Media Contact:
Christine Welch, Communications Director
Email: christine.welch@redcross.org
Phone: 909-374-0376
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif., July 27, 2023 — Since the onset of the July 18 fire at a mobile home and RV park community in Desert Hot Springs, American Red Cross Riverside County volunteers have provided support at the Desert Hot Springs High School shelter. In partnership with the City of Desert Hot Springs and Riverside County, the Red Cross has provided emergency shelter, food, water, health and emotional support services to anyone impacted by the fire.
Emergency management officials lifted evacuation orders allowing residents whose homes were not damaged to return home earlier this week. Red Cross volunteers will continue to help residents with casework, referral services, emotional support and more as the road to recovery begins.
Local Assistance Center Opens to Provide Additional Resources
Red Cross representatives will be present along with city officials, county departments and state partners at a Local Assistance Center (LAC), Friday, July 28 through Sunday, July 30, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Desert Hot Springs High School located at 65850 Pierson Blvd. The LAC is a centralized location where various humanitarian organizations and government agencies provide information on available recovery assistance resources.
Since requested by authorities, the Red Cross Riverside County Chapter has provided for the needs of those affected by the fire which destroyed nine mobile homes and 12 vehicles. The Red Cross continues to work closely with local partners and emergency management officials to coordinate recovery efforts moving forward.
Trained Red Cross volunteers and staff are on call round-the-clock and stand ready to assist in various aspects, including disaster assessment, casework and more.
How to Help
The Red Cross urges everyone to be prepared for disasters and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected cope with emergencies. Volunteers support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using their professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
About the American Red Cross Southern California Region
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 public to perform its mission. The Red Cross Southern California Region proudly serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. In addition to carrying out disaster preparedness and response programs, blood collection, health and safety training, international services programs and supporting the military community, the Southern California Region provides nutritional counseling through its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in San Diego and helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters through its Prepare SoCal and Prepare San Diego initiatives. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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