In just 10 days, American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers responded to 17 fires in three counties, providing food, shelter and clothing to 90 residents.

This recent spree began on December 7 with three fires, two in Milwaukee and a single family home in Mayville. DAT members responded, and provided four families with food, clothing, shelter and supplies for their babies.

On December 9, four families in Kenosha and Milwaukee were displaced. DAT members provided for their immediate needs, and Red Cross caseworkers followed up with them the next day to make sure they had the resources and assistance needed for recovery.

Two days later, the old adage ‘bad things happen in threes’ proved true. DAT members made sure that four families from three fires in Milwaukee and Kenosha had a warm place to stay and emotional support as they watched their homes in flames.

Three more responses followed on December 14, with volunteers responding in the DAT van and in the Emergency Response Vehicle. During an extended criminal situation in Milwaukee, two volunteers provided refreshments to emergency responders at the scene on that cold winter night.

Meanwhile, DAT members responded to fires at an apartment building and a house and gave them a warm bed to sleep in, and comfort kits full of basic items like toothbrushes and soap. Caseworkers met with three families the following day and assisted them with food, clothing and shelter.

This busy week is just part of what traditionally is a busy part of the year for Red Cross volunteers. As temperatures drop and families use unsafe heating sources, the number of fires increases and families are left with nowhere to go in the frigid weather.

DAT members are the first Red Cross responders on the scene of a disaster. Team members work with children, parents and grandparents to determine what they need---food, clothing, shelter, a helping hand---to make sure all their basic needs are met.

Red Cross caseworkers guide those families through the next step, on the road to recovery. Caring and ready, these volunteers work with each family to ensure their long-term needs are met and they know someone is there. Together, these dedicated groups of volunteers work hard to meet the needs of every family affected by a disaster in southeastern Wisconsin.

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.You can also support the Red Cross online by becoming a fan on our facebook page and following us on Twitter.