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American Red Cross outlines local response, free smoke-alarm installations in Passaic County
Summary
Representatives of the American Red Cross described local disaster response activity, reported past response counts in Passaic County and announced free smoke-alarm installation events and volunteer needs.
Sarah Husking and John Felice of the American Red Cross told the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners on May 13 that the organization responds primarily to local incidents such as single-family fires and is planning free smoke-alarm installation events in Passaic and Paterson.
The presenters said the Red Cross has responded to 217 disasters in the county over the past two and a half years and assisted nearly 2,500 residents. "A big part of my job is to help educate on the services that the Red Cross responds to," Husking said, adding that "90% of what we respond to are single family fires." John Felice, identified in the presentation as a community volunteer leader, described the Red Cross role as providing comfort and assistance—financial and emotional—after fires and floods.
The Red Cross representatives announced a smoke-alarm installation event in the city of Passaic on June 7 and another in Paterson on May 31. Husking said volunteers and staff will install alarms and that residents can request free installations online. The presenters also described specialized devices for residents who are hearing impaired—alarm-triggered bed shakers and bilingual (English/Spanish) voice alarms—and said volunteers provide preparedness talks to senior groups.
A commissioner asked whether the Red Cross receives federal funding. Husking said the organization receives a small grant from the Department of Defense for services to the armed forces and smaller grants for biomedical/blood services, but that its disaster-relief humanitarian work in local incidents does not receive government funding.
The presenters asked for volunteer support and offered informational materials to the commissioners. The presentation concluded with commissioners thanking the presenters and acknowledging the Red Cross partnership.
The commissioners' remarks and the presentation occurred during the meeting's presentation portion; no formal board action was taken on the Red Cross items.
