PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The Red Cross in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is deploying disaster relief workers to assist those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles, California.
Two wildfires — the Palisades and Eaton fires — continue to burn uncontrollably and encroach ever more on Los Angeles’ city proper. Five people have died so far as a result of the blazes and more than 130,000 people are under evacuation warnings.
Rosie Terravella, the regional executive of the New Jersey Red Cross, said that they have volunteers with various valuable skill sets ready to assist those in need.
“Just the sheer volume of homes that were engulfed in such a short time, you know, for every home that’s damaged, that’s a family or many families who have to find another place to go,” she said. “That’s our job, to provide that space.”
The fires have brought on an all-hands-on-deck situation because of their size. The Red Cross said volunteers from all over the country have been sent to Southern California to help.
Penny Tedesco, from Maple Shade, New Jersey, is leaving her family behind for two weeks to offer assistance. Although she has volunteered at hurricane relief shelters several times before, it has always been after the storm had passed. This will be her first experience in an active disaster situation.
“I think this one is going to be more difficult because it is right as everything is happening, whereas my other deployments were a few weeks after the fact,” said Tedesco. “It’s gonna be tough. I packed a lot of tissues.”
Once in California, the volunteers will be working at the emergency shelters set up for those fleeing the fires. They provide food, water and other supplies they may need. Health services and emotional support for Los Angeles residents going through the traumatic experience are also available at the centers.
In the past, Red Cross volunteers have flown out of the region to help with hurricane, tornado, and other disaster relief. They’re usually scheduled to stay for a certain period of time — a week or two — but there’s a chance they may stay longer depending on the need.