Red Cross volunteers have busy start to new year

Disaster action team volunteers respond to 17 home fires; assist 57 residents

American Red Cross Press Release

While, for many, the start of the new year can move at a relatively slow, post-holiday pace, Red Cross disaster action team (DAT) volunteers have had an extremely busy and impactful start to 2026, responding to 17 home fires and assisting 57 individuals throughout the Western New York region in just the first few days of the new year. Those responses included two fires in multi-unit dwellings in the greater Rochester area, which displaced a total of 39 people.

DAT team volunteers respond to home fires to provide comfort and aid to victims, including financial assistance for emergency housing, food and clothing needs, as well as referrals for additional case services as needed. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, beginning July 1, Red Cross DAT volunteers have responded to 373 home fires in the 27-county WNY region, including a high of 76 in December.

“We focus heavily on fire prevention and safety education in an effort to keep families safe from home fires,” said Nick Bond, CEO of the American Red Cross of Western New York. “In our last fiscal year, we installed nearly 2,500 free smoke alarms in our region. When a fire does occur, our priority is to help those impacted cope with the situation and get them on the path to recovery as quickly and efficiently as possible. I could not be prouder of our dedicated volunteers who often leave the comfort of their home in the middle of the night to help individuals and families who are experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.”

The Red Cross of Western New York continues to seek additional volunteers to join the ranks of its disaster action team to provide help to neighbors, and experience fulfillment and growth. It is the dedicated Red Cross DAT volunteers who are among the first to offer comfort, hope and assistance in the case of a home fire, flood or other disaster.

Volunteers are provided free training to help them be successful and fulfilled in their roles. More information can be found by contacting RecruitWNY@redcross.org or visiting redcross.org/volunteer.

More about the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit on X at @RedCross.