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American Red Cross urges stronger local coordination, seeks volunteers for Pecos-area responses
Summary
The American Red Cross presented resources and asked Pecos City for better call notification, more local volunteers and assistance connecting with emergency service departments to reduce response times to home fires and other disasters.
The American Red Cross of the Permian Basin presented its disaster-response programs to Pecos City Council and requested better local coordination and more volunteers to shorten response times.
Aaron Gomez, community disaster program manager, said the Red Cross serves 19 Permian Basin counties including Reeves County and that the organization relies on volunteers for about 90% of its frontline response. Gomez described Red Cross services — immediate assistance after home fires, disaster mental health, casework and programs such as free smoke-alarm installation for high-risk homes and hands-only CPR training.
Gomez told the council the Red Cross responded to Pecos six times from June 1, 2024, to July 31 (calls mostly initiated by the affected residents) and said the regional reliance on Odessa volunteers makes response times longer. He asked the city and emergency services to call the Red Cross directly when incidents occur so the agency can verify and mobilize more quickly and asked the city to publicize Red Cross contact information and volunteer opportunities.
Council and staff agreed to post contact information and noted the importance of the fire department and emergency services department (ESD) notifying the Red Cross to verify incidents. Gomez said the Red Cross would like to train local volunteers and provide hands-only CPR and home-fire preparedness programs in Pecos.
