The American Red Cross Gold Country Region volunteers, partners and ‘small’ staff are getting really good at this: the Home Fire Campaign.
This past Saturday, January 16, teams of volunteers went out to canvass neighborhoods in Woodland and Roseville to install smoke alarms and educate residents on their fire escape plan.
In Sacramento, our volunteers went out to homes that had made prior appointments for these installations. We had so much success during the event in December that people called our offices non-stop requesting smoke alarms!! Which is awesome by the way.
Well, without further ado, we want to share our success with you:
58 installs in Woodland (Team Michelle and Daryl)
39 in Sacramento (Team Patricia—-Scheduled appointments mostly—only 2 teams involved)
96 in Roseville (Team Tami—Great coordination with Roseville fire)
Total for Smoke Alarms—193—Other numbers to follow……
15th Annual Heroes Awards Luncheon Inspiring Stories of Kindness and Courage
Friday January, 22, 2016 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Woodland Community Center
The Annual Red Cross Hero Recognition events are always a great way to kick off a brand new year. Recognizing the goodness of people in our community motivates us and we want to continue to inspire our communities.
Join us this coming Friday, January 22 as we will gather to honor community members from El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo Counties who have performed extraordinary acts of courage.
As you might remember, this annual event pays special tribute to local everyday heroes who have gone above and beyond, performing heroic acts and rising to the occasion to help those in need. This year’s honorees were nominated by members of the community for such selfless deeds as saving lives, performing First Aid/CPR, providing support to military veterans, and much more. Here are the names of the people we will be recognizing this year and what they did to deserve such praise.
Adult Good Samaritan
Dennis Dwyre, Eric Paulson (Davis) – Dennis and Eric prevented a tragedy during a basketball game they were getting ready to play. They performed CPR to save the life of a fellow teammate.
Ivan Romero, Jr (Roseville) – Mr. Romero witnessed an accident which caused a vehicle to explode into flames, but Mr. Romero’s quick actions helped save the life of a woman from the burning vehicle.
First Responder
Hector Alvarez (Folsom) – Reserve Police Officer pulled a driver from an engulfed vehicle when on-duty.
Paul Grenier, Kevin Shepherd, Tom Borghese (Rocklin Police Dept)- Chelsea Johnson, Natalie Donaldson (AMR) – Steven Reynolds (Neighbor) (Rocklin) – Working as a team they helped a Rocklin citizen return to life after he had suffered cardiac arrest.
Workplace/Military
Scott Gallegos (Elk Grove) – Scott put his own life on the line during a gun fight, rescuing a woman from flying bullets and taking care of her immediate needs.
Child Good Samaritan
Cooper Cochran (Yolo) – A young cancer survivor who donated super hero capes to other children battling cancer with the message “Be Brave.”
Animal Rescue
Amy Parkko (Garden Valley) – Rescued a missing dog, helped him receive medical treatment after a traffic injury and helped reunite the miniature Australian Shepard with his family in Oregon.
Jeff Wolford and Stanislaus Wiecek (Yolo) – Rescued four horses and two burros from the flames of the Valley wildfire.
Spirit of the Red Cross
UC Davis Firefighters Burn Institute (Sacramento) – The entire team is recognized for their care and treatment of the brave men and women who fought the Butte and Valley fires.
Theresa Ramos (Sacramento) – After being held hostage at gun-point, Theresa and two of her friends escaped by using a Taser gun on their captor.
American Red Cross Volunteer Hero
Jeremiah Norrell (Placerville) –Jeremiah became a volunteer in late 2014. Since then, he has completed over 50 online and classroom training courses which have equipped him to serve the Disaster Action Team. With the new knowledge he served as Shelter Manager during the Butte Fire in September. Every day, he looks forward to growing even more in his service to others.
Large Business Hero
Nugget Markets – Whenever our Region is struck by a large disaster, Nugget Market is among the first to step forward and help by donating cash, food for shelters or supplies. Nugget has also donated pallets of water, gift baskets for events and food for military send-off events.
Small Business Hero
DH Construction – a longtime supporter of the Red Cross in our Region, DH Construction makes donations on behalf of their employees, provide comfort kits to families who lose their homes in a fire, and support our special events.
Event Master of Ceremonies is CBS13 Anchor Sam Shane.
Proceeds from the luncheon will support the critical disaster relief services provided by the American Red Cross Gold Country Region as well as critical Red Cross training programs which help prepare our community members to respond in times of emergency.
As always we’re extra thankful for our event sponsors: AMR, The Daily Democrat, The Kohlmeier Family, Nugget Markets, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Walmart and Wells Fargo.
With the holidays just around the corner, I want to take a moment to celebrate you. Because of you, we helped more than 93,000 families this year in the wake of home fires and ther emergencies.
Because of you, we served more than 893,000 meals and snacks in the U.S.
Because of you, we installed more than 125,700 smoke alarms through our home fire campaign.
Because of you, the Red Cross is always ready to respond to disasters big and small with care and comfort for those who need it most. See how people like YOU helped make a difference in this video of Red Cross disaster response efforts in 2015.
At home and around the world, the Red Cross reached out to help those in need.
Friday, December 18, 2015 (Sacramento, CA) — In an unusually busy year, the American Red Cross helped hundreds of thousands of people impacted by disasters in 2015, both here at home and around the globe. Red Cross disaster workers responded to 176 large U.S. disasters – more than each of the past three years.
The cost of just the four largest of these disasters is more than $30 million – this includes flooding in Texas and South Carolina, wildfires in California and Typhoon Soudelor, which battered the island of Saipan in August; (Saipan is part of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific).
Here in the Gold Country Region, the Red Cross launched relief operations after more than eleven major wildfires stuck our region including the Hayfork Complex fires, the Wragg fire, Rocky fire, Lowell fire and of course the Butte and Valley fires which are considered the top ten most destructive wildfires in state’s history. Volunteers from across the country deployed to the area and helped to provide emergency essentials such as food, shelter, health services and emotional support for hundreds of people who lost everything.
“These disaster affected many people’s lives here in the Gold Country Region,” said Robin Friedman, Regional Disaster Manager. “Red Cross workers from both here at home and across the country worked tirelessly to make sure people had a safe place to stay, food to eat, and help planning their next steps.”
Across the country, the Red Cross provided more than 34,000 overnight shelter stays to people forced from their homes because of disasters, served more than 1.1 million meals and snacks and distributed more than 800,000 relief items this year (as of December 8). Red Cross caseworkers provided recovery support to more than 19,000 households, and health and mental health workers provided more than 65,000 consultations after disasters.
As part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross also worked alongside other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to support families in Nepal after the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake there in April. Across the world, the Red Cross continues to address the needs of displaced families from Burundi, people facing food insecurity in Senegal, and is assisting with the ongoing migration crisis in Europe.
Flooding, Wildfires Devastated Communities Across U.S.
In May and June, the Red Cross responded across multiple states to help people impacted by flooding and wildfires. Residents of Texas, Alaska, California, Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma and Illinois turned to the Red Cross for help. In July and August, the Red Cross responded as raging wildfires burned out of control in Washington and California. In September, Red Cross workers helped after several massive fires in California destroyed hundreds of homes, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. As the Red Cross continued to assist people in California, catastrophic flooding hit South Carolina in early October and again, hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers responded. Then in early November, Texas was hit by a second round of relentless storms and floods just months after flash flooding wreaked havoc on much of the state in May. The Red Cross opened numerous shelters, provided food, health and mental health services and helped people plan their next steps.
Home Fires Continued to be Largest U.S. Disaster Threat
Amidst all of these devastating events, home fires continued to be the largest disaster threat in the United States. During 2015, the Red Cross provided casework assistance to help 214,000 people whose lives were affected by a home fire. The Red Cross also helped prevent home fires and related injuries and deaths by working with thousands of local partners across the country to install 195,000 smoke alarms and teach 268,000 youth about fire safety.
Here in the Gold Country Region, the Red Cross responded to 439 home fires, and installed 1,684 smoke alarms with the help of community partners.
Nepal Earthquake and Migration Crisis
In late April, a devastating earthquake hit Nepal, causing significant destruction and loss of life. Working with Red Cross and Red Crescent societies from 33 countries, the American Red Cross helped provide 4.6 million liters of clean water and 70,000 cash grants to support 350,000 people. Cash grants empower families to buy the items they deem most urgent in their time of greatest need.
Currently, families are searching for safety across the Middle East and Europe and the global Red Cross network is providing vital humanitarian assistance to those in need. More than 49,000 Red Cross volunteers are helping tens of thousands of migrants and refugees in 28 countries throughout Europe, providing help such as food, water, healthcare, hygiene kits, baby supplies, clothing and first aid kits.. The American Red Cross deployed eight disaster specialists to support the effort, along with 10,000 cots to help families in Germany.
HOW YOU CAN HELP The Red Cross depends on the generous support of the American public to assist people affected by disasters. If you would like to help, please consider making a donation today by visiting http://www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
Many Red Cross staff and volunteers have contributed so much to the #ButteFire response this summer; however, one staffer is being honored by local government in a very public way.
Debbie Calcote as well as several #RedCross volunteers and FEMA Vals were acknowledge last week during a FEMA briefing, which was also published on the Calaveras Enterprise.
“I can not say enough about how much heart, passion, and dedication Debbie has to the Red Cross mission,” said Tracy McBrook, American Red Cross Disaster State Relations Director.
We are so very proud of you Debbie and the work you and your volunteer teams have done to serve those affected by the Butte Fire.
Presence is a mission and this is certainly evidence of that!
The holiday season is a time for fun, but unfortunately, it is also a time when we see increases in home fires. Across the country, more than 45,000 fires occur during the winter holidays, claiming hundreds of lives.
Heat sources such as space heaters, fireplaces or wood and coal stoves can pose dangers. The American Red Cross encourages families to take steps to prevent fires while temperatures are cold.
The American Red Cross Gold Country Region has responded to 22 house and apartment fires since Sunday, November 22. Volunteers provided 112 clients with the immediate needs like shelter, food, clothing and referrals..
To reduce the risk of heating related fires, the Red Cross officials recommend the following:
All heaters need space. Keep children, pets and things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.
Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.
Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned if necessary.
If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
The American Red Cross is always looking for volunteers that can help when disasters strike, learn how you too can be part of our team and register to volunteer today!
Two separate home fires have claimed the lives of two children, a woman, four dogs and a cat in just two days in the Sacramento area. A reality that is more common during this time of year as temperatures drop.
The American Red Cross has partnered with the Sacramento Metro Fire and Sacramento City Fire Departments to offer free smoke alarm installations to residents in the 17 Sacramento neighborhoods this weekend.
On Saturday, volunteers from the Red Cross and partner organizations will be going door to door, offering free smoke alarm installations in one- and two-family homes that need them. They plan to stop at more than 1000 households.
“While our hope is that no family ever has to experience a fire, we know the reality is that fires happen and we want our residents to be prepared,” said Gary Strong, CEO of the American Red Cross Gold Country Region. “This program will ensure that Sacramento residents have working smoke detectors and are educated on how they can best be prepared in the event of a fire in their home.”
The Red Cross launched the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign last year, a nationwide initiative to reduce fire deaths by about 25 percent over five years. Since then 26 lives have been saved in six states and more than 125,000 smoke alarms have been installed in nearly 2,400 cities and towns.
Volunteers will be in uniform on Saturday distributing fire safety information and speaking with families about how they can be prepared if a fire breaks outs.
The American Red Cross Gold Country region is always recruiting volunteers for future canvassing events; the next one is scheduled for January 16, 2016.
The United States Fire Administration recommends that every residence should be equipped with dual sensor alarms, or a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms.
An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, whereas a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally better at detecting smoldering fires.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke alarms should be located at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances in order to avoid nuisance alarms. In general, photoelectric alarms are better suited for these areas.
Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
Non-Lithium powered smoke alarms should be tested monthly and have their batteries replaced yearly, or as soon as a low-battery warning is signaled.
Smoke alarms should be kept clean by vacuuming over and around them regularly.
Never remove the battery or disable a smoke alarm. If an alarm sounds while cooking or taking a shower, press the “hush” button and open a nearby door or window. You can also wave a towel in front of the unit to help clear the air.
If your smoke alarm is sounding “nuisance alarms,” try locating it further away from kitchens and bathrooms.
All smoke alarms should be replaced after ten years of use.
The holiday season has officially started, with major feasting and shopping days packed into the last week of November. Now, on the first day of December, the American Red Cross launches a time to Give Something that Means Something, joining non-profits across the country for Giving Tuesday.
Wondering how can you participate? We have plenty of options – a whole catalog’s worth! You can choose gifts to donate in honor of the special people in your life. Free holiday greeting cards are also available to announce your gifts or send a Red Cross eCard. Finally, know your gift will help people when they need it most.
Blanketsthat give comfort and security to victims of disasters.
In a disaster, children and families are often exposed to the elements. You can provide warm, cozy blankets to protect them from the cold and help them sleep comfortably in emergency shelters.
Fire safetytraining and smoke alarms to help reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in at-risk communities.
Home fires are the greatest disaster threat to American families and communities. Approximately seven people die every day from home fires, and nearly every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to a home fire or other disaster. Your gift helps the Red Cross reduce home fire related deaths and injuries in at-risk communities by working with volunteers, local fire departments and community partners to install smoke alarms and provide fire safety education and training.
Many service members return from deployment and need help readjusting to their home, work and community. Reconnection workshops help these service members, veterans and their families through small-group discussions led by licensed mental health professionals- addressing issues like stress, depression, communication and supporting children. Help families reconnect today.
Blood servicesto help ensure blood is safe and available for those in need.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Your gift today will enable us to recruit volunteer blood donors, collect and test their blood, and deliver lifesaving blood products to patients in need. Red Cross blood provides hope for patients and often means the difference between life and death.
Stay tuned to Red Cross social channels, including Twitter and Facebook, to see Red Cross work in action. Follow and use #GiveWithMeaning on social channels during this campaign and throughout holiday season.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Tuesday, November 3, 2015 – The American Red Cross Gold Country Region is seeking out the local heroes of Sacramento and Yolo counties to be honored at the annual Heroes Recognition luncheon – to be held on Friday, January 22 in Woodland.
The Red Cross is asking community members to nominate individuals who they consider heroes. Do you know someone that who has demonstrated an act(s) of heroism in the last year? Now is your chance to place them in the spotlight. Submit the story of your hero and why they should be recognized.
Candidates for nomination can be anyone that lives or works in Sacramento, Yolo and Placer counties who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to exhibit a true act of selflessness. There are seven different categories for nomination including adult and young good Samaritans, animal rescue, first responder, workplace, military and all-around Red Cross hero.
The Heroes event is an opportunity to not only honor those who are not ordinarily recognized for their courage, but also offer an opportunity to recognize the bravery that surrounds us and our communities everyday.
The deadline to submit nominations for this year’s event is Thursday, December 3, 2015. Nominations can be filled out and submitted online at http://bit.ly/Heroes2016.
A church at Columbia Avenue and South Orange Street in Turlock was destroyed by fire early Friday morning. The American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers were requested to provide canteening services to the team of firefighters.
The fire at Equip Church was called in at 4:38 a.m. and portions of the 7,000-square-foot basement still were burning at 10:30 a.m., the Turlock Fire Department reported.
Our team of volunteers provided coffee, pastries and water for breakfast then pizza and other refreshments for lunch.
In all, 45 firefighters battled the blaze from Turlock city, Turlock Rural, Modesto, Ceres, Denair, Hughson, Keyes, Patterson and Stanislaus Consolidated fire districts.
Event Master of Ceremonies is CBS13 Anchor 
Across the country, the Red Cross provided more than 34,000 overnight shelter stays to people forced from their homes because of disasters, served more than 1.1 million meals and snacks and distributed more than 800,000 relief items this year (as of December 8). Red Cross caseworkers provided recovery support to more than 19,000 households, and health and mental health workers provided more than 65,000 consultations after disasters.
Nepal Earthquake and Migration Crisis
Many Red Cross staff and volunteers have contributed so much to the #ButteFire response this summer; however, one staffer is being honored by local government in a very public way.
The holiday season is a time for fun, but unfortunately, it is also a time when we see increases in home fires. Across the country, more than 45,000 fires occur during the winter holidays, claiming hundreds of lives.
Here are some Smoke Alarm Recommendations from the 
The holiday season has officially started, with major feasting and shopping days packed into the last week of November. Now, on the first day of December, the American Red Cross launches a time to Give Something that Means Something, joining non-profits across the country for Giving Tuesday.
Gold Country News and Notes 