Inside Crossroads Learn more about the Red Cross Central Valley. Visit www.redcross. org/centralvalleyregion today. The wildfire season may be near an end, but the threat to rural communities is far from over. The Red Cross is now educating at-risk neighborhoods on how to prepare for landslide dangers. Wildfires can destroy natural foliage that stops the flow of mud and debris. Visit redcross.org to learn more about landslide safety. The Threat Isn’t Over smart decisions in the event of a wildfire in their community. Participants also had the opportunity to explore what resources are needed if they are sheltering-in-place during or after a disaster, and what supplies were needed in a home emergency kit. Participants left the Wild Firestopper program empowered and educated on the proper response to wildfires or other disaster in their community, thanks to the Red Cross. The new home fire prevention campaign comes on the heels of the Central Valley’s latest fire prevention program specifically designed for rural communities in the Central Valley: Wild Firestopper. “The drought conditions have been so severe,” said Executive Director Ellen Knapp, “that we saw a need to protect these families before a wildfire even starts.” 246 individuals were educated through the new Wild Firestopper program this year, which taught families the skills to make Red Cross Going Wild - Firestopper! Do you know how much time you have to escape a burning home? Experts agree that people may have as little as two minutes to evacuate, but a new survey shows that most Americans mistakenly believe they have more than five minutes. This shocking statistic is the result of a new national survey conducted by the Red Cross which shows that many Americans have a false sense of security about surviving a fire. The survey is part of a new home fire prevention campaign just launched by The Red Cross which aims to reduce death and injuries from home fires by as much as 25% over the next five years. Currently, home fires in the United States kill more than 2,500 people each year and cause an average of 13,000 injuries. The campaign seeks to increase the use of smoke alarms and to encourage all Americans to practice fire escape plans. Red Cross Launches Home Fire Preparedness Campaign Fall 2014 A publication of the American Red Cross Central Valley P2 P3 P4 Introducing AmeriCorps Do You Know A Hero? Sara’s Story
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Inside
Crossroads
Learn more about the Red Cross Central Valley. Visit www.redcross.org/centralvalleyregion today.
The wildfire season may be near an end, but the threat to rural communities is far from over. The Red Cross is now educating at-risk neighborhoods on how to prepare for landslide dangers. Wildfires can destroy natural foliage that stops the flow of mud and debris. Visit redcross.org to learn more about landslide safety.
The Threat Isn’t Over
smart decisions in the event of a wildfire in their community. Participants also had the opportunity to explore what resources are needed if they are sheltering-in-place during or after a disaster, and what supplies were needed in a home emergency kit.
Participants left the Wild Firestopper program empowered and educated on the proper response to wildfires or other disaster in their community, thanks to the Red Cross.
The new home fire prevention campaign comes on the heels of the Central Valley’s latest fire prevention program specifically designed for rural communities in the Central Valley: Wild Firestopper.
“The drought conditions have been so severe,” said Executive Director Ellen Knapp, “that we saw a need to protect these families before a wildfire even starts.”
246 individuals were educated through the new Wild Firestopper program this year, which taught families the skills to make
Red Cross Going Wild - Firestopper!
Do you know how much time you have to escape a burning home? Experts agree that people may have as little as two minutes to evacuate, but a new survey shows that most Americans mistakenly believe they have more than five minutes.
This shocking statistic is the result of a new national survey conducted by the Red Cross which shows that many Americans have a false sense of security about surviving a fire. The survey is part of a new home fire prevention campaign just launched by The Red Cross which aims to reduce death and injuries from home fires by as much as 25% over the next five years.
Currently, home fires in the United States kill more than 2,500 people each year and cause an average of 13,000 injuries. The campaign seeks to increase the use of smoke alarms and to encourage all Americans to practice fire escape plans.
Red Cross Launches Home Fire Preparedness Campaign
Fall 2014A publication of the American Red Cross Central Valley
P2 P3 P4Introducing AmeriCorps Do You Know A Hero? Sara’s Story
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Team Firestopper Season Four
This summer we said goodbye to AmeriCorps members Amitai Zuckerman and Samantha Minks and thanked them for their 11 months of dedication and service. But the moment was bittersweet, because returning AmeriCorps member Veronica Lases was joined by five new members for the 2014-2015 year: Alexandria Desiga, Korri Faria, Elizabeth Barragan, Daniel Avina, and Andrew Basham make up the new AmeriCorps National Preparedness and Response Corps team.
Veronica will now cover the entire region in the newly established Latino Outreach program, working with the Valley’s Spanish speaking communities. Alexandria and Elizabeth will work with Veronica out of the Fresno office and cover Fresno,
Follow along with the AmeriCorps members on their journey through the Red Cross Central Valley Blog, at arccentralvalley.blogspot.com
To learn more about Team Firestopper or to volunteer for an upcoming event, visit www.redcross.org/centralvalleyregion
Why is the Red Cross focusing on home fire disasters? Home fire rates in Central California are some of the highest in the nation. The Central Valley Region responded to over 600 local disasters last year, 90% of which were home fires.
The Red Cross Disaster Action Team assisted men, women, and children from throughout the Valley with shelter, food, clothing, mental health services, and were given a plan to recover.
Recognizing A Need
share important fire safety information. Residents will then be invited to attend a fire safety seminar in their community where they will receive valuable resources and life saving equipment like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and surge protectors.
This unique Central Valley program compliments the new Red Cross national campaign for home fire prevention by educating and preparing families for emergencies.
Learn how you or your business can be a part of Team Firestopper. Call the Fresno Red Cross office today at (559)455-1000.
The Red Cross Central Valley has kicked off Season Four of the flagship program, Team Firestopper, sponsored by Pacific Gas & Electric Company. This year volunteers will be reaching out to communities in Madera, Bakersfield, Corcoran, Selma, Wasco, and Coalinga.
Red Crossers will be going door to door in each neighborhood to
6 Communities. 12,000 Homes.
Introducing the 2014-2015 AmeriCorps TeamMadera, Merced, and Mariposa counties. Korri and Andrew are based in Visalia, covering Tulare and Kings County. Daniel is stationed in Bakersfield, conducting outreach in Kern County.
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Don’t forget, #GivingTuesday is December 2nd!
It’s the season for giving: stocking stuffers, secret Santa gifts, and office parties. But it’s also the perfect opportunity for charitable giving.
The Red Cross Holiday Catalog is your chance to give the lasting and meaningful gift of helping others in need. Choose between Red Cross merchandise or select a relief item from the list to symbolize your contribution.
Shop the holiday catalog for yourself, your employees, or friends and family. Consider giving something that means something this holiday season.
Holiday Giving 2014
Give Something That Means Something
To nominate a hero today, visit redcross.org/centralvalleyregion.To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jane Fortune: (559)455-1000 x6613, [email protected]
Real Hero Event: Honoring Valley HeroesHeroes are born every day in the Central Valley. The annual Real Hero event on March 20, 2015 is our chance to honor selfless acts of courage and humanitarian service by real people in our community.
This 1940’s themed evening is the only fundraising event for the Central Valley Chapter all year, and proceeds support disaster relief services in our local community.
As you walk down the red carpet into the airplane hangar, you’ll be transported back in time to the era of big bands, victory rolls, and Bob Hope. Jitterbug the night away to live music, or admire the classic mid-century cars and airplanes on display. Peruse through the hundreds of unique silent auction items up for grabs or make your way to the bar for a classic Hurricane or Manhattan.
But the real headliners at the annual event are the Heroes. The Red Cross is accepting Hero nominations now through January 31, 2015. Categories include: Youth Hero, Good Samaritan Hero, Law Enforcement Hero, Fire Rescue Hero, Community Partner Hero, Health Care Hero, Military Hero, Animal Rescue Hero, and Spirit of the American Red Cross.
These Heroes embody the heart of the Red Cross mission: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.
In addition to nominations, you can honor a hero through an event sponsorship or event program acknowledgment. Your gift will go directly towards local humanitarian services, and your business will be associated with one of the most recognized and trusted organizations in the world: the Red Cross.
“By supporting the Real Hero Event you join the Red Cross in celebrating community pride in our local heroes,” said Inland Star CEO Michael Kelton, “This mission driven event honors ordinary people doing extraordinary acts of courage and kindness.”
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Upcoming Events Giving Tuesday: December 2, 2014 Start the holiday shopping season by giving a little more.
Holiday Mail For Heroes: December 5, 2014 Join us at the Visalia Mall to sign cards for veterans.
Real Hero Event: March 20, 2015 The annual fundraiser to honor our local heroes.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more exciting community events
Visit redcross.org/centralvalleyregion to learn more.
clothing assistance, but also hope and comfort.
“When the Red Cross volunteer came by, it lifted us up,” said Sara, “because she helped us. Nobody helped us the way the Red Cross has.”
Volunteers respond every 18 hours in the Central Valley to assist families like Sara’s.
“You guys are awesome!” Sara exclaimed, “Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!”
Sara and her three-year-old son were sitting in their Fresno home on a Saturday afternoon when they first heard the alarm.
“It happened so fast,” she said, “We lost everything in 9 to 11 minutes. Everything we owned was gone, just like that.”
As they watched their home go up in flames, Sara worried about what to do next. Then help arrived. A local Red Cross Disaster Action Team member responded immediately and helped Sara not only with lodging, food, and
Sara’s Story
In September volunteers in the Central Valley contributed over 1,200 hours of their time helping in their communities. From educating students on the importance of emergency preparedness to opening wildfire shelters, volunteers make up well over 90% of the Central Valley’s outreach and response.
Red Cross Volunteers: Changing Lives Everyday
Central Valley Chapter1300 W. Shaw Ave. Suite 4BFresno, CA 93711
