Red Cross fire policy

Mayor calls change in response ‘separate but equal’

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett criticizes “separate but equal” treatment.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says he does not want a “separate but equal” policy when it comes to how the American Red Cross of Wisconsin helps families affected by fires.

“We want to make sure that people are being treated the same, regardless of where they live,” Barrett said Tuesday.

The mayor spoke with reporters at City Hall after his meeting with Patty Flowers, the agency’s executive director.

The meeting was held as the Red Cross faces backlash over its decision not to provide on-site volunteers to fires in 10 Milwaukee ZIP codes, stretching from the city’s north side to the near south side.

On Sunday, the agency said it plans to expand its new policy of meeting with families affected by fires at police stations or the Red Cross office to other parts of Milwaukee this month.

“If you have a family in the central city that’s a victim of a fire, they need to have the same response that a family’s going to get in an outlying area,” Barrett said. “That’s something that’s very important to me.”

Barrett said the agency told him at Tuesday’s meeting that this was a “temporary solution” linked to a volunteer shortage.

“I think underlying all of this is the need for volunteers, and if there’s one united message that we left that meeting with, it’s to let people know that the Red Cross needs volunteers to come to these fire locations,” Barrett said.

Critics have noted the 10 ZIP codes immediately affected by the change have large African-American and Latino populations, while areas that still will get on-site volunteers are predominantly white.

“I don’t want a separate but equal policy here,” Barrett said. “I want to make sure that you’re getting the same treatment for all individuals throughout this entire metropolitan area.”

Red Cross officials have said the change was part of a broader shift to use volunteers more efficiently and have volunteers and families meet in a safe and warm place.

“I understand the need to have people from these neighborhoods be part of the solution, as well, and that’s why I stressed to her that, look, you can find good people in all of these neighborhoods who will be willing to step forward to help others in the time of need,” Barrett said.

Churches, agencies and city and county officials can help the Red Cross find local volunteers, Barrett said.

Since Dec. 22, the Red Cross has assisted at five fires in Milwaukee under the new policy.

“Based on this success, we plan to expand this new procedure to other parts of Milwaukee and throughout the state of Wisconsin beginning in January 2018,” according to a Red Cross statement provided to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sunday.

The Red Cross already does not go out to fire scenes in rural parts of the state, instead offering help by phone.

Milwaukee aldermen are drafting a letter asking the agency to explain the policy change in public, Council President Ashanti Hamilton has said.

Red Cross officials did not agree to an interview when contacted after the meeting with city officials.

In its weekend statement, the Red Cross said the new procedure was based on “an assessment of where the majority of fires occur, surveying volunteer disaster responders, and through meetings with the Milwaukee Police and Fire Departments and Red Cross leadership to determine the best way to manage the needs of the community.”

“Our intention is to provide safe and warm locations for those affected by home fires to get out of the elements and receive Red Cross assistance as soon as possible,” the statement said.