Red Cross-Snohomish County

Kelli Thode from the Everett Rotary is the Executive Director of the Snohomish County Red Cross.

In Snohomish Country the Red Cross has about 400 local Volunteers and they help all around the country.  There are 5 lines of service in the Red Cross, Disaster services, blood services, Preparedness Health and Safety services, International Services, Service to Armed Forces. 

IN Washington State there are 7 Chapters.  Snohomish County is one chapter and the office is in Everett.  Last year our chapter responded to 82 home fires in Snohomish County.  A disaster reaction team is a group of 2-4 people that respond to disasters in a home.  There are 5 teams that are on call 24/7 to respond if a disaster happens.  The captain gets the call, they drive out and meet with the resident to figure out insurance, housing and other needs.  They provide monetary assistance for food, emergency clothing and somewhere to stay.  They also bring blankets and comfort kits to help for the first 24-48 hours.

Home fires take the lives of more people annually than any natural disaster. Children and elderly are the most affected my the community.  Home fire campaign helps to distribute smoke detectors in homes and helps to set up home safety plans. 80% of people believe that they know what to do when there is a fire, but many of them don’t have a plan in place.  This is lifesaving for people.

National Home saving Campaign is a recurring program that the Red Cross will continue for years.  They are 10 year lithium ion batteries that won’t need to be changed. Also have bed shaker alarms for people that are deaf or hard of hearing.  Red Cross works with the fire departments to help implement this program.  On April 27 installed 444 alarms in Snohomish county.  Local Snohomish county has one Emergency Response Vehicle  (ERV) that goes throughout the country to respond to disasters.  Red Cross does shelter simulations to help in their training of volunteers.

Locally volunteers are always needed.  Also, if you know of anywhere where the Red Cross can find volunteers or can do a presentation they would love to hear from you.  Honoring Hero’s event every year at Tulalip is their biggest fundraiser of the year.  Also, have a board that helps to be a presence for the Red Cross in their community.