LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10, 2021 — American Red Cross Los Angeles Region volunteers from the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter responded to an apartment fire impacting a family in Arcadia.

Early Wednesday morning, volunteers from the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) were able to coordinate emergency aid for a family of four, which included financial assistance, lodging and food, if needed. Due to COVID-19, DAT members adhere to all CDC and DPH guidelines and virtually contact those who are affected and in need of help.

“Home fires can occur at any time, even in the middle of the night,” said Ralph Galvan, Red Cross DAT volunteer. “To be able to provide support and assistance to someone during one of their darkest moments is deeply rewarding and the reason why I volunteer.”

SEE: How Red Cross provides assistance during COVID-19 pandemic (YouTube)

Every day people are forced from their home due to fires, storms and other disasters. Single- and multi-family fires account for 90 percent of disaster responses. Trained and available DAT volunteers are ready to respond to these emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From offering a caring and compassionate ear, to meeting any immediate needs for shelter or supplies, to connecting people with long term recovery services, our volunteers ensure that families don’t have to face tough times alone.

Red Cross volunteers have been trained to maintain social distancing and follow proper safety procedures to continue serving communities impacted by local disasters, during the coronavirus outbreak.

STAY SAFE FROM HOME FIRES Test your smoke alarms monthly and practice your home fire escape plan until everyone can escape in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late.

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:

• Make a financial donation to your local Red Cross to help people affected by home fires and other disasters in the United States and around the world. Visit redcross.org/donate.
• Visit redcross.org/fire for home fire safety information, including an escape plan to practice with your family.
• Become a Red Cross volunteer by applying at redcross.org/volunteer.
• Download the Red Cross Emergency App by visiting redcross.org/apps or texting 'GETEMERGENCY' to 90999. This all-inclusive app combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And the Monster Guard mobile app is specially designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game.

Families in our community, across the country and around the world turn to the Red Cross every day to help #EndHomeFires. Hospital patients still need lifesaving blood; neighbors still need food, shelter and care after disasters; and military families still need support. Your help is needed to fulfill the urgent needs of our mission today at redcross.org/la.

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/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.