Red Cross volunteer Richard Strayves guides a Courtyard Apartments resident to a SEPTA bus as she prepares to leave the shelter. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross
It’s one of the hottest days of the summer and your 25-story apartment building just lost power. A firefighter knocks on your door, telling you to evacuate. But how are you going to get your wheelchair down from the 11th floor? Oh, that’s right – the firefighters have a stair chair. It’s a little scary at first – being carried down in what amounts to a seated dolly, but, unfortunately, you’ve done this before. You remind the firefighter that your insulin needs to stay refrigerated, and you worry about who will care for your cat.
For residents of Courtyard Apartments at Riverview in South Philadelphia, the scene is eerily familiar. For the second time in just over a month, a small electrical fire led to the building’s evacuation. Those who couldn’t stay with friends or family were bussed to Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (Kensington CAPA), where the American Red Cross and Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM) set up an emergency shelter.
Red Cross disaster workers operated the first shelter for 11 days, starting overnight June 23rd through July 2nd. Just a few weeks later, many of those same workers were greeted like old friends by many of the same apartment residents as they arrived at Kensington CAPA overnight June 29th.
“Here we are again,” one of the residents sighed, greeting a Red Cross volunteer he recognized from his earlier stay. Overall, the sentiment, “I can’t believe this is happening again,” was palpable.
On a positive note, Red Cross and OEM disaster workers learned a few lessons between shelter operations and already anticipated many of the residents’ needs. From day one, Cantonese and Vietnamese interpreters, licensed practical nurses and fire department EMTs were stationed at the shelter, and vegetarian meal options and SNAP food replacement forms were available.
Left: Red Cross volunteers Rahel Pachter and Roy Landes interact with apartment resident Ann Cope and her cat, Nala, at the Kensington CAPA shelter. Right: Ann's cat Nala hangs out in her pet crate. Photos by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross
Red Cross volunteer pet liaison lead Rahel Pachter led the charge to retrieve residents’ pets from their apartments and transport them to the shelter, where OEM and Animal Care and Control (ACCT) Philly provided crates and supplies.
“I could just kiss you!” apartment resident Ann Cope told Rahel when she was reunited with her beloved cat, Nala.
Ann was devastated to leave Nala behind during her first shelter stay. At that time, OEM and the apartment management coordinated with ACCT to care for residents’ pets inside their apartments.
With her wheelchair in front of Nala’s crate on Wednesday, Ann said, “I was sitting right there last night,” pointing across the gymnasium to her cot, “and I watched every move she made.”
Like Ann, Margaret Alston was happy to have her cat, Oreo, alongside her this time around. Looking for the positive in their situation, she said that being around a lot of people might make Oreo more social.
“I made new friends – people who live in my building that I didn’t know before staying here the first time,” she said, sitting on the gym floor in front of Oreo’s crate Friday. “Maybe Oreo will become more social, too.” She even ordered him a leash so he can take walks with her around the building when they return.
Left: Margaret Alston cuddles with her cat, Oreo, outside of his pet crate at the Kensington CAPA shelter. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross. Right: Red Cross Pet Liaison Lead Rahel Pachter climbed all 25 floors with a Philadelphia firefighter to retrieve pets from their apartments during the recent building evacuation. Submitted photo.
Along with resident Howard Bussey, Margaret presented Red Cross disaster workers with a giant ‘Thank You’ card near the end of their first shelter stay.
“It was Howard’s idea, but I bought the card, and we got everyone to sign it,” she said. “We’re just so grateful for everything the Red Cross has done – BOTH times now.”
Thankfully, their second stay was shorter than their first one. After four days, apartment management moved residents to a nearby hotel, where they will stay until repairs are completed.
Together, the two operations supported 673 overnight shelter stays, 3,375 meals and 1,910 snacks. Operation partners included the Philadelphia School District, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services, SEPTA, Salvation Army and Animal Care and Control (ACCT) Philly.
Hugs and handshakes were exchanged Friday, Aug. 1st as residents boarded SEPTA buses for their next destination. “Hopefully we won’t need you again,” one resident said jokingly as he left the shelter.
Hopefully not – but if they do, the Red Cross will be there.
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- Written by Alana Mauger
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