Wilmington, DE – February 26, 2006 – A family of 9 adults were assisted by the American Red Cross after a kitchen fire damaged their home on Friday night. The family’s landlord provided them with a safe place to stay across the street from their rental unit, while Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers provided food, comfort kits, information to assist with their disaster recovery and referrals to other community resources for their other needs.

“More Disaster Action Team volunteers are needed in Cecil and Kent counties, especially during the day, and we provide free disaster training”, said Pat Smythe, Readiness and Planning Administrator with the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula. The training consists of at least 3 modules covering Community Services (caring for mass populations following a disaster), Family Services (casework for victims of disaster) and Shelter Operations. A Disaster Mini-Institute is planned for the weekend of March 11 and 12 at the Red Cross office, 207 Blue Ball Avenue in Elkton. Interested participants should call James Klawitter at (800) 777-6620 for more information and to register.

The American Red Cross takes care of the immediate basic needs – including shelter, food and clothing – of all those affected whenever disaster strikes – free of charge. Volunteers and staff are on call 24/7 to meet with those affected by disaster and ensure that they are helped in the immediate hours following the disaster, and afterwards as they get back on their feet. Since the Red Cross is not a governmental agency, it relies on the contributions of time, talent and financial donations from the American public to respond to disasters wherever they occur.