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Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin

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Fire Hurts!

alt Nearly every day across the country, a home or apartment is destroyed due to fire.   Families are left to watch helplessly as their homes, their memories, and nearly all their belongings go up in smoke.   Imagine losing everything you own in an instant – what would you do – how would you cope?

This is where the American Red Cross steps in.  Disaster volunteers and staff hurry to the scene and provide comfort and basic necessities to the family.  They give them a blanket, a safe place to stay and a shoulder to lean on.  They give them the hope of rebuilding their lives with the resources needed to begin recovery. 

This past fiscal year, Red Cross responded to 286 fires alone, which affected 529 families. While the Red Cross receives a lot of attention for our response to large-scale disasters, it is in these smaller responses that we are truly able to serve our community.  No other organization delivers the same services after a disaster as the American Red Cross. We are the first responders, following the fire department.

Fire does not care where you live, how much money you make, or how many people, pets or belongings you have. Some people will need more assistance reclaiming their lives, while others may just need information on the recovery process. Whatever the case may be, it is reassuring that someone is able to respond immediately and provide the necessary help and comfort so often needed.

Don’t let fire hurt you! Prevention and a few key habits will help you and your family stay safe:

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from anything that gets hot.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and get training from the fire department on how to use it.
• Plug heaters directly into a wall socket and unplug when not in use.
• Never overload electrical outlets.
• Avoid running cords under carpet and furniture.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including sleeping areas.
• Test and dust smoke alarms monthly, change the batteries yearly.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Make a fire escape plan with two exits out of every room.
• Practice your plan twice a year.
• Identify an outside meeting place to gather after escaping.
• Teach children that firefighters are their friends who can help.

In case of fire, follow your escape plan!

• Crawl low under smoke.
• Feel closed doors. If the door is hot, use your second way out.
• Go to your outside meeting place and then call 911 for help.
• Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT



Get Help

Get Help

Melody Stevenson, click to view story
After a Disaster-
Call 414-345-8678 for assistance.


For Your Service Member-
Call 1-800-696-3873 to talk to a caseworker.

Locating Family Members Around The Globe-
Visit familylinks.icrc.org or call 1-800-236-8680.

For Other Services-
Call your local 211 service. Operators are available to provide information and referral services.

Click for More Information.

Thousands of times every year, we receive calls for help. We couldn't respond with food, clothing and caring without your support. Please make a donation of your funds or your time today!

Take a Class

Take a Class

The American Red Cross offers a wide variety of training courses in first aid, CPR, AED, life guarding, swimming, babysitting, care giving, disaster response, and other areas for both individuals and organizations. We are the most trusted training provider of health and safety training that meets OSHA guidelines and many other professional and regulatory standards. Many self-study classes are available online and you can also register for classroom courses. You can:

  • Browse for courses
  • Find and register for classroom training
  • Take a course online
  • Download free digital course materials

Start Now!

In addition, we offer the following training courses in this area

Visit Take a Class to learn more

  • CBRF Trainings
  • Disaster Response Training
  • Lifeguarding and Swimming
  • Babysitter's Training
  • Instructor Training
  • Information for Red Cross Instructors
  • Organization and Group Training

Get Prepared

Get Prepared

By taking some time now to make an emergency preparedness kit and family communication plan, you will make it much easier on yourself and your loved ones if a disaster or emergency were to happen, whether it is a tornado, fire or power outage. Not only will you be better able to respond, but you may experience less physical, financial and emotional strain caused by the emergency.

We are here to help make you Red Cross Ready with three actions:

  1. Get a kit.
  2. Make a plan.
  3. Be informed.

Find out more. Request a presentation at your church, school or event today!

We also have programs geared at preparing your senior group and School Health volunteers.

Volunteer

Volunteer Now!

"We all have - whatever our background - some contribution to provide for the common welfare to help people." ~ Volunteer Bob Phelps

Each year hundreds of people from southeastern Wisconsin serve as Red Cross volunteers. With their help, time and commitment, the Red Cross is able to help people in emergencies, teach first aid and CPR courses, deliver emergency messages to members of the military, organize programs for the elderly and youth and much more. Red Cross volunteers work directly with people or provide behind-the-scenes support. To find out more about how we make an impact in your community, visit our News section for articles about the people we help every day.

Become a Red Cross volunteer! Helping others feels good and helps you feel good about yourself. Our chapter will work with you to find your true interests, and provide free training to help you serve your community.

Donate

 

Donate Now!

Your Funds Your Blood Your Items

Trust is very important at the Red Cross. We strive to be good stewards of every donated dollar. To find out how we make an impact in your community, sign up for the latest updates and information from our chapter. To find out how your dollars are used, view our financial documents.

To join other business and community leaders who support the Red Cross, make a donation or contact us.

For your school

Programs for your school Ways your school can help Resources

Thank you for your support! If you have any questions, please contact us. If you would like to find out how the Red Cross makes an impact in your community, sign up for our enewsletter.

NOTE: We cannot ship items overseas for your school. For more information, visit our FAQs.

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