Red Cross Volunteers Respond to Back-to-Back Fires
  

Three adults and one child were displaced when their home on NE Everett burned, and five adults and several pets were affected by fire at a triplex in Gresham a short time later. In both incidents, Red Cross volunteers were on the scene to provide immediate assistance to the residents.

A total of six Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers assisted at the fires. The family on NE Everett were insured and received lodging and food until arrangements could be made through their insurance company. The families displaced by the apartment fire in Gresham were provided food, lodging through the weekend, and financial assistance as needed.

The fire in Gresham was the 14th fire to which the Oregon Trail Chapter has responded to since October 1st. The Red Cross urges fire safety as the weather turns colder. There are steps that families can take to minimize the risk of fire in their home, mitigate the tragedy and prevent loss of life.

• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too. Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
• Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
• Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Local Red Cross volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters every 40 hours on average. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing, counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org