We here across the South Plains are all too familiar with how sometimes dry weather and west Texas wind can cause some serious problems, keeping both our firefighters busy, as well as our local Red Cross.
The Texas South Plains Red Cross says since December, this dry winter has kept them especially busy. In just the past week, they report that they’ve responded to six house fires and have had to assist 25 residents across the South Plains. They respond to not only disasters in Lubbock, but as well as the 15 surrounding counties.
Nationally, the Red Cross responds to a house fire once every eight minutes.
Here at home, the Red Cross says their response efforts always begin with a phone call: either from a family member or neighbor of someone displaced or from Lubbock Fire Rescue on the scene of a fire.
The Red Cross volunteers are prepared to provide counseling on the scene, bringing with them basic necessities for displaced homeowners such as soap, toothbrushes, water, snacks, blankets and even stuffed animals for the children.
“We go out and want to make sure they have their basic needs met, that frequently starts with a hug from one of our trained volunteers we spend some time reassessing what they need,” said Laura Hann, executive director of the Texas South Plains Red Cross. “We want to make sure they have food, they have clothing, a safe place to stay and then you have volunteer case workers that follow up with them the next day.”
Hann also added that the if your family does not have a smoke alarm for your house, now is a great as time as any and they can help you do so by installing one for free. Just give them a call at: 806-765-8534
