Claremore Daily Progress

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August 8, 2011

Red Cross provides canteens for emergency responders in first two days of August

Staff Reports Claremore Progress

CLAREMORE — In just the first two days of August, the Tulsa Red Cross provided seven canteens for emergency responders and responded to at least three major widespread fires.

The trend began with the arrival of extreme temperatures in mid-June, with police and fire departments increasingly calling upon the Red Cross to provide critical hydrating beverages, snacks and meals for workers responding to emergencies ranging from wildfires to stand-offs to commercial building fires to single family home fires.

The Tulsa Red Cross was on-scene at the fire in Turley on Tuesday providing meals, drinks and snacks for emergency responders and, at that one event, distributed:

• Nearly 900 bottles of water and replenishing beverages

• More than 1,000 snacks

• 300 sandwiches

The Red Cross operates at the scene of the emergency, providing vital replenishing beverages, water and energy sustaining snacks. In addition, Red Cross provides meals for the responders when needed. 

Quik Trip, in a long-standing partnership with the Tulsa Red Cross, donates the majority of the emergency-response beverages and snacks.  However, due to the high demand this summer and the significant storm response this past spring, Red Cross resources have been stretched and additional financial donations are needed to help replenish the stock.

In July, the Red Cross provided canteen services for nearly 25 emergency response events.  That is in contrast to 2010 when the Red Cross received only one canteen request for the entire month of July.  

The extreme heat contributes to the increased need for Red Cross services.  Prolonged exposure to the high temperatures can result in heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can kill. The extra protective gear worn by emergency responders also becomes a factor.  When all of those elements come together, onsite canteen services become critical for the safety and well-being of the emergency workers.

All of the services to emergency responders and disaster victims are provided free of charge by the Red Cross.

Photos from two of the multiple Red Cross canteens on August 2 Red Cross are posted on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tulsa_red_cross/sets/72157627341710982/.

The photos may be used on your website, on-air and in your publications with a courtesy for American Red Cross.

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on volunteers and financial donations from the public to provide services.  Those wishing to donate to the Red Cross in order to assist the organization with critical funding for disaster and emergency response can do so online at OklahomaRedCross.org, or by sending a check payable to American Red Cross – Tulsa Area Chapter to P. O.  Box 995, Tulsa, OK  74128.

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