Local Disaster Response Increases 35 Percent

Local Disaster Response Increases 35 Percent

News Release: January 30, 2007
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

During the first eight months of this fiscal year, your Red Cross has responded to 93 disasters, affecting 530 men, women and children. That's an increase of 35 percent in disasters and a 34 percent increase in people helped compared to the same time period last year.

Thanks to our Red Cross volunteers and donors, we provided lodging, vouchers for food, clothing, shoes, and mental health counseling to help residents get back on their feet.

Fire is a preventable disaster, which makes the 400,000-plus home fires that affect families across the United States every year a significant social issue. Fires are just as devastating to a family as a hurricane is to a community, causing physical damage, emotional suffering and even death.

Every household in the greater Lehigh Valley should take the time to develop a plan to help ensure every person will know how to escape quickly and safely if a fire occurs. We are committed not only to responding to help meet the needs of home fire victims, but also to teaching people the skills they need to keep their families safe from home fires and other disasters.

For information on fire safety, call (610) 865-4400 or click on Disaster Services on this Web site.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 23,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.