Family of three helped by Polk Red Cross volunteers after a fire

 

LAKELAND, FL (March 31, 2009) –Red Cross volunteers responded to the scene of a fire after it displaced a Lakeland family on March 31.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter arrived at the scene on Timberidge Drive at 10 a.m., Tuesday. They provided the three adults with emergency assistance for groceries, emergency assistance to provide clothing for two, three comfort kits (personal hygiene supplies), two stuffed animal toys to comfort them, and a bottle of odor-control concentrate to help them salvage items from their home.

 

Home fires continue to be the most common disaster response for any local Red Cross Chapter. While any disaster can be devastating to a family, needs increase in tough economic times. Please take every precaution and follow fire safety tips to prevent fires in your home:

 

• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each 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 once a year.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
• 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.
• Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of the reach of children. Only use lighters with child-resistant features.
• Practice home fire escape plans with your children several times a year, with “stop, drop, and roll” and low crawling.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, boiling, or roasting food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of three feet around the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop, oven or any kitchen appliance that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.

 

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to the victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross, Mid-Florida region serves 13 counties and includes the Central Florida, Florida’s Coast-to-Coast, Polk and Highlands County and Space Coast chapters. Since July 1, 2008, the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter has helped 112 families affected by local disasters in Polk County. Almost all were home fires. Combined, the region’s employees and volunteers provide disaster assistance to an average of one family each day. Every day, the chapters serve as a vital communication link between members of the armed forces and their families in our community. Lifesaving classes such as First Aid/CPR, Automated External Defibrillator Training, Water Safety and HIV/AIDS are available throughout the service area on a regular basis. For more information, visit www.midfloridaredcross.org. Local inquiries may be made at 147 Avenue A, NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881; by calling (863) 294-594; or visiting online at http://polkcountyfl.redcross.org.

Polk Red Cross, SPCA team up to teach Pet First Aid and CPR

First-ever class at new SPCA Humane Education & Resource Building fills 28 seats in a week

See coverage on
Fox 13 Tampa Bay: CPR class is for the dogs, literally.

OrlandoSentinel: Learn first aid for pets at Red Cross event

 

LAKELAND, FL March 31, 2009 – Pets are part of more than 69 million households, making them more than just pets – they’re family.

 

Just like any other member of the family, they need care and occasional medical attention. Your American Red Cross and your SPCA in Lakeland want to make sure that human family members provide these furry loved ones with immediate medical attention for injury or illness, include them in disaster plans; and overall, keep them safe before, during, and after emergencies.

 

This Saturday, April 4, 2009, SPCA in Lakeland will partner with the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter to offer Pet First Aid – a hands-on training in simple emergency care procedures for cats and dogs – at the SPCA Human Education and Resource Building at their adoption center, 5850 Brannen Road in south Lakeland.

 

“This will be the first time that the SPCA will be able to use our Education and Training Room which was made possible by Publix Super Markets Charities,” said Public Relations Director Rachel Bulman. “We are hoping that this Red Cross Pet First Aid and CPR class is the first of many providing the public with tools to be responsible pet owners, just one part of our mission at the SPCA.”

 

Bulman also thanks Crispers at Lakeside Village for donating lunch for this class.

 

This course is another lifesaving resource that supports the Red Cross mission of keeping residents of Polk County and their families healthy and safe, and pets are often vital members of families. Step-by-step directions help with basic pet owner responsibilities, from giving medication, to administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, to preparing for disasters.

 

The $40 course fee is a small price to pay to learn critical life-saving guidance and techniques for use in emergency situations until veterinary care is available. Pets are an important part of many peoples’ lives, so your local American Red Cross wants to help ensure their well-being by teaching practical skills and techniques. Invest in your pet’s welfare.

 

For more information about Pet First Aid and CPR, please contact your local American Red Cross at (863) 294-5941 or the SPCA in Lakeland at (863) 646-7722.

 

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to the victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross Polk County Chapter serves Highlands and Polk counties. The chapters’ employees and volunteers provide disaster assistance to an average of two families every three days. Each day, the chapter serves as a vital communication link between members of the armed forces and their families in our community. Lifesaving classes such as First Aid/CPR, Automated External Defibrillator Training, Water Safety and HIV/AIDS are available throughout the service area on a regular basis. To learn more about becoming a volunteer or to make a contribution, please contact the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter at http://polkcountyfl.redcross.org.

Brevard county volunteer to help victims in North Dakota

ROCKLEDGE (March 29, 2009) — American Red Cross volunteer Ryan Blumenthal, of the Space Coast Chapter, is among the hundreds of disaster relief workers from around the country on the way to assist flood victims in North Dakota.

 

Blumenthal, a long-time volunteer, left Saturday, March 28 and will provide food, comfort items and anything else that might be needed as a shelter worker and manager in Fargo. Blumenthal will remain in North Dakota for up to 3 weeks.

 

“Our supplies and workers already have been on the ground in North Dakota and Minnesota for a week, but we are getting ready for the long haul,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president of disaster services for the Red Cross. “Our National President, Gail McGovern, has pledged that we will be here for as long as it takes.”

More than 400 Red Cross disaster workers are already in the area as are 30 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) serving as mobile feeding units. More than 50,000 ready-to-eat meals are already on site, and mobile kitchens are deploying with a capacity of serving 15,000 meals a day.

Red Cross volunteers help Lake Wales couple after wildfire

LAKE WALES, FL (March 29, 2009) – Red Cross volunteers have helped a Lake Wales couple displaced when wildfire took their home.

On Saturday, March 28, a 160-200 acre wildfire in the Tiger Lake Road area of Lake Wales destroyed the couple’s home on Rosalee Lake Road. American Red Cross Volunteers with the Polk County Chapter were able to make contact with the couple that night and met again with them at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, to provide them assistance.

The couple is staying with family outside of Polk County. Volunteers were able to provide them with emergency assistance for groceries and clothing, comfort kits (personal hygiene supplies), Red Cross T-shirts, and a stuffed animal toy cow to comfort them.

Also on Saturday, Red Cross volunteers ran a shelter available for wildfire evacuees and provided food and hydration for firefighters battling the Tiger Lake blaze, as well as for firefighters who battled an approximate 100-acre blaze earlier that same day in Alturas, near Fort Meade.

Fire disasters that destroy homes continue to be the most common disaster response for any local Red Cross Chapter. While any disaster can be devastating to a family. To prepare for disaster, visit http://polkcountyflredcross.org or www.redcross.org, or contact your local chapter.

Local News:
Fox 13 Tampa Bay – Polk residents return – Brush fire destroyed homes, threatened area
The Ledger – Fires damage structures in southeast Polk
News Chief – Wildfire razes homes but is contained
Orlando Sentinel – Polk County fires force evacuations, burn mobile home
ABC Action News – 2 brush fires threaten Polk County homes; force evacuations

H&R Block washes up for Polk Red Cross

 

Jeffrey Bell Jr. (left) rinses the hood while Xzavier Heath, 10, gets the bumper with a hand brush at a car wash and bake sale to benefit the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter on Saturday, March 28, at Hardee’s in Auburndale.

AUBURNDALE, FL (March 28, 2009) – A warm and breezy Saturday is a good day to wash your car.

And that’s just what employees and friends of H&R Block corporate stores in the Auburndale and Winter Haven area did on Saturday, March 28, to raise much-needed fund for the local American Red Cross Polk County Chapter.

“We just wanted to find a way to give back,” said office manager Sandy Goodine, who also serves as a Red Cross volunteer when tax season doesn’t keep her busy. She and her employees put the word out through their Winter Haven, Lake Alfred, and Auburndale offices to raise support the Red Cross.

The car wash itself took place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Hardee’s on U.S. 92 in Auburndale, drawing dusty cars and people looking to satisfy a sweet-tooth. Sandy and her husband Milton waved at motorists from the corners of the intersection of U.S. 92 and Bennett Street to get them to come in. Cool breezes and warm sun helped dry cars cleanly after a thorough wash.

The American Red Cross provides immediate emergency assistance based on need, thanks to donations from individuals and businesses in the local community, which makes it possible for your local Red Cross Chapter to provide assistance in times of disaster and maintain public education and Health & Safety training programs. More information is available at http://polkcountyfl.redcross.org or on the national site at www.redcross.org.

The Red Cross, an organization run by local volunteers, depends on community support every day to provide assistance to people in your community. Please make a financial donation to your local Red Cross.

Red Cross volunteers help Lakeland man after fire

<!–[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]–><!–[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]–>LAKELAND, FL (March 27, 2009) – Red Cross volunteers helped a Lakeland man Friday, March 27, after fire displaced him from his home.

After the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter received a call, Red Cross volunteers contacted the man and then drove to the scene on Jungle Street. They provided him with temporary shelter, emergency assistance for groceries, a comfort kit (personal hygiene supplies), a Red-Cross T-shirt, and a bottle of odor-control concentrate to help him salvage items from his home.

Home fires continue to be the most common disaster response for any local Red Cross chapter. While any disaster can be devastating to a family, needs often increase during tough economic times. Please take every precaution and follow fire safety tips to prevent fires in your home. Thank you for supporting your American Red Cross.

Red Cross responds, helps family of four in Winter Haven

<!–[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]–><!–[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]–>Family escapes early morning fire safely, dog lost in fire

 

WINTER HAVEN, FL (March 26, 2009) – Though they lost their dog to the fire, a Winter Haven family of four escaped a house fire in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 26.

Local Red Cross volunteers responded that morning and were able to provide them with assistance later that day.

The call came in at 3 a.m. and volunteers responded to the scene on Woodfern Drive in Winter Haven. They provided two adults and two children, ages 4 and 1, with temporary shelter, emergency assistance for food and clothing, comfort kits (personal hygiene supplies), and teddy bears to comfort the children.

Home fires continue to be the most common disaster response for any local Red Cross Chapter. While any disaster can be devastating to a family, needs increase in tough economic times. Please take every precaution and follow fire safety tips to prevent fires in your home:

• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each 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 once a year.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
• 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.
• Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of the reach of children. Only use lighters with child-resistant features.
• Practice home fire escape plans with your children several times a year, with “stop, drop, and roll” and low crawling.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, boiling, or roasting food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of three feet around the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop, oven or any kitchen appliance that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.

Polk Red Cross feeds fire crews at Haines City wildfire

Lt. Mike Kennedy with Haines City Fire and Rescue gets a hot meal and cold drink from American Red Cross volunteers after fighting a brush fire all afternoon and night Wednesday, March 25. The Red Cross fed and hydrated approximately 30 firefighters and emergency personnel who worked to contain a brush fire beside a housing development in Haines City, one mile east of U.S. 27 on Old Polk City Road.

 

HAINES CITY (March 25, 2009) –Fighting a wildfire all afternoon and evening can wear firefighters out.

That’s why the American Red Cross provides food and hydration to fire crews fighting brush fires in Polk county, especially those that threaten homes like the fire that burned Wednesday night, March 25, in Haines City, one mile east of U.S. 27 on Old Polk City Road.

In less than an hour after getting the call, local Red Cross volunteers arrived to support firefighters and other emergency personnel with dinner, snacks, and cold water and Gatorade. The American Red Cross Polk County Chapter fed approximately 30 members of Haines City Fire and Rescue, Division of Forestry, Haines City Police Department, and Polk County Emergency Management.

Your local Red Cross works to support emergency personnel at the scenes of large fires, whether in wooded or developed areas. Support helps keep crews fed, hydrated, and focused on the fire when there is a danger of people being displaced.

Your American Red Cross continues to respond to help displaced residents of single-family house fires and large wildfires during this season. To stay prepared, read up on house fire and wildfire safety tips at http://polkcpountyfl.redcross.org.