Red Cross has responded to 14 disasters in first half of November
Denver, CO – The American Red Cross Mile High Chapter has responded to nearly a disaster a day during the first two weeks of November – and although the Red Cross typically sees an uptick in home fires during the cold winter months, this month’s responses have included a spate of disasters, such as:
A hazmat incident that required the set-up of an evacuation center for a Commerce City neighborhood
A multi-unit apartment fire that displaced 55 residents in Aurora
A gas explosion in a 4-unit townhome in Lakewood
A 34-car pile-up yesterday on I-25
Since Nov. 1, the Chapter has responded to 14 different disasters – including two late last night.
“These bursts of activity are not unusual in the disaster world, but they highlight why we place such an emphasis on our own preparedness – we work year-round to line up supplies and trained volunteers so that we can handle multiple disasters in a row,” said Disaster Response Director Elizabeth DiPaolo.
Last year, the Mile High Chapter responded to more than a fire a day during the first weeks of December; this month’s disaster blast has Red Cross workers wondering whether 2010 will prove even busier than 2009.
“The scary thing is that we haven’t yet reached the busiest part of our fire season,” DiPaolo said. “We’re still a few weeks away from the holiday-related fires that start around Thanksgiving and continue into early January.”
The Red Cross Mile High Chapter provides disaster response, preparedness and health and safety services in 19 Colorado counties. The Red Cross is seeking donations during its annual Holiday giving campaign in order to fund these ongoing operations. Visit http://www.ColoradoRedCross.org/donate for more information.
Posted by amrecro 
