Media Contacts:
American Red Cross – Jim Burns
408-483-7455 | jim.burns@redcross.org
Capital Insurance Group – Chelsea Asplund
831-233-5360 | CAsplund@ciginsurance.com
Capital Insurance Group donation supported the vehicle's purchase
Photos of the new vehicle can be found here:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskGTmsp8
SANTA CRUZ, CA (October 29, 2018) – On October 25, a new Next Generation Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) was inducted into the American Red Cross of the Central Coast’s existing fleet of ERVs. The Capital Insurance Group (CIG), a Monterey-based insurance carrier, provided a cornerstone donation of $70,000 that supported the purchase of the new vehicle.
The new emergency vehicle, which will primarily serve communities in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, will also be available for Red Cross responses to national disasters elsewhere.
The new ERV was unveiled at the Red Cross office in Santa Cruz during a lunch ceremony honoring local volunteers who deployed as part of the organization's recent responses to Hurricanes Florence and Michael. Representatives from CIG were also on hand.
During a disaster, Red Cross emergency response vehicles are on the frontline, delivering food and supplies, often to families cut off from other services. The "next generation" ERVs have been overhauled from the chassis up, making them more energy efficient and nimbler when encountering difficult terrain and debris. WiFi onboard enables volunteers to complete critical casework at disaster scenes, two larger side windows allow the Red Cross to feed families more efficiently, external lighting provides a safer setup at disaster sites, and a sliding lift system makes it easier for Red Cross volunteers to load supplies. (See this comparison of the features of an old and new ERV.)
“Without the generous donation from community partners like CIG, this emergency response vehicle would not be available to serve our neighbors in times of emergency,” says Chapter CEO Michele Averill. “We are immensely grateful for this support. It allows us to respond efficiently and effectively during disasters such as the recent wildfires around California.”
“We are honored to support our local chapter of the Red Cross, as we share in the mission of repairing lives,” said Arne Chatterton, President & CEO of CIG. “As a property and casualty insurer, we understand the magnitude of what it takes to restore our communities during and after a crisis. We are proud to help the Red Cross purchase this new ERV and support disaster relief efforts in a tangible way.”
This short video highlights the important journey taken by Red Cross' fleet of emergency response vehicles during the massive response efforts of 2017 — a series of disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, followed by the deadliest week of wildfires in California history:
https://vimeo.com/242262823
In addition to CIG’s cornerstone support, the local Red Cross chapter’s purchase of the ERV was made possible by three other large gifts: $33,500 from the Robert and Virginia Stanton Endowment of the Community Foundation for Monterey County; $10,000 from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and $10,000 from an individual donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
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About the American Red Cross of the Central Coast: 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. The American Red Cross of the Central Coast serves the residents of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. For more information, visit our website at redcross.org/centralcoast or call us at 831-624-6921. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Capital Insurance Group: Capital Insurance Group® (CIG) is the leading regional property and casualty insurer serving the Western U.S. since 1898. The company is known for providing trusted insurance products for the personal, commercial, and agricultural business segments, with an emphasis on property related exposures. The 120-year-old company employs nearly 500 people across five states (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona). CIG is rated “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best, the independent financial monitor of the insurance industry. The company also celebrates an average claims satisfaction rate of 96 percent. CIG manages personal, business, and agriculture risks underwritten by its affiliate companies: California Capital Insurance Company, Eagle West Insurance Company, Nevada Capital Insurance Company, and Monterey Insurance Company. For more information, please visit CIGinsurance.com.