WI Red Cross Changes Post-Fire Response Model

Jan. 2, 2018
The American Red Cross will no longer send on-site volunteers to help residents at fires in parts of Milwaukee.

The American Red Cross of Wisconsin plans to expand its new policy of meeting with families affected by fires at police stations or the Red Cross office to other parts of Milwaukee this month.

The agency was criticized in recent days after its decision not to provide on-site volunteers to fires in 10 Milwaukee ZIP codes, stretching from the city's north side to the near south side.

Critics noted the affected ZIP codes have large African-American and Latino populations while areas with on-site volunteers are predominately white. Red Cross officials have said the change was part of a broader shift to use volunteers more efficiently and have volunteers and families meet in a safe and warm place.

Since Dec. 22, the Red Cross has assisted at five fires in Milwaukee under the new policy.

"Based on this success, we plan to expand this new procedure to other parts of Milwaukee and throughout the state of Wisconsin beginning in January 2018," according to a Red Cross statement provided to the Journal Sentinel on Sunday.

The Red Cross already does not go out to fire scenes in rural parts of the state, instead offering help by phone.

Mayor Tom Barrett has said representatives of the Fire Department and Red Cross will meet Tuesday at City Hall to discuss the changes.

Common Council members also are taking up the issue and drafting a letter asking the agency to explain the policy change in public, Council President Ashanti Hamilton has said.

In its weekend statement, the Red Cross said the new procedure was based on "an assessment of where the majority of fires occur, surveying volunteer disaster responders, and through meetings with the Milwaukee Police and Fire Departments and Red Cross leadership to determine the best way to manage the needs of the community."

"Our intention is to provide safe and warm locations for those affected by home fires to get out of the elements and receive Red Cross assistance as soon as possible," the statement said.

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©2018 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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