IMMOKALEE — On Oct. 5, local American Red Cross volunteer members of the Disaster Action Team, from the Florida Gulf Cost to Heartland Chapter, responded to a home fire on North 11th Street in Immokalee. The disaster-trained team helped coordinate emergency aid to one (1) person impacted by the blaze.

The Red Cross is providing emergency financial assistance, health and mental health services, one-on-one support to connect people to available recovery assistance and will continue to provide additional support to the individual to meet their disaster-caused needs.

The Disaster Action Team is a group of local, specially trained, Red Cross volunteer responders, who are ready to take action at these emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Disaster Action Team volunteers also provide emotional support and information to help families begin the process of recovery. Red Cross disaster assistance is free of charge, a gift made possible by donations to the Red Cross.

Red Cross volunteers have been trained to follow proper safety procedures and protocols to continue serving communities impacted by local disasters, during the coronavirus outbreak.

Families in our community, across the country and around the world turn to the Red Cross every day for help because #EmergenciesDontStop. Hospital patients still need lifesaving blood; neighbors still need food, shelter and care after disasters; and military families still need support. Your help is needed to fulfill the urgent needs of our mission today at redcross.org/SouthFlorida.

What people can do:
• Make a financial donation to their local Red Cross to help people affected by home fires and other disasters in the United States and around the world. Visit redcross.org/donate.
• Visit redcross.org/homefires to find out how to protect themselves and their homes from fire.

• Become a Red Cross volunteer by applying at redcross.org/sflvolunteer.
• Download the Red Cross Emergency App by visiting redcross.org/apps or texting alerts to help keep the user safe. And the Monster Guard mobile app is specially designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.