Oregon Trail Chapter Latest News

PORTLAND, Ore. – September 19, 2006 –American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers were called to respond to two fires within a half-hour this morning.

Disaster Action Team members were on the scene to help displaced residents at an apartment fire in Hillsboro, while other volunteers assisted a family in Southeast Portland whose home was destroyed by fire.

Six Red Cross volunteers were on hand at the Amber Woods apartments in Hillsboro before 10 a.m. to provide 13 displaced adults, children, infants and teenagers with lodging, food, and financial assistance for clothing and replacement items. A Red Cross volunteer nurse helped to replace eyeglasses and prescription medications lost in the fire, and Spanish translation services were provided by a Red Cross responder on the scene.

During that time, thirty miles away, five Red Cross volunteers were providing immediate assistance to residents of a home on SE Liebe Street that was completely destroyed by fire early this morning. Everyone in the home—two adults, three children, and two dogs—escaped safely and have been provided lodging, food, and clothing. The responders included a Disaster Mental Health volunteer to offer emotional support, as well as family service caseworkers and a Red Cross nurse to replace lost medications.

In addition to the fire response this morning, the Oregon Trail Chapter is participating with canteen services during a city-wide terrorism exercise at Mount Tabor and Fire Station 2 on Sandy Boulevard. Food and drinks are being distributed through the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and the new Emergency Kitchen Response Vehicle (EKRV).

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 Oregon Trail Chapter volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters an average of every 40 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