Contact: Stephen Walsh
Regional Communications Director
(916) 208-4058
stephen.walsh@redcross.org
Redding, Calif., August 3, 2018 — The American Red Cross will begin offering Direct Client Assistance to those who have suffered loss during the Carr Fire. Caseworkers will be at the Local Area Assistance Center (LAAC), Shasta High School, 2500 Eureka Wy., Redding, CA, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Wednesday August 8, 2018. Residents applying for assistance are requested to provide proof of identification as well as proof of residency. Due to continued fire activity, caseworkers are unable to safely get to Weaverville. Asconditions improve, assistance will be announced.
Red Cross caseworkers will be connecting one-on-one with people to provide them an opportunity to share their needs, ask questions, and—for those who qualify—obtain financial assistance. Recovering from a disaster can be a confusing, emotionally draining and complicated process. Red Cross caseworkers are trained to help people create recovery plans and connect people with the services and resources they need.
Disasters like these deadly wildfires create more needs than any one organization can meet on their own. The Red Cross is working very closely with the entire response community – government agencies, other non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and others – to coordinate relief and recovery efforts. The Red Cross delivers help to whomever needs it, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or citizenship status. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and people who have disaster-caused needs do not need to be American citizens to access Red Cross services.
Returning Home and Recovering After a Wildfire
The Red Cross offers the following safety tips for families as they begin to return home and recover from wildfires:
1. Do not enter your home until fire officials say it is safe.
2. Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without warning.
3. Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles and downed wires.
4. Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn your pets’ paws or hooves.
5. Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
6. Take precautions while cleaning your property. You may be exposed to potential health risks from hazardous materials.
Find these and other wildfire safety tips online at redcross.org or in the Red Cross Emergency App. Download the Red Cross Emergency App for preparedness information and shelter locations at your fingertips. Look for it in your app store, or text GETEMERGENCY to 90999.
How to Help
The Red Cross is able to provide disaster relief services during wildfire season thanks to the generosity of the community. Call, click or text to give: call 1-800 RED CROSS, visit redcross.org, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Red Cross is accepting new volunteers who are interested in supporting wildfire relief efforts. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to begin an application. Once submitted, Red Cross representatives will contact the applicants regarding orientation and volunteer opportunities.
Stay Connected
Impacted residents can safely and securely list themselves as safe and well by registering at redcross.org/safeandwell. Friends and family are able to search the database for messages from their loved ones.
Follow the local Red Cross on Twitter and Facebook for additional updates.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.