In Case You Missed It - Jan 19

Red Cross Volunteer NataliaAlvarez-Plaud discusses fire safety with Alvaro Torres while Local 273 firefighters install smoke detectors in New Rochelle.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 143 adults and 89 children following 66 local disasters. Here are some highlights of responses and activities from the last week:

Post by Abby Adams.

• Saturday afternoon, more than two dozen people were forced out of their homes as a result of a 3-alarm fire in Washington Heights. The Red Cross assisted dozens of residents at the scene and provided one family with temporary lodging.
• Last Thursday night, Red Cross case manager Christopher Losavio was recognized by New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) with the Partner of the Year, Tenacity Award for his efforts in helping New Yorkers with long-term Sandy recovery.
• Earlier on Thursday, the Red Cross was stationed at the Brentwood Public Library in Nassau County, meeting with local residents to schedule free smoke alarm installation appointments in the Brentwood/Bay Shore area. More than 60 smoke alarms were installed throughout the day.
• Also on Thursday, Red Cross volunteers, along with New Rochelle Fire Department Local 273, went door-to-door in New Rochelle to install free smoke detectors in neighborhoods that have seen a high incidence of home fires over the past year.
• After a multiple-alarm fire tore through a 3-story apartment building in Yonkers Wednesday morning, more than 50 residents were forced from their homes in the bitter cold. Red Cross teams were at the scene and setup a relief center at a nearby Police Athletic League. Red Cross volunteers worked with local partners to ensure that the emergency needs of all affected were met. This included safe shelter, warm meals and emotional support. The Red Cross operated a shelter at the PAL for several days.
• On Tuesday, the Greater NY Red Cross published a map of all the 2014 disaster responses in New York City. Greater New York is the busiest Red Cross region in the country.
• Also on Tuesday, we posted a story of Raymond Pichardo and his family who turned to the Red Cross after a fire destroyed their apartment in the Bronx.
• January 12, 2015 marked the 5-year anniversary of the Haiti Earthquake. We took a look back at some of the personal stories that marked the Greater NY Red Cross response to this catastrophic event on our blog here.