(Vancouver, Wash. – August 10, 2009 – 2:45 p.m.) Southwest Washington Red Cross
 
Southwest Washington Red Cross volunteers mobilized with a Disaster Action Team rig at 3:51 a.m. and then again at 5:45 a.m. Sunday morning to serve the immediate needs of Clark County residents who were displaced by fire.

The first fire was a single family dwelling located on NE 103rd.  Two Red Cross volunteers provided the two displaced people with a voucher for emergency food. Fortunately, they had somewhere else to stay due to the generosity of others.

The second fire, located at NE 51st Circle, involved the evacuation of all 22 units in an apartment building which was one of several buildings of an apartment complex. At least 12 of the units were damaged by fire. Seven Red Cross emergency responders assisted 31 affected individuals with immediate needs.  Of those, 6 people were provided vouchers for emergency shelter from one to three nights. Fortunately, others had renters insurance or somewhere else to stay. Southwest Washington Red Cross provided emergency vouchers for food and clothing amounting to several thousand dollars in immediate assistance.

Today, Red Cross volunteers continue to assist everyone affected by these fires by facilitating additional assistance from St. Vincent DePaul and the Salvation Army.  These wonderful community partners help provide furniture and additional clothing as these Clark County residents move forward to re-establish their lives.

This time of year is especially busy for your local Red Cross emergency assist teams. They are responding once every three days to a fire within our six county area at no cost to the community. Our financial resources are stretched thin and donations made at this time would truly fill a need. Disaster services provided by Southwest Washington Red Cross are made possible by the generosity of local residents.  To donate please call toll free 888-434-1966 or DONATE ONLINE.

Southwest Washington Red Cross is not a government agency. We provide services in Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania and Klicitat counties in Washington State. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization led by volunteers that depend on the goodwill of the American people to make financial donations to help their neighbors in times of need.

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