Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (April 8, 2023) — American Red Cross of Utah and its Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to 15 home fires statewide in March, assisting 70 residents with their immediate needs, including making sure they had a safe place to stay.
“Red Cross volunteers and staff help support their communities and neighbors,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “Our specialized Disaster Action Team volunteers are trained to provide emotional support, access to financial assistance and valuable information during times of crisis to help families begin to recover.”
Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster and can leave a family devastated and in need of urgent assistance. “We think this past month illustrates how important these crisis volunteers are to our community,” Ruster said. “They provide immediate compassion and care when displaced residents need it most. Without the Red Cross and its volunteers, these 70 displaced residents may not have had the support they needed.”
Last month, volunteers responded day and night to home fires across the state, including responses in Salt Lake, Ogden, Orem, Spanish Fork, Clearfield, and Vineyard. “We are grateful for the support of our volunteers, community, and all the generous donors who make it possible for us to provide hope and relief to victims of home fires and other disasters,” Ruster said.
Join the Disaster Action Team volunteers
An additional 40 volunteers are needed in Utah to ensure there is always someone ready to answer the call when a disaster strikes. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteer.
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 coordination roles to have a wider impact and be eligible for deployment to large scale emergencies/disasters in Utah and other parts of the country.
To sign up for a volunteer position in the Salt Lake City area and Northern Utah, contact Julie Schwartz at julie.schwartz@redcross.org or 385-258-5310, or visit RedCross.org/volunteertoday.
To volunteer in Central or Southern Utah, contact Bonnie Cook at bonnie.cook@redcross.org or 702-268-3207, or visit RedCross.org/DAT.
Free smoke alarms and fire safety educations available
Residents interested in fire prevention assistance can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Utah to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation. During the 20-minute home visit, Red Cross volunteers will also share information on home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts, and how to create an escape plan.
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.