Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (July 29, 2023) — The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada staff and Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to 11 home fires this week, assisting 39 residents with their immediate needs, including making sure they had a safe place to stay. Staff and volunteers responded to home fires in areas across Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Pahrump.
“This week illustrates how important the trained Red Cross disaster volunteers are to this community,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “Disaster Action Team volunteers are on duty every day to ensure that no one in Southern Nevada has to face life’s emergencies alone. They provide immediate compassion and care when displaced residents need it most.”
Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster and can leave a family devastated and in need of urgent assistance. “Our specialized Disaster Action Team volunteers are trained to provide emotional support, access to financial assistance and valuable information during times of crisis to help families begin to recover,” Flanigan said. “Without the Red Cross and its volunteers, these 39 displaced local residents may not have had the support they needed.”
Flanigan said the Red Cross is grateful for the support of volunteers, community and generous donors. “Together they make it possible for us to provide hope and relief to victims of home fires and other disasters,” she said.
Join the Disaster Action Team volunteers
After initial training, volunteers can take shifts that may include responding to emergencies within two hours, day or night, rain or shine, either on the scene or coordinating remotely to provide immediate compassion and care. With experience and further training, volunteers can take on leadership and coordination roles to have a wider impact and be eligible for deployment to large scale emergencies/disasters in Nevada and other parts of the country. To learn more, visit redcross.org/DAT.
To learn about Red Cross volunteer positions in Southern Nevada, contact Bonnie Cook at bonnie.cook@redcross.org, call 702-268-3207, or visit redcross.org/volunteer.
Protect your home from fire. Get free smoke alarms and fire safety education
Residents interested in fire prevention assistance can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Nevada to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation. During the 20-minute home visit, Red Cross volunteers will also share information on home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.
Home fire campaign saves lives
Since 2014, the Red Cross has worked with community partners to save nearly 1,900 lives nationwide by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans, and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.