Red Cross and local emergency partners report on fire responses and shifting service roles

The American Red Cross representative covering for the local contact reported that Dunn County received Red Cross assistance for 14 fire events in 2025, assisting 28 households and 86 residents across Menomonie, Mondovi, Boyceville, Colfax, Ridgeland and Elk Mound.

The Red Cross worker said standard eligibility includes displacement of at least two days, that vehicle strikes on residences can qualify for assistance when displacement results, and that fatality-related assistance can include a $1,000 payment per fatality for families. The representative also noted that some regional service roles tied to armed forces communications and VA facility support will be reallocated starting July 1, with two Serviced Forces staff positions in Wisconsin being redistributed to other regions to meet increased global demand.

Tara Verdon of Mayo Clinic Health System thanked county crews for maintaining road access during recent storms to facilitate critical patient transports. Melissa, the local disaster coordinator, said the county's preparations for the snow event were effective and that emergency-management coordination with highway and public-health staff was successful.

Red Cross representatives encouraged partners to notify the Red Cross when residents are displaced and noted that next-of-kin assistance and repatriation support have been provided in past cross-border cases.