American Red Cross Northern Minnesota Region - Annual Report FY13 | Page 14
Other Highlights from Fiscal Year 2013
Volunteers Comfort and Calm Wildfire Survivors
Wildfire survivor Marlene Snyder shares her escape story with Christina Hujanen,
a Red Cross disaster relief volunteer, Menagha, MN, May 16, 2013. “I thought I’d
come back and there would be things I would recognize, things I could save,” says
Marlene. ”I didn’t know I would come back to see something like this.” he fast
moving wildfire crossed several county lines in north-central Minnesota. Hundreds
were forced to evacuate, including residents from a nursing home in Menagha, the
town that suffered most of the fire damage.
Disaster Training Institute Makes Triumphant Return
Red Cross disaster relief volunteers Nancy Young and Mike Hofmann work
together during a training scenario during the 2012 Minnesota North Star Disaster
Training Institute, Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MNThe Minnesota North Star Disaster
Training Institute made a triumphant return in October when around 150 rookie
and veteran volunteers from 9 states turned out for a chance to build their Red
Cross disaster response skills. This was no surprise for Megan Mrozek, Regional
Emergency Services Director, “The disaster institute is a great way to train, network,
and practice together.”
”You brought us relief.”
Hudson, Wisconsin resident Nathan Steen receives comfort kits for his children
from Red Cross disaster relief volunteer John Trieb. The night before he noticed
an odd smell, opended the door and was shocked to see thick black smoke in the
hallway. Nathan pulled the fire alarm, but it didn’t work. He evacuated his wife and
children, called 91 and then helped other residents to safety. One resident later
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commented how grateful he and his mother were for the Red Cross, “You brought
us relief. You brough us comfort.:”
Red Lake Kids Get Red Cross Trained
Wearing gloves while cradling baby dolls, the children from Red Lake Elementary
School stood in two-person teams practicing skills and repeating Red Cross
instructor Debbie Foster’s directions for how to respond to a choking emergency.
“Keep coughing! Are you okay? Call 91 were some of the verbal directions
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given by Foster. Students learn how to respond to emergency situations, protecting
children during common local disasters. They learn first aid, how to hold an infant
and how to keep an injured person safe, plus tips on how to entertain youngsters
and deal with tantrums.