Power outages, coupled with damaged cell towers, severely limited phone services and communications amid last summer’s wildfire disaster. Infrastructure was crippled and left communities across large swathes of Central, Northern and Eastern Washington in a state of confusion as residents were surrounded by fierce firestorms that moved quickly across the landscape. The Red Cross responded … Continue reading Boeing ECF Strengthens Red Cross Wildfire Response: Mobilizing Help and Hot Meals to Fire-Impacted Communities
Fixing the Unseen Damage: The Story of a Disaster Mental Health Volunteer
By C.J. Jones The unyielding, destructive force of the recent Washington wildfires has undoubtedly changed the landscape of the north-central Washington area. From a distance, it can be hard for some to fathom the extent of the damage. Brett Wenger, a Red Cross volunteer of 17 years, recently finished his deployment at the area and … Continue reading Fixing the Unseen Damage: The Story of a Disaster Mental Health Volunteer
So, What’s Your Plan? Going Home and Lessons Learned
The Red Cross responded to the Chelan Area Wildfire, August 2015. This is a 4-part personal account of volunteer service by Carlin Comm. Carlin Comm, based in Austin, Texas, was visiting his parents in central Washington when a fierce firestorm struck nearby in the small, resort town of Chelan. He joined his father, Garth Comm, a … Continue reading So, What’s Your Plan? Going Home and Lessons Learned
Looking Beyond the Backburns and Bizarre Scenes: After Response, Recovery
The Red Cross responded to the Chelan Area Wildfire, August 2015. This is a 4-part personal account of volunteer service by Carlin Comm. Carlin Comm, based in Austin, Texas, was visiting his parents in central Washington when a fierce firestorm struck nearby in the small, resort town of Chelan. He joined his father, Garth Comm, a … Continue reading Looking Beyond the Backburns and Bizarre Scenes: After Response, Recovery
Red Cross Continues to Assist Wildfire-Impacted Residents: Contact Hotline 509-670-5331
The American Red Cross continues to help those affected by the recent wildfires in Okanogan and Chelan Counties. For anyone with urgent needs caused by the wildfires, we ask that you please call our hotline at 509-670-5331 by Wednesday, September 30. Over the past five weeks since major wildfires began in Central, Northern and Eastern Washington, more than … Continue reading Red Cross Continues to Assist Wildfire-Impacted Residents: Contact Hotline 509-670-5331
Wind, Fire, Smoke and Help: Reaching Out Amid Demanding Conditions
The Red Cross responded to the Chelan Area Wildfire, August 2015. This is a 4-part personal account of volunteer service by Carlin Comm. Carlin Comm, based in Austin, Texas, was visiting his parents in central Washington when a fierce firestorm struck nearby in the small, resort town of Chelan. He joined his father, Garth Comm, a … Continue reading Wind, Fire, Smoke and Help: Reaching Out Amid Demanding Conditions
Ready, Set, Go!
By Terry Pollard, Regional Executive Director As head of the Red Cross, Northwest Region, I’m swamped with meetings, deadlines and endless emails every day. But it’s also my job to think about disasters and emergencies every day so I know how quickly something can get in the way of business as usual. I frequently wonder … Continue reading Ready, Set, Go!
From Texas to Washington: A Volunteer’s First Day of Wildfire Response (part 1 of 4)
The Red Cross responded to the Chelan Area Wildfire, August 2015. This is a 4-part personal account of volunteer service by Carlin Comm.
The American Red Cross: Here Today, Here Tomorrow
by Robert W. Wallace/American Red Cross A fierce thunderstorm with over 650 lightning strikes swept across Eastern Washington State and neighboring Idaho on August 14. Dozens of wildfires were started by the lightning that quickly became infernos due to aggressive winds. Entire communities—Conconully, Twisp, Winthrop and Tonasket—were evacuated, and hundreds of homeowners in the path … Continue reading The American Red Cross: Here Today, Here Tomorrow
Spokane Area Community Partners Join Forces to Support Red Cross Wildfire Response
Wenatchee, WA, 10:30a.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015 Thanks to the generosity of the Greater Spokane community, KXLY4 television, and the Spokane Federal Credit Union, a total of over $10,000 was raised for the Red Cross Washington Wildfires relief fund on Thursday, September 3, 2015, during an all-day telethon on KXLY4. Alyssa Ando, a Greater Inland … Continue reading Spokane Area Community Partners Join Forces to Support Red Cross Wildfire Response
American Red Cross NW Region 