Volunteers Work Across State Lines to Help Family

CONCORD - Dec 29, 2006 - Christmas was not on the minds of two Concord Disaster Action Team (DAT) members who recently joined firefighters from over a dozen towns in responding to a single-family fire in Canterbury. The home to a family of five was completely engulfed in flames and a total loss.

DAT members, Dan Brennan, Director of Emergency Services for the Concord Chapter and Helen Champa, a DAT volunteer, arranged for food, clothing and shelter for the mother and three young children who were not home at the time of the fire. Two other members of the family, a Chesapeake Bay retriever and a Dachshund-Beagle, escaped unharmed.

The father was sent to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center for treatment of burns. The local DAT members worked across state lines with the Worcester Red Cross Chapter to arrange for his wife to stay in a nearby hotel.

"Fire tragedies present hard times for families and even more so during the holidays." said Dan Brennan. "The loss of personal belongings, clothes, housing, as well as all the family presents, is traumatic." The community of Canterbury responded as well with an exceptional out-pouring of help and donations.

Red Cross disaster volunteers work tirelessly to soften the blow from disasters and are specially trained to care for families in crisis, providing clothing, food, shelter and other needs. All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free to those in crisis, and made possible by donations of funds and volunteer time from the community. Members of DATs are available 24/7 to help as needed.

Fires are the most common disaster requiring Red Cross response. See the related story: Be Prepared for House Fires.

Your local Red Cross Chapter is always available to help. If you would like to learn more about the Chapter or disaster action teams, please contact us at 603-225-6697 or 1-800-464-6692.

Your Location: Home : About Your Chapter : News and Events : Commissioner Brothers Increases Workplace and Community Safety