SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES (SAF) 888-737-4306
The American Red Cross provides quality services to the men, women, and families of our U.S. Armed Forces through Chapter caseworkers, both paid and volunteer staff. Basic services include: Problem solving and crisis intervention, emergency communication between Servicemen and their families, assistance with grants for servicemen and their dependents for emergency travel or housing. In the event of an emergency, please contact the number listed above.

Disaster are disasters to those affected, whether the number affected is one, one hundred, one  thousand, or one million.  The need for help is always there.

Arcadia Chapter Disaster Responses:

December 29, 2008      Disaster Action Team responds to local single family fire.  Three residents displaced.  Red Cross provides 3 days hotel stay and financial assistance.

November 16, 2008     Disaster Action Team partners with San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter Red Cross to staff overnight shelter in Diamond Bar during Triangle Fire.

November 13, 2008     The GREAT SHAKEOUT - DAT team participates in California's largest drill by setting up a mock shelter for "victims" a magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

October 15, 2008     Disater Action Team member Neil Conrad presents Red Cross Disaster Services Information at Methodist Hosptial Emergency Symposium.

September 2008     Disaster Services Human Resources volunteers responds to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, staffing evacuation shelters and coordinating services with local governments.

July 29, 2008     Earthquake hits Chino Hills area of Southern California

April 27, 2008     Disaster Action Team partners with San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter Red Cross to staff overnight shelter in Sierra Madre during Sierra Madre Fire.

What does the American Red Cross do during disasters?

• Community Disaster Eduction presentations to local groups, such as schools, churches and businesses, showcasing emergency preparedness.

All our services are provided through the generous donations of time and money from volunteers and the community.

Become a Disaster Services Volunteer Today! Click here to become a Disaster Volunteer with the San Gabriel Valley , Arcadia and Pomona Area Disaster Action Team (DAT): An on call volunteer team responds to emergencies, from single family home fires to major disasters in the local area. All disaster assistance is FREE to our clients.   Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR):  Disaster Team members with advanced training respond to disasters nationwide on 10 day - 21 day assignments. ******************************************************************* Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the American Red Cross. The First step in volunteering with Disaster Services is to take the Introduction to Disaster Services on-line course at www.redcross.org. On the left hand column of the home page, click on the "Volunteer" tab in yellow. This will lead you to a box with the link to the Disaster Services Courses. This self study course was designed to explain the role of Red Cross Disaster Services and show how volunteers can become a vital role in providing relief to victims of disasters. Volunteer assignments in the affected areas are currently a minimum of 10 days, up to 21 days, under hardship conditions. Once you have completed this on-line course, please contact your local Red Cross Chapter for more information on how to become a Disaster Services Volunteer. You can find your local Chapter by entering your zip code on the Red Cross home page. At this time the American Red Cross - Arcadia Chapter is accepting applications from residents of the city of Arcadia. Please contact your local Chapter if you live in a neighboring city. We are grateful for your interest in helping victims of disaster. Volunteers truly are the heart of the Red Cross! ******************************************************************* "I would like to donate clothes, cars, or other items to charity. Does American Red Cross accept in-kind donations?" The American Red Cross does NOT accept or solicit small, individual donations of items for emergency relief purposes. Small items such as collections of food, used clothing, and shoes often must be cleaned sorted, and repackaged which impedes the valuable resources of money, time, and personnel that are needed for other agencies, suggests that the best use for those types of donations is to support needy agencies within donors' local communities. The best way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation to the American Red Cross. Financial contributions allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation. Monetary donations also enable the Red Cross to purchase relief supplies close to the disaster site which avoids delays and transportation costs in getting basic necessities to disaster victims. Because the affected community has generally experienced significant economic loss, purchasing relief supplies in or close to the disaster site also helps to stimulate the weakened local economy. ******************************************************************* How You Can Help as a Red Cross volunteer Disaster Safety Information to help you get prepared for an emergency Get the Facts on Food Safety During a Power Outage  Learn more about the new Masters of Disaster Curriculum for Grades K-8