Monthly Archives: January 2019

Central Coast teams install 175 free smoke alarms in Seaside homes

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“Sound the Alarm” volunteers are shown in Seaside during the Central Coast Chapter’s installation of free smoke alarms in that city. (Photo by Russell Cole. Click here for a full-size image.)

On average, home fires kill 7 people and injure another 36 — every single day in the United States. That’s why the American Red Cross launched its nationwide Home Fire Campaign in 2014 with the goal of reducing the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent.

A key component of the campaign is a series of “Sound the Alarm – Save a Life” events in which Red Cross volunteers, working with local fire departments and other partners, visit high-risk neighborhoods to offer to install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms, and help families create escape plans. It is believed that the “Sound the Alarm” neighborhood visits have already saved more than 500 lives throughout the United States since the Home Fire Campaign began.

On Saturday, January 26, a Sound the Alarm event took place in the city of Seaside. That day, the American Red Cross of the Central Coast visited 69 homes in a 24-block area in the city, installing 175 free smoke alarms.

The volunteer teams also provided in-home fire and earthquake preparedness education during the home visits in that community, said Helen Cosentino, a Disaster Program Specialist for the local Red Cross chapter.

“A total of 36 volunteers made up 12 teams that conducted the home visits,” Cosentino said. “Because of volunteers’ great work that day, the 229 people who live in those homes are now much safer.”

In addition to Red Cross volunteers, the teams were supported by volunteers from UC Santa Cruz (the Rotaract youth club), from CERV (Community Emergency Response Volunteers), and from Seaside High School, Cosentino added. “We also received tremendous support from the Seaside Fire Department, which hosted us at their main station, joined our teams between emergency calls, and even generously donated breakfast and lunch for the volunteers. We are very grateful for the partnership we have with Fire Chief Brian Dempsey and members of his department.”

In addition to organizing local Sound the Alarm events, the American Red Cross of the Central Coast is also offering the installation of free smoke alarms and educational visits on an appointment basis throughout Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. If you would like free smoke alarms installed in your home, please use one of the following options to schedule an appointment:

 

Helping people is a team sport

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Photo of attendees at the boot camp

The American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter office in San Jose was the site of a well-attended training “boot camp” on January 20 that introduced local members of Rotary International and other attendees to the many volunteer opportunities available through the American Red Cross. (Photo: Sasha Boyko)

For more photos of the day-long event, please go to this Flickr album.

Two of the world’s leading service organizations — the American Red Cross and Rotary International — joined forces on Sunday, January 20, for an all-day “Red Cross Training Boot Camp.” The session, held at the Silicon Valley Chapter in San Jose, was designed to provide Rotarians and other attendees with “Shelter Fundamentals” training and to expose them to the many Red Cross volunteer opportunities. Read more

Red Cross, partner volunteers install more than 200 free smoke alarms in San Jose

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Volunteers are briefed at the beginning of the day’s installation activities.

More than 70 volunteers from the Silicon Valley Chapter and from two Red Cross partners (ARM and the Miss & Mrs. Vietnam USA) met on Saturday, January 19, at the La Buona Vita Mobile Home Park to Sound the Alarm by providing residents there with free smoke detectors. Read more

Finding her place at the table

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Briana Taylor was vacationing in Thailand for Christmas in 2004 when the tsunami struck with lethal force. Trapped on the island, she and her family watched the devastating aftereffects unfold.

Once Briana made it home, she repacked her bags and returned to Thailand only six weeks later to do disaster recovery work. She was in a wave of spontaneous volunteers who arrived to help islanders find some sense of order.

Then Katrina hit in 2005, and Briana joined the American Red Cross as an event-based volunteer. She’s been a part of the organization ever since. Read more

Five people honored at Contra Costa County meeting

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By Ritch DavidsonEditor’s note: At a recent Red Cross meeting in Contra Costa County, the organization recognized five individuals who have made a positive impact in their communities. Their service is described below. For more photos from the recognition event, please click here.

Deborah Simpson

Deborah Simpson was on the phone with a friend when they both heard a beeping sound. When her friend asked what that sound was, Deborah replied it was her smoke detector indicating that the battery needed to be replaced. The friend suggested Deborah call the Red Cross for assistance. Deborah wondered, “Does the Red Cross do that?” After calling, she learned they did. A Red Cross team went to her house and replaced not only the batteries but the smoke detector itself, giving her a new 10-year model. Deborah found the team to be friendly, warm, and high-spirited, even bringing her some coffee cake from a meeting they’d just attended.After her own detectors were installed, Deborah took flyers about the program to post them at her Church. She also encouraged the team to canvass her neighbors (which it did), saying she would be happy to let the team use her as a reference. Deborah was recognized for spreading the positive word about the Red Cross Sound the Alarm program.

Rayce and Wendi Loughlin

Eight-year-old Rayce Loughlin and his mother, Wendi, were watching television when a news story described the Red Cross opening a shelter at the Clayton Valley Library in response to the July 2018 Marsh Creek fire. Rayce immediately wanted to help, and Wendi agreed. They turned off the TV and went to the shelter, where they became “spontaneous volunteers,” setting up cots and whatever else was needed. They didn’t stop there. Rayce and Wendi returned to offer assistance three more times. For their selfless and generous contribution to their community and the Red Cross, they were acknowledged with Certificates of Appreciation and Red Cross backpacks.

Valerie and Robert Rodriguez

Disaster Health Services nurses Valerie and Robert Rodriguez were presented with a numbered Nurse Enrollment badge, a tradition begun in 1906. The American Red Cross nurse’s badge is a distinctive symbol of professional attainment and service to humanity.

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