APA and the American Red Cross. Joseph C. Becker, American Red Cross senior vice president of disaster services, and Katherine Nordal, PhD, APA's executive director for professional practice, signed the document, which outlines the ways the American Red Cross and APA will work together to prepare and respond to disaster situations.

The agreement focuses on meeting the mental health needs of disaster survivors and Red Cross workers. It lists cooperative measures, such as developing and implementing a disaster preparedness program and facilitating the network of trained, licensed psychologists mobilized in times of disaster. In addition, the agreement describes ways that state psychological associations and local Red Cross chapters can collaborate.

APA and the American Red Cross hope the agreement—the third between the two organizations—will further enhance the training and readiness of psychologists to aid disaster-relief operations.