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ROBIN ERICKSON Director of Communications
PHONE (401) 831-7700 x101 E-MAIL [email protected]
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Monday, March 10, 2003 Red Cross Does Double-Duty on Disasters --
Pipe Burst and Fire Keep Volunteers on the Move Today
American Red Cross volunteers were called to back-to-back emergencies today in Providence and Pawtucket.
A burst pipe at 58 Steuben Street in Providence's Federal Hill neighborhood forced
two families --- a total of five adults and four children --- from the triple decker (the third apartment was vacant). The Red Cross is providing hotel accommodations for everyone affected.
From that scene, volunteers were dispatched 97/99 Chaplin Street in Pawtucket,
where a fire displaced two families --- a total of six adults and three children. The American Red Cross is providing the families with meals and hotel accommodations.
The American Red Cross has responded to more than fifty fires in 2003, providing over 250 Rhode Islanders with emergency services.
In 2002, American Red Cross of Rhode Island volunteers responded to 189 fires,
providing 1,179 Rhode Islanders with emergency food, clothing and shelter.
The Red Cross typically spends $1,000 per family of four it assists. All Red Cross
assistance is free. The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on private donations to provide emergency assistance to Rhode Islanders in crisis.
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