The American Red Cross Sierra Delta Chapter has opened a shelter in Stockton to assist those affected by a large apartment complex fire that occurred earlier Monday morning north of downtown Stockton. Currently, four people have registered at the shelter (27 expected) and five Red Cross workers are providing warm meals, a safe place to sleep and emotional support for those with immediate, disaster-caused needs.
The shelter has been set up at a Community Center located at 1760 E Sonora Street in Stockton.
“We are sorry for all the families that were affected by this fire,” said Kathleen Weis, CEO of the American Red Cross Sierra-Delta Chapter. “Home, or in this case, apartment fires spread rather quickly, but we’re glad to see that no one was injured. We hope this shelter will provide the comfort they need until they are allowed back home.”
Four of the 18 units in the apartment fire were badly damaged, the rest of the units lost power. We ask that anyone evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family:
- Prescriptions and emergency medications
- Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements
- Identification to show residence is in affected area and important personal documents
- Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
- Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys
- Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled
- Chargers for any electronic devices you bring with you
- Books, games and other ways to entertain your family and yourself
- Note – Public health regulations do not permit pets in shelters; service animals are permitted.
Or
Food, crate, and other supplies to care for your pet
HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN
Home fires are the most common disaster. Seven times a day in the U.S. someone dies in a home fire. Every 40 minutes an injury from a fire is reported.
You can make a difference by taking steps to protect yourself and your loved ones and by joining the Red Cross to reach out in your local community.
The American Red Cross and its partners have launched an initiative that aims to reduce deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25% in five years with the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.
Here’s what you can do:
- Install and check smoke alarms.
- Have and practice an escape plan.
- Volunteer on a Red Cross outreach team to spread education and install smoke alarms.
We urge you to share these Red Cross preparedness tips with every member of your household, because the best protection is to be prepared ahead of time.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.
Help people affected by disasters like wildfires, home fires or floods and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org/donate, or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
For more updates, follow the Sierra Delta Chapter of the American Red Cross on Twitter at @RCSierraDelta. You can also contact us at 916-993-7084, visit redcross.org/GoldCountry or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/GoldCountry or visit us on Twitter at @RCSierraDelta or @RedCrossNECal