Volunteers with our Disaster Action Team responded to two home fires across Northwest Illinois from October 25 through today. Our volunteers helped residents impacted by incidents in Freeport and Fulton, Illinois where these home fires occurred.

In the past week, Red Cross volunteers assisted 16 individuals, including four children with temporary emergency housing, health services, disaster mental health services, financial assistance and information about recovery planning.

If you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster, please call our dispatch line: 1-877-597-0747. 

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY Test your smoke alarms and practice your two-minute home fire escape drill — the amount of time that experts say you may have to get out before it’s too late. Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like and talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information. You can also download our free Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps). Children can also learn what to do during a home fire and other emergencies with free resources at redcross.org/YouthPrep.

ONGOING NATIONAL BLOOD & PLATELET SHORTAGE: GIVE BLOOD TO HELP NOW
The current emergency blood and platelet shortage is having a significant impact on the national blood inventory. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS to give now and in the weeks ahead to overcome this current shortage.  Blood product distributions to hospitals continue to remain strong, significantly outpacing blood donations. The Red Cross needs to collect at least 10,000 more blood products each week in the coming weeks to meet the needs of patients in hospitals across the country.

Blood transfusions are one of the most common hospital procedures in the U.S. – used to help treat kids battling cancer, accident victims being rushed to emergency rooms, individuals experiencing extreme sickle cell disease pain, and people with complicated childbirths. It is the blood already on hospital shelves that makes a lifesaving difference.

Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

YOUR LOCAL RED CROSS NEEDS YOU: JOIN OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS
The Red Cross needs new volunteers to support our local communities. We encourage you to join our team of dedicated volunteers who every day are making a difference in the lives of so many. To VOLUNTEER, visit redcross.org/Volunteer to sign up. All are welcome!

Disaster Action Team Member– Local Disaster Action Teams (DAT) provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly home fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. If you are team-oriented and want to help your neighbor, the DAT responder may be just the thing for you.

Health Professionals– The Red Cross also needs volunteers who can help address the health needs of those impacted by disasters, including home fires. These volunteers provide hands-on care in alignment with their professional licensure (registered nurse and licensed nurse/licensed vocational nurse). We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available. If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with a current and unencumbered license, this position could be right for you.

Blood Donor Ambassador – These volunteers ensure blood donors have a pleasant and fulfilling experience, from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave! They welcome visitors to the Red Cross facilities or blood drives and take their temperatures before they enter. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, course participants and Red Cross employees and volunteers. The Red Cross collects and distributes about 40 percent of our nation’s blood supply. When you help create a fulfilling donation experience and encourage visitors to make a long-term commitment to regular donations, you improve our ability to meet this critical need. Each volunteer shift you take is another opportunity to help save lives. 

Blood Transportation Specialist – These deliver life-saving blood products from Red Cross distribution facilities to hospitals, using a Red Cross-owned vehicle. You’ll also need to meet these important qualifications: Have a valid state driver’s license and proof of insurance, have three years driving experience and a clean driving record. 
 

About the American Red Cross of Illinois
The American Red Cross of Illinois serves 12.4 million people in 88 counties in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri including Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cook, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Richland, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson Winnebago, Woodford. Iowa: Lee, Muscatine, Scott and Van Buren. Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion and Ralls. 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 us at Redcross.org/Illinois or visit us on Twitter @RedCrossIL.