In 1905, Congress mandated the American Red Cross to act as the primary voluntary national disaster relief agency "To continue and carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing same." Whether the disaster is a house fire that affects one family, or a flood or tornado that affects thousands of people, the American Red Cross provides immediate help to those affected during times of crisis. Locally, 99% of the disasters the American Red Cross responds to are fires. The American Red Cross, Knoxville Area Chapter responds to over 230 local disasters a year. Disaster Action Teams (DAT), made up entirely of volunteers, assess the needs of disaster victims to determine the clients' short and long-term needs. Assistance can include shelter (temporary and assistance with long-term), vouchers to purchase clothes and groceries, emergency medication assistance, psychological counseling, baby supplies, occupational items, and other emergency assistance a family might need as a result of a disaster. All assistance is based on disaster-caused need and is determined on a case-by-case basis. American Red Cross disaster assistance is free of charge, American Red Cross services are made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the American people. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The American Red Cross, Knoxville Area Chapter hosts a monthly meeting for all disaster volunteers and potential volunteers. They meet on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Knoxville Area Chapter, located at 6921 Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville. The public is welcome to attend. The American Red Cross, Knoxville Area Chapter responds to disasters in 10 counties in East Tennessee. For more information on Disaster Services, or becoming an American Red Cross disaster volunteer, please call Disaster Services at (865) 584-2999 or email disaster@knoxarc.org.
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