ANCHORAGE, Alaska (MONDAY, DEC. 10, 2018) – The Red Cross of Alaska responds to calls for assistance, on average, nearly once a day state-wide. In fiscal year 2018, the Red Cross of Alaska opened 308 cases and assisted 892 people across 42 Alaskan communities.

Year-round, volunteers across the state offer their time and talent to serve their communities, and this week has been no different. Following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Southcentral Alaska on Nov. 30 and the thousands of aftershocks that continue to occur, Red Cross disaster workers mobilized in a matter of hours to assist affected communities.

“We can’t do what we do without our volunteers, who stand trained and ready to respond across the state,” said Kelley McGuirk, Regional Disaster Officer for the Red Cross of Alaska. “Because of the dedication of our donors and volunteers, our response efforts are truly community-based efforts – neighbors helping neighbors. We were here for our communities before this disaster and we’ll be here after this disaster as we recover together.”

NOV. 30 EARTHQUAKE: SERVICES DELIVERED TO DATE
The Red Cross of Alaska remains on the ground in Southcentral Alaska, offering comfort, relief supplies and support to those affected by Friday’s earthquake. 

• Working with partners, the Red Cross served more than 2,237 meals and snacks to affected residents across the region following the Nov. 30 earthquake.
• The Red Cross of Alaska provided 230 overnight stays in Red Cross shelters in Anchorage, Chugiak and Wasilla for those affected by the earthquake.  
• More than 250 disaster health and mental health contacts have been made to provide care and support to affected residents since Fri., Nov. 30.
• To date, the Red Cross of Alaska has mobilized 112 disaster workers to support residents in Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley and other affected areas since the earthquake.
• The Red Cross currently has dozens of volunteers dedicated to conducting detailed damage assessments accurately, efficiently and safely in the wake of the earthquake. Using cutting-edge technology that deploys advanced mapping and detailed demographics, teams are working diligently to locate and survey heavily damaged homes in the affected areas of Southcentral Alaska. Once damage is assessed, the Red Cross may be able to provide additional resources.

INTERVIEW AND B-ROLL OPPORUNITIES
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce “Make It Monday” Forum
Monday, Dec. 10th ∙ 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center ∙ 600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage

Kelley McGuirk, Regional Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross of Alaska, will give an overview of disaster response efforts in Fiscal Year 2018, as well as an overview of response and recovery efforts following the recent earthquake. In addition, there will be a special announcement at the end of the presentation, featuring a new partnership with Marathon Petroleum Corporation. 

Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle Tours
Monday, Dec. 10th ∙ 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Outside entrance of Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center ∙ 600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage

Tim Irving, American Red Cross Disaster Program Specialist, will lead tours through the Red Cross of Alaska emergency response vehicle - parked on the corner of 7th and F St. – highlighting its functionality and capabilities to serve Alaskans during a disaster. The demonstrations will last approximately 10 minutes, and there will be an opportunity for questions at the end of each tour.

About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In FY18, the American Red Cross of Alaska offered food, shelter, comfort and hope to 892 Alaskans. We responded to 308 disasters. Our preparedness/Health and Safety teams installed 2,309 smoke alarms statewide and educated 1,722 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Additionally, our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,161 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of donors to provide aid to those that have been affected by disaster.