Additional Vehicle, New Trailer
to Strengthen Red Cross Disaster Response
News Release: August 13, 2009
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771

Following the ceremonial snip of the ribbon, the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley officially unveiled its newest response vehicle and trailer today to the applause of funders, Red Cross volunteers, employees and general public.

"We are deeply grateful to our contributors who made the purchase of this vehicle and trailer possible," Executive Director John R. Hughes told guests at the gathering. "Thanks to their generosity, the Red Cross will be better able to provide onsite confidential client casework and open shelters for displaced residents in the event of a larger-scale disaster in Carbon, Lehigh or Northampton counties."

Funding for the new disaster response vehicle - a 2008 Dodge Sprinter - was financed in part by $45,000 in grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development through Senators Lisa Boscola and Pat Browne; and Representatives Craig Dally, Julie Harhart, Jennifer Mann, Doug Reichley and Steve Samuelson. The Harry C. Trexler Trust provided $10,000 in funding for the vehicle.

The Haulmark transport trailer, which will house 250 cots and blankets, was purchased with a $7,500 grant from The Century Fund.
"This vehicle will provide us with a compact mobile office and will be versatile enough to perform other functions," said Ed Lenny, disaster services volunteer. "Our clients will be better served, especially when we are responding to multiple incidents. In addition, the new trailer will enable us to move vital supplies and equipment much more quickly to emergency shelter sites."

The Sprinter was purchased at Brown Daub in Bath and upfitted by DeWalt's RV in Easton. A generator, roof-mounted air conditioner, external and internal lighting, wiring for electronic equipment, pedestal tables and chairs were added to the vehicle. The vehicle will be housed in the chapter's Disaster Operations Center at its headquarters on Avenue A in Bethlehem.

The trailer, which measures 7' x 16' and can hold 250 cots and blankets, was purchased from Haulmark in McAdoo. The trailer will be kept at a 24-hour secured and accessible site on PPL Corp. property.

The latest addition brings the chapter's response fleet to three. Sister vehicles include an Astro van which is used primarily to transport small quantities of disaster supplies, and a 22-foot command vehicle purchased in 2000. The command vehicle has a fully equipped kitchen for feeding emergency personnel and disaster workers and an area to meet privately with clients.

The American Red Cross responds to a disaster once every three days, on average. The majority of disasters are residential fires. Last year, the Red Cross responded to 102 disasters and provided disaster aid such as lodging, clothing, shoes and meals to 526 residents.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves nearly 690,000 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 24,000 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.