Media Contact:       

Christine Welch, Communications Director
Email: christine.welch@redcross.org 
Phone: 909-374-0376             
                                                        

Volunteers Support Around-the-Clock Relief Effort
 

SAN BERNARDINO — August 26, 2021 — The American Red Cross of San Bernardino County continues to aid those affected by the South Fire. Since requested by authorities at the outbreak of the wildfire on August 25, disaster workers have supported a shelter at the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center at 15556 Summit Ave, Fontana, and provided a safe place to stay, along with food, hydration, health services and more, for 40 individuals who were displaced by the fire. All services are being delivered in accordance with COVID-19 safety precautions. Small and large animals can be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino. 

Trained Red Cross volunteers and staff remain on call around-the-clock and are ready to assist in various aspects including sheltering, feeding, disaster assessment, casework and more.

Right now, California is experiencing devastating wildfires, which have displaced thousands from their homes. A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving little time to get to safety. The Red Cross urges everyone to get ready for disasters by making preparedness a priority and shares the following tips:

Before a Wildfire

• Be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• Back your car into the garage or park it outside in the direction of your evacuation route.
• Confine pets to one room so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly. If you have time, gather items for pets, like leashes, bowls, toys, and food, and take them with you when you evacuate.
• Listen to local radio and television stations for updated emergency information including your safest escape route. 
• Check your emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply, especially medications and medical supplies. Make sure you include a mask and hand sanitizer with your kit. Keep it in the car.
• Don’t wait – evacuate: if you feel threatened or unsafe, you can choose to evacuate at any time. If you receive an official evacuation order, please heed the orders of local authorities and follow all instructions. 
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency App for safety information and weather alerts right at your fingertips.

Please follow @SoCal_RedCross on Twitter for the latest updates. Visit redcross.org/wildfire for information on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfires.
 

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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