Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680

LAS VEGAS (July 5, 2022) — American Red Cross of Southern Nevada staff and Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to five home fires yesterday and this morning assisting 24 residents with their immediate needs, including helping provide access to safe lodging last night.

“Our Red Cross volunteers and staff are trained to help support their community and neighbors in times of crisis,” 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.”

Red Cross volunteers and staff often respond to home fires, which are the nation’s most frequent disaster and can leave a family devastated and in need of immediate assistance. Disaster Action Team members provide emotional support, access to financial assistance, and valuable information to help families begin to recover.

“This weekend illustrates how important these specialized volunteers are to this community,” Flanigan said. “They provide immediate compassion and care when it is needed most. Without the Red Cross and its volunteers, these 24 displaced residents may not have had the support they needed.”

Additional Disaster Action Team volunteers are needed in Southern Nevada to ensure that there is always someone ready to answer the call when a disaster strikes. To learn more about volunteering for the Disaster Action Team or other Red Cross volunteer opportunities, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

The Red Cross provides training for Disaster Action Team Volunteers
After initial training, volunteers can take shifts that may include responding to emergencies within two hours, night or day, 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 response 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.

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.