FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2008
Media Contact: Peyton Roberts, 858-309-1271
(North County)—Under the direction of Supervisor Bill Horn, San Diego County District Five has provided a new 2008 Ford Explorer to the local American Red Cross to strengthen their emergency preparation and disaster response capabilities. As part of the fleet of response vehicles operated by the Red Cross in San Diego and Imperial Counties, the SUV is ready to haul shelter trailers, food, and emergency supplies during local responses.
Serving an area of nearly 10,000 square miles across two counties, local Red Cross volunteers depend on reliable vehicles to deliver resources safely to the scene of a disaster. Equipped to haul a shelter trailer stocked with supplies, this vehicle will be ready to serve local residents at a moment’s notice should an emergency arise. A team of about half a dozen trained Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers are on call to serve the North County area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"I’m pleased to provide a $30,000 grant from our Community Projects Fund for the purchase of this vehicle," said Fifth District Supervisor Bill Horn. "North County is large and rural, and this vehicle will help get supplies and aid to where we need it most. We are grateful to the Red Cross for their constant preparation and dedication to the safety of our residents."
The American Red Cross has led the effort to help San Diego communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters for 110 years. Local Red Cross volunteers respond to a disaster on average every 24 hours in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
"There’s no question this vehicle will give us increased mobility when we respond to an event," said Joe Craver, CEO of the American Red Cross – San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter. "We greatly appreciate Supervisor Horn’s support in reaching our goal of becoming America’s most prepared community."
About the San Diego/Imperial Counties American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on the generosity of the American people to provide our programs and services. The San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter is leading the effort to make San Diego and Imperial Counties ‘America’s most prepared communities.’ With the public’s ongoing support we provide life saving preparedness training; disaster relief services; 24-hour emergency services to deployed military personnel and their families; and nutritional counseling through our Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. For more information about or to support the chapter please contact 858-309-1200 or visit www.sdarc.org.