(Press Release) — Red Cross volunteers from the NMI Chapter responded to a structure fire in Koblerville early Wednesday morning.
Around 1:45 a.m., Disaster Action Team volunteers received a call regarding a structure fire that occurred in Koblerville. Upon arriving to the scene, Red Cross volunteers were informed that there were several residents displaced from their homes due to the smoke and heat caused by the fire.
“It is indeed a sad situation, but we are happy that we can help” said Jack Amirez, one of the responding volunteers with the Red Cross.
Red Cross volunteers were able to provide those affected with assistance for food and shelter as they were displaced from their homes.
Responding with Jack Amirez were volunteers Richard Defan, Janet Santos, and Chloe Sin who assisted with logistical and virtual support.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of the American Red Cross and we are extremely grateful and appreciative of all that they do” said John Hirsh, the executive director of the American Red Cross. “Whether it is responding to a flood, fire, or typhoon, our volunteers are committed to assisting our community 24/7,” he added.
Simple steps to save lives
The Red Cross is calling on everyone to take two simple steps that can save lives: practice fire drills at home and check existing smoke alarms.
There are several things families and individuals can do to increase their chances of surviving a fire:
• If someone doesn’t have smoke alarms, install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Local building codes vary and there may be additional requirements where someone lives.
• If someone does have alarms, test them today. If they don’t work, replace them.
• Make sure that everyone in the family knows how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.
• Practice the fire escape plan. What’s the household’s escape time?
What people can do
People can visit redcross.org/homefires to find out more about how to protect themselves and their loved homes from fire.
