SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
The Northern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross (NNCARC) and 60 volunteers from numerous local agencies went door-to-door for more than four hours in Reno today providing residents with life-saving fire safety, prevention and preparedness information.
NNCARC, in collaboration with the Reno chapter of HOPE worldwide, the Reno Parks, Recreation & Community Services, Reno Fire Department, and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Living With Fire program reached out to more than 600 residents in neighborhoods surrounding the University of Nevada.
“Reno residents where thankful and appreciated the information volunteers were providing. The volunteers said it was a heartfelt event and they enjoyed reaching out to their community” said Wendy Wangberg, Reno Chapter Director, HOPE worldwide.
This four-year preparedness program is part of a national American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide joint effort to educate citizens about fire safety and prevention in order to help reduce the level of fire incidences. The program is now running in more than 60 cities across the country, including the Northern Nevada cities of Elko, Winnemucca and Reno.
Home fires are the most common disaster that the Red Cross responds to, and urges all residents to follow the three basic steps of fire prevention – Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed. Additional lifesaving fire safety and prevention information is also available on the American Red Cross public Web site, www.redcross.org.
The Northern Nevada chapter of the American Red Cross covers 87,000 square miles with a population of more than 670,000 people. Our chapter territory is from Tonopah north, with our main chapter in Reno and branch offices in Elko, Incline Village and Winnemucca.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about becoming a volunteer, health and safety classes, or making a donation, please call 775-856-1000 or visit our website at www.nevada.redcross.org
