Families Assisted By Red Cross After Early Morning Fires In Southern Delaware – Disaster Volunteers Kept Busy

Seaford, DE – January 19, 2007 – Red Cross volunteers responded to two separate fires in today’s early morning hours. First a team of four Red Cross Disaster volunteers arrived on the scene after a fire damaged a single-family dwelling in Dover, which housed ten adults and one child. The Disaster Action Team provided assistance for the six residents on the scene with temporary food, clothing, and shelter. A stuffed animal was offered to the small child along with compassion and comfort kits to help ease the loss of those affected. Recovery guides were distributed to assist with longer-term care.

Another team of two disaster volunteers responded to a second fire in Frankford, DE, where a fire destroyed a residence of two related families which affected four adults and four children. The Red Cross volunteers provided food, clothing and shelter to assist the families with their immediate emergency needs and a booklet for guidance in their longer term recovery. The Fire Department also administered oxygen to the family pet, a small kitten, before the Red Cross contacted the SPCA to care for the animal during the recovery period.

Since disasters happen at any time, varying in size and frequency, volunteers are always needed. All disaster training is free and equips volunteers with the skills they need to help others. A volunteer orientation will be at the Southern Delmarva Office in Seaford on February 15, 2007 from 5:30-6:30pm. Register by calling Sarah Gilmour at (302) 472-6260 or sgilmour@redcrossdelmarva.org.

The Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula also offers First Aid courses. For more information and tips to keep you pets safe in times of disaster please visit www.redcrossdelmarva.org/keep_pets_safe.htm.