Oregon Trail Chapter Latest News

HILLSBORO, Ore. – February 6, 2006 – Nine more people are guests of the Red Cross this morning, after a midnight dryer fire triggered alarms and sprinklers at their apartment on NW Autumn Creek Way, off NW 206th Avenue.

Three volunteer responders from the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter rolled after Disaster Assistance Team Four was called for, shortly after twelve thirty this morning by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. That team was dispatched to help the family of seven plus their two guests from California, one of six disasters the team of Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers were called to since their week's tour of duty began at five p.m. Friday. Once on the scene, Team Four's volunteers arranged for lodging, plus cash assistance for meals, replacement clothing and other replacement items for the family. No injuries to any of the clients are known.

Residents in other cases over the weekend (a fire at the home of seven in Aloha, a tree fall on home dislodging four Ranier residents, a fire in Gresham affecting a family of seven, and calls for assistance in Astoria and Garibaldi) were also helped by Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers as well, some of whom also responded to this morning's conflagration.

Although only twenty-seven people were displaced by these four disasters, losing a home to fire is just as significant to that family as the destruction of a hurricane or tornado. These smaller, less newsworthy disasters happen, on average, every 32 hours in the seven-county area (Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Hood River, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill) served by the volunteers and staff of the Oregon Trail Chapter.

Well-trained volunteers are ninety-two percent of the Red Cross response teams, and they stand ready to turn out and support individuals and families immediately after disaster strikes. They serve your family, neighbors and friends at local fires, floods and other disasters, and acquire the data and make assessments needed to provide financial assistance, health services and mental health support. Our community and our nation is better prepared for major catastrophe as a result of the constant and ongoing experience provided when responding to these smaller everyday disasters.

All relief aid and services are provided to clients free of charge, thanks to the generosity of Oregonians and donors across the nation. For more information about donating to or volunteering for Red Cross relief work, visit www.redcross-pdx.org or call 503-284-1234.

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Local Red Cross volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters an average of every 32 hours. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org

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American Red Cross, Oregon Trail volunteers respond to house fires every 32 hours on average.
To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, please call (503) 528-5634.
To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.redcross-pdx.org