Practice Fire Safety

Red Cross volunteers have been responding to numerous house fires around the state of Utah! While our volunteers are on scene within two hours providing those affected by fire with immediate essential items like food, clothes and shelter our goal is also prevention. So I wanted to include in this blog post ways to prevent a fire from starting in your home:

If you're like me and love to cook, I highly recommend practicing cooking safety. So when I'm in the kitchen this Sunday mixing up a delicious Super Bowl menu for the Big Game, I plan to stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you do have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Check your food regularly and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking.

This freezing winter weather has surely caused many of you to pull out the portable heaters in your office, sleeping area, living room, etc. In order to prevent your heater from starting a fire make sure you turn it off when you leave the room!
While the Red Cross does not endorse smoking, if you choose to do so, make sure your butts are out and you never smoke in bed.

And last but not least (check out additional Red Cross safety tips here) talk to your children, family members and loved ones about the dangers of playing with fire.

Red Cross shelter update in Herriman

About 80 people spent last night at the Red Cross shelter at Herriman High School. Red Cross volunteers are on hand to provide medical attention, trauma counseling and emotional support. We will keep updating our Twitter @utahredcross with information.

For inquires about friends and loved ones in Herriman click here or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

To make a donation to the relief efforts click here.

Red Cross Helps 29 People Affected by Home Fires

Local Chapters of the American Red Cross Bringing Comfort to 29 People Affected by Home Fires in Utah this Week


Salt Lake City, UTAH (Thursday, July 7, 2010) — The American Red Cross Utah Region has helped 29 individuals so far after six home fires this week. Four fires occurred in the Greater Salt Lake Area, one in St. George and one in Logan, Utah. The disaster action teams are still working with many of the affected individuals to provide meals, clothing and assistance in finding a new place to live. Utah Region CEO, Maxine Margaritis said, “We’ve had a busy week. The Red Cross is here to help people in all kinds of disasters and home fires are the most common disaster we respond to here in Utah. We help people recover with immediate essential needs after they’ve lost everything unexpectedly. We want to remind everyone to think about fire prevention and to practice fire escape plans. Contact your local chapters of the Red Cross to learn more about fire prevention and visit our Web site for fire safety tips.”

The American Red Cross in Utah responded to 114 incidents during the past year, some of them rendering multiple families homeless. This year, the number will be even higher. Nationwide, the local chapters of the American Red Cross help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

Help people affected by disasters, like these fires, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, or your local Chapter. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

My What a Busy Week It's Been-And it's Only Wednesday!

The past two weeks have been extremely busy for our hard working Disaster Action Team (DAT) members. They have been responding to house fires pretty much daily since last week.

Some of you may remember my previous blog post documenting my very first fire response. It was an interesting and emotional experience that I would recommend to anyone.

When I first started my AmeriCorps term 6 months ago (wow, time sure does fly!) I had no idea the scope of the American Red Cross. We provide food, clothing, and shelter to anyone who has been displaced by an emergency or natural disaster. We can provide medical attention, both physical and mental including prescription refills that may have been lost.  We are able to ensure that those affected by a fire, flood, or other disaster can survive at least three days with our assistance.

It is amazing how much the American Red Cross is able to provide. However, this assistance is only possible with the generous donations from our community. If you or someone you know is interested in making a donation to the Red Cross, follow the link and you too can make a difference in the lives of others. Who knows when you might end up needing Red Cross help yourself.

Fire Response June 29, 2010

Yesterday I went on my first disaster response. We received a call at the office that a house in West Valley had caught fire. I have been itching to go on a response, so I jumped at the chance. With excitement and a little trepidation I went with Sherry and Kris on the response as a PIO/observer.

We arrived at the house; it was completely destroyed. I didn't expect to feel the intense emotions that overcame me. The couple, who have three children, were staring into their home in which nothing inside was recognizable except for a loose hanging chandelier; you could see through the roof. Their two pugs were inside, not able to make it out.

I completely forgot about taking pictures and getting the details to share with the American Red Cross community. My heart ached for this family. Sherry sat down with the home owner to fill out all of the required paperwork. I watched in earnest as Sherry informed him that we were able to help his family with food, clothing, and their necessary medication.

I finally began shooting with my new Flipcam. This is my first attempt at conveying the Red Cross mission through film. Nothing can compare to the despair I saw in the home owner's eyes, I hope this will show you what we do and how we help. When people are most vulnerable and devastated, the Red Cross is there to help.

Red Cross Supports 100 Firefighters

Red Cross Is Called Upon to

Provide Water and Food for approximately 100 Firefighters in Liberty Park

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (Saturday, June 12, 2010)— The American Red Cross is setting up to provide food and water for firefighters and first responders on the scene in Liberty Park at this hour. Red Cross Disaster Action Teams are on standby to provide any additional services as they may arise. More details coming soon.

The Utah Region of the American Red Cross responds to more than two incidents each week, some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

If you’d like to help, financial donations are always accepted to help victims of this fire and other disasters in your community. For more information about donating to the Chapter Emergency Services please go to www.utahredcross.org or call 801.323.7000.

Bringing Comfort to Family of Four after Fire

Local Chapter of the American Red Cross on the Scene

Bringing Comfort to Family of Four after Fire


Salt Lake City, UTAH ( Thursday, December 03, 2009)— This morning, the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping a family of four after a fire at their apartment in the 100 South block of Lincoln Street (900 East) in Salt Lake City. American Red Cross disaster action team volunteers are helping the father and three sons as needed with essential needs like clothing, food and shelter. The family woke up to the smell of smoke and escaped safely.

The American Red Cross in Utah responded to 114 incidents this past year, some of them rendering multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

Help people affected by disasters, like this fire, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, or your local Chapter. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

Fire in Taylorsville

Red Cross Disaster Action Team Helps Taylorsville Family after Fire

August 13, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH ( Friday, August 14, 2009)— Today the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping a mom and two young children after they had a fire in their apartment in Taylorsville in the 4500 block of Bridgeside Drive. Red Cross volunteer Damon Talbot said, “We are helping them with food and baby supplies today. They were able to move into another unit in the same apartment complex.” The fire occurred at about 7:30 last night, and the family contacted the Red Cross for assistance today. It has been a busy summer for disasters in Utah. During the past month, Red Cross local chapters responded to about 10 disasters, most of them home fires. Red Cross Chapters in Utah respond to about 200 incidents each year; some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children. Help people affected by disasters like this fire by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, or your local Chapter. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Learn more www.utahredcross.org.

Fire In Midvale Affects 2 Families

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (April 1, 2009) – The snow was coming down hard this morning in Midvale as two families watched their homes go up in flames. An American Red Cross Disaster Action Team was on the scene to help the 2 families with 6 individuals affected by the fire that blazed through their duplex homes. Volunteers Ashley Hodges, Bob Kelleher and Betty Moore helped the families, assessed their needs and offered assistance with immediate services like shelter, food and counseling if desired. Bob Kelleher said, “One of the families had just found out they had a death in their family and then coincidentally, had to deal with the trauma of this fire and losing everything they had. There were also several pets that are now missing from the two homes. ” The volunteer team leader, Ashley Hodges said, “They lost everything, these homes are totally destroyed.” The fire occurred at 7670 S. 415 E.

The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross responds to up to 100 incidents each year, some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

If you’d like to help, financial donations are always accepted to help victims of this fire and other disasters in your community. For more information about donating to the Chapter Emergency Services please go to www.utahredcross.org or call 801.323.7000.

Bringing Comfort to a Sandy Resident

Sandy, UTAH ( Tuesday, March 17, 2009)— This morning, the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping a Sandy resident after a fire heavily damaged this individual’s home at about 400 East and 8000 South. An American Red Cross disaster action team volunteer is on the scene to help as needed with essential needs like clothing, food and shelter.

The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross responds to up to 100 incidents each year, some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

If you’d like to help, financial donations are always accepted to help victims of this fire and other disasters in your community. For more information about donating to the Chapter Emergency Services please go to www.utahredcross.org or call 801.323.7000.

About the American Red Cross, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross by calling 801-323-7000 or visit www.utahredcross.org.

The American Red Cross helps family of 7 in Provo after fire

Provo, Utah ( Wednesday, March 04, 2009) — Tonight the Mountain Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping a family of 7, 5 adults and 2 children, after an apartment fire in Provo ripped through their building located at 511 North 100 West this afternoon. One person died in the fire.

Disaster volunteer Wendy McGee said, “We are helping one family affected by this fire so far. They were very grateful to see the Red Cross on the scene, they are glad they will have a place to stay tonight.” The Red Cross will help them with immediate and essential needs.

Red Cross Chapters in Utah respond to about 200 incidents each year, some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

If you’d like to help, financial donations are always accepted to help those affected by this fire and other disasters in your community.

The American Red Cross responds to help a family of 6 in Spanish Fork

Spanish Fork, UTAH (Tuesday, January 27, 2009) —Right now the American Red Cross is helping a family of 6 in Spanish Fork after a fire ripped through their home.

The Red Cross disaster action team volunteers helped the family with immediate emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing and comfort kits. The local Chapter will be helping them in the coming days.

Red Cross Chapters in Utah respond to about 200 incidents each year, some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

If you’d like to help, financial donations are always accepted to help those affected by this fire and other disasters in your community.

About the American Red Cross in Utah:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Chapter. Salt Lake Area 801-323-7000 or visit www.utahredcross.org, Provo Area (801) 373-8580 www.redcrossut.org, Ogden Area (801) 627-0000, www.redcrossutah.org

Disaster Relief Effort In Apartment Fire

Leonard Dubois, of the American Red Cross, Mountain Valley Chapter in Provo, reports the disaster relief efforts for the families in the recent, fatal apartment fire are going smoothly. He shared, "We have assisted 28 families. The donations from the community have been overwhelming and all of the clients are as happy as they can be considering the situation. Funeral services were held on Saturday for the one person that perished in the fire."

The American Red Cross responds to 4 separate fires over the holiday weekend -27 people affected

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (Tuesday, January 20, 2009) — This morning the Mountain Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping 16 people after an apartment fire in Provo ripped through their building located at 750 South and 650 West. One person was taken to the hospital. The local McDonalds and Denny’s donated breakfast for those residents this morning. Local authorities say the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Also this weekend, the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter disaster action team volunteers helped two separate families after house fires. Saturday night, a home in the Avenues burned leaving an extended family of 6 people in need of immediate services. The Red Cross volunteers are working with them to provide shelter and food. The home was located at 576 East 9th Avenue.

Another fire occurred at 7230 Adams in Magna on Sunday. Red Cross Volunteer Bob Kelleher said, “The house is a total loss, they lost everything.” The family of four also lost their two dogs and a pet lizard in the fire. Their children were devastated. A cat escaped through a window broken by firefighters.

In Ogden, the Northern Utah American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers helped one man, hospitalized, after his home burned in a fire that firefighters said started in the kitchen. The fire occurred early this morning at 1652 Dunsinane Circle in Ogden.

Chapters in Utah respond to about 200 incidents each year, some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

If you’d like to help, financial donations are always accepted to help those affected by these fires and other disasters in your community. For more information about donating to the Chapter Emergency Services please go to www.utahredcross.org or call 801.323.7000.

About the American Red Cross, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches life saving skills; supplies blood to more than 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross by calling 801-323-7000 or visit www.utahredcross.org.

Single Mom and 10 Children Helped By Utah Red Cross

The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter helped a single mom cope after a fire burned their home this weekend in Salt Lake. She has 10 kids, 6 of them live at home. The disaster volunteers helped the family with lodging, food and clothing. The mom told us today, "God Bless the Red Cross," she said her heart dropped when she arrived to find her home on fire. "The help the Red Cross gave us uplifted me. I had nothing. I was crying. I was in shock. After I was able to get some clothes for my kids I felt so much better. Some of my kids didn't even have shoes after the fire."

Helping Those In Need

The American Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter continues to help about 40 people who are in need help with food, clothing and finding a new place to live just 2 weeks before Christmas. The local Chapter's disaster relief volunteers responded to a call in the middle of the night after a 4-alarm fire affected 2 buildings at an apartment complex on Saturday, December 13th. Two buildings were evacuated at the Incline Terrace apartments at 1044 E. 400 S. Building B residents were able to go back home, Building A residents can not go home to about 40 units.

The Red Cross opened a shelter at a nearby LDS church building at 1100 E. 454 S. About 15 people utilized the shelter that first night. Red Cross Disaster Volunteer, Jo-Lynn Hatch was on the scene and said, "Many of these people have lost everything they had." The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter will continue to work with the individuals in the coming days to help them get through the trauma of this fire and to help them get back on their feet. The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross responds to up to 100 incidents each year, some of them render multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children. If you’d like to help, financial donations are always accepted to help victims of this fire and other disasters in your community.

For more information about donating to the Chapter Emergency Services please go to www.utahredcross.org or call 801.323.7000.

Helping Those in Need

The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter responded to a fire on Wednesday, December 10th in Salt Lake that burned 4 people out of their home. The disaster volunteers helped the individuals with immediate essential needs like clothing, food and shelter. Ironically, while these volunteers were running to a fire to help people, other volunteers were delivering thank you cards and poinsettia plants (donated by Smith’s) to the Chapter’s top 100 donors. Those people fund and support the Chapter efforts and help make it possible for us to respond to people in disasters and help prepare our community for disasters and emergencies!

Help Those In Need

The Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter helped 9 families who lost their homes due to 3 separate fires this weekend. A 4-plex and 8 apartments and 1 home burned to the ground. The Red Cross was there to help with food, shelter and comfort.

Would you like to help? Stock up the emergency fund at your local chapter by donating online at utahredcross.org

Helping People on Their Very Worst Days

This weekend, 7 Disaster Response Volunteers, from the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, responded to a fire in Midvale, Utah. 31 units were on fire. People lost their homes and everything in them. The volunteers were on the scene working with and helping the people affected. The volunteers offered comfort and help with essential needs like clothing, meals, shelter. The apartment complex owner had some available furnished apartments in the complex, so the families were given a place to stay. The Red Cross provided assistance for clothing, meals and bedding. Residents reported two teenagers were running door to door, yelling and knocking to warn everyone about the fire. No one was injured.