Red Cross outreach teams working in C.O.
Red Cross volunteers from around the region — Salem, Bend, Portland and southwest Washington — are gathered in central Oregon to assist communities affected by the swath of wildfires across the region and state.
Teams have been conducting outreach at grocery stores, community centers, parks and other areas, armed with wildfire preparedness information including coloring books and material geared to youth.
On Saturday, several hundred pieces were handed out to concerned residents in Warm Springs, Prineville and Mitchell. On Sunday, Red Cross workers will be in Madras, Maupin and Antelope.
In addition to the printed preparedness information, the Red Cross Wildfire mobile app is a valuable resource. The free app provides information on what to do before, during and after a wildfire. Melinda Davis, preparedness and community partner manager for the Red Cross Cascades Region, points out that the app offers real-time wildfire safety tools.
“The app lists specific and simple steps such as meeting with family members to discuss what to do in case of a wildfire, what to pack and where to meet up if evacuated,” says Melinda, “and includes more targeted information such as how to turn off gas, water and electric utilities.”
Additional information can be found at www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps .
Red Cross Cascades Regional Disaster Program Officer Cara Sloman has been overseeing the agency’s response for the wildfires, encompassing shelter and operations near the Waterman Complex fires near Prineville and Mitchell, the Bridge 99 fires near Sisters and the Shaniko Butte fire near Warm Springs.
She coordinated the outreach activity to help inform the communities about specific actions that can be taken to mitigate the impact of wildfires.
“Many people know that the Red Cross is there to respond to disasters,” Sloman said. “We also take an active role in how to prepare for them.”
Prepare! A Resource Guide can be viewed by visiting the Preparedness Toolkit page on regional website: www.redcross.or/portland/preparedness-toolkit.
You can help people affected by disasters like the wildfires, and countless other rises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
Your contribution allows us to help disaster victims anywhere, anytime. Donations are used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance, as well as supporting the vehicles, warehouses and people that make that help possible.
Click, text or call to make a donation. Every single donation brings hope to those in need.
Visit www.redcross.org , call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
