Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
ELKO, Nev. (Sept. 23, 2022) — Disaster Action Team volunteers from the American Red Cross of Northern Nevada responded to a fire in Elko that damaged four homes yesterday morning coming to the aid of displaced families.
“Our Disaster Action Team volunteers are trained to help support the community and neighbors in times of need,” said Mary Powell, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Northern Nevada Chapter. “They are on duty every day to ensure that no one in Northern 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.
“Thursday’s fire illustrates how important these specialized volunteers are to the community” Powell said. “They provide immediate compassion and care when it is needed most. Without the Red Cross and its volunteers, these displaced residents may not have had the support they needed.”
Additional Disaster Action Team volunteers are needed in Elko and Elko County to ensure that there is always someone ready to answer the call when a disaster strikes. To learn more about the Disaster Action Team or other Red Cross volunteer opportunities, visit redcross.org/volunteer.
“Just knowing that someone is there to lend a helping hand during trying times provides the needed flicker of hope for our neighbors,” Powell said. “Please join us by volunteering to help as a Red Cross volunteer and ensure no one in Elko or the rest of Elko County has to face life’s emergencies alone.”
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.