Red Cross in ‘critical need’ of volunteers

The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to help families in need as the number of house fires rise in Connecticut and the risk becomes more common around the holidays.

The American Red Cross said earlier this week that it is in “critical need of additional volunteers to join its Disaster Action Team.” The team’s volunteers respond to local disasters, such as house fires, and offer support.

Since Labor Day, the Red Cross has seen a nearly 50 percent increase in local house fires in Connecticut compared to the same time last year. For Connecticut, the Red Cross has helped more than 560 people affected by at least 150 house and apartment fires during that time. It helped at least 87 people in greater New Haven alone since Labor Day.

And the fires just get worse during the holidays. Across the country, the Red Cross sees 27 percent more home fires from November to March than in the warmer months. December is also the peak month for home candle fires, the organization said.

“Volunteers who respond to disasters are needed every day across Connecticut,” said Neil Brockway, the regional disaster officer for the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island region. “The significant increase in home fire responses — combined with the impacts associated with the on-going pandemic — has led to a critical need for volunteer Disaster Action Team members.”

Volunteers make up about 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce, making it possible for the organization to respond to an average of two house fires each day in the state, the organization said.

Connecticut alone has more than 1,750 volunteers, which include staffers for blood drives, volunteers for veterans’ hospitals, disaster response volunteers and more.

“It’s critical to have a trained, ready volunteer workforce to make sure we can provide disaster relief at a moment’s notice,” said Mario Bruno, the CEO of the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island region. “Please join our team of compassionate volunteers who are there to provide comfort, care and hope to families experiencing one of their darkest hours.”

The Red Cross is hosting one-day disaster training events in early December. The first is Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the New Haven Fire Training Academy. The second is Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Red Cross Montville Office.

The organization does require advanced registration for these sessions. To register, or learn more about becoming a volunteer, visit www.RedCross.org/CT.