Fresno, CA, April 5, 2012— Local American Red Cross volunteers responded to a residential fire on the 1200 block of San Bruno Ave in Fresno, CA at approximately 3:05AM this morning. The team of Red Cross volunteers helped coordinate assistance in the form of food, shelter, and emotional support to the 4 adults who were affected by the fire. This marked the 66th fire the Central Valley Chapter has responded to this year. Last year, the Central Valley Region responded to 545 fires.
“We’re deeply saddened for those affected,” said Ellen Knapp, Regional CEO. “As we continue to provide support to those affected, we also encourage others to take action to minimize the risk of a home fire.”
The Red Cross recommends two easy steps to help protect your home and loved ones from a fire: get a smoke alarm and create a fire escape plan.
- Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
- Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including bedrooms.
- Test smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year.
- Have a plan in place can help you escape, including at least two ways to escape from every room of your home and a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home.
- Discuss the plan with everyone in the household and practice it at least twice a year.
Red Cross volunteers on the scene were members of the Chapter’s Disaster Action Team, a group of specially trained volunteers who respond to the scene of a local disaster when called upon at any time of the day or night.
For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information visit www.redcross.org/homefires or www.arccentralvalley.org
To make a financial donation to your local Red Cross to help people affected by house fires and other disasters here in the United States and around the world, people can click, call or text - visit www.arccentralvalley.org, or call (559) 455-1000 or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
