DISASTER SERVICES

Each day people lose their homes due to fires, floods, earthquakes and other disasters. The American Red Cross is there to help these people in their time of need. Since its founding in 1881 by Clara Barton, the Red Cross continues to be the premier disaster relief agency in the country. The Red Cross provides victims of disasters with food, clothing and shelter and other immediate needs, such as disaster mental health services. By providing assistance, the Red Cross is able to relieve the worries of victims, allowing them to focus on putting lives back together. All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the American people.

American Red Cross Disaster Services relies upon volunteers to provide these services on both local and national levels. Volunteers are trained through class work and hands-on-experience. They are members of their local disaster teams and have made the commitment to respond day or night to a disaster. Some volunteers make further commitments when they respond to a national disaster and are willing to leave their families and jobs and go where they are needed for a period of a few weeks or longer.

To help local families prevent, prepare for and respond to fires, the Camden County Chapter has obtained a Fires Safety Trailer which Red Cross volunteers use to teach children how to reduce the risks of fires and other common disasters in their homes. Education is a powerful tool in preventing fires and saving lives. Our Camden County Disaster Action Teams needs you! Join us by calling Rick Paul at (856) 365-7100 Ext. 222 or email at paulrick@usa.redcross.org.