Weekend disaster report, November 1-3, 2019

More than three-dozen people in Northeast Ohio were chased from their homes by fire over the weekend.  They received comfort and care from trained Red Cross disaster responders, volunteers who, in some cases, traveled far from their homes to help those in need.

“Our volunteers worked long and hard this weekend to make sure people in need received immediate assistance,” said Renee Palagyi, senior regional disaster program manager. “Some drove an hour-and-a-half to get help to the people who needed it.  Some stayed after their shift was scheduled to end; some started before they were scheduled to start.  I can’t say enough about the dedication of our volunteers.”

Disaster Action Team (DAT) members are on-call during scheduled shifts, and when a call comes to the Red Cross from a fire department, a neighbor, or another source, the volunteers on-call respond.  They provide immediate financial assistance, comfort kits filled with toiletries and other necessary supplies, and other help for those affected by fire.

December 14, 2017. Ventura, California. Garrett and his family moved into this home just before Thanksgiving and today considers themselves extremely lucky. Both neighboring houses burned. The only reason his still standing is because of the heroic actions of another neighbor’s son, an off-duty firefighter, who took action. This unnamed hero broke down Garrett’s door, tore open a wall where flames had just started, and poured a gallon of orange juice to slow them down. It gave enough time for emergency responders to get there and defend the rest. *Garrett’s son, Session (3), saw and can describe what the Thomas fire looked like as the family evacuated. It was a “big fire,” he said. Now Session is a big fan of firetrucks “I got to push all the buttons” and other emergency vehicles. He was thrilled to get a turn handing out snacks from the ERV, and got to announce his name to the neighborhood over the loud speaker. Volunteer Ron Burby gave Session a Red Cross souvenir pin so Session gave everyone at the Red Cross a big hug! Photo by Dermot Tatlow/American Red Cross

August 18, 2016. Denham Springs, Louisiana. During a hot meal distribution in southern Louisiana, Red Cross volunteer Cora Lee, a local relief worker from Baton Rouge, hugs her daughter Shannon Lee, whose home was flooded in Denham Springs. Photo by: Marko Kokic/American Red Cross

This weekend, Red Cross disaster responders distributed nearly $8,200 to folks affected by home fires in 11 separate cases, impacting residents in Cleveland, Canton, Youngstown, Sandusky, Ashtabula Chesterland, Lisbon and East Liverpool.

There is always a need for trained disaster responders to help people during their darkest hours.  Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more, and to apply to become part of the regional Red Cross workforce in Northeast Ohio.