FOLLOW UP FROM SUNDAY'S EDGE CREEK APARTMENT FIRE

From CEO Elaine Acker

 
The chapter responded to a multiple unit fire on Sunday morning at the Edge Creek Apartments. There were 48 units affected, and it looks like 24 have been completely destroyed. We’ve opened about 18 cases so far to assist clients. Marty McKellips was among the first on the scene, and she described it this way:

"I arrived on the scene about 8:15 am and some of our casework volunteers were already present and working with clients.  Many people were wearing only pajamas; some people were crying and all were very stressed. I requested mental health support and a volunteer arrived to offer that type of assistance. As the morning wore on, the number of volunteers grew and we were able to assist everyone waiting by about 12:30. Those in pajamas could now get a change of clothes, food, and knew they would have a place to stay tonight. It was a great tribute to our volunteers.

I want to commend Emergency Services Director Steve Hailey and all of our amazing volunteers and staff for a job well done. This was Steve’s first response with our Chapter."

Details From Emergency Services Director Steve Hailey's Initial Incident Report:

The American Red Cross of Central Texas provided:
10 Cases of Water
5 Boxes of Snacks
100 Comfort Kits

Eighteen client cases were opened while on-site. Five families were put up in hotels for three nights each and more casework will be conducted with residents throughout the week.

Thank you to Starbucks for their coffee donation.

More news coverage:
Statesman:

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/07/20/0720fire.html

News 8:

http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=246880

HAPPY MONDAY ONCE AGAIN - CEO UPDATE

From Elaine Acker, CEO

 

Visibility
We have a cast of new “stars” here at the Chapter. Although I missed it because of channel surfing, I hear that Sara Kennedy, from our Education and Training Department did a fabulous job talking about water safety on KVUE this weekend. And then this morning, Melissa and Sara teamed with Kim Landry and Denise Blok’s kids, Kori and Riley, to promote the Babysitting Bootcamp on News 8. They did “live shots” all morning, followed by a taped segment. We’re getting calls from new participants, so they did a great job! Here’s the link to one of the babysitting segments. http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=244093

America’s Charities
We’re also looking forward to the America’s Charities reception at Santa Rita Cantina tomorrow evening. I really appreciate everyone who’s decided to attend. I think this will be a great opportunity to meet some of our workplace giving partners and plan a strategy to open new doors this fall.

So.. that’s the latest. If you have anything you’d like to be sure we share among our staff and board, please send me a note.

Elaine Acker, CEO

RIVERSIDE APARTMENT FIRE

News 8 Story

 
From Volunteer Tom Davis

The fire itself was in Building 4 of the 4-building Riverside Square complex (Blg. 4 has 10 units/floor and 3 floors). The fire started in, and spread through, the west 3/4 of the 3rd floor. Good news/bad news: the building's structure was sound (except for the totaled units on the 3rd floor), but there was water damage everywhere on the 1st and 2nd floors. They had to turn off power to the whole complex and call in an electrician to separate the power for Blg. 4 from the others before they could turn power back on for blgs. 1-3 and let their residents back in.

Building 4 was declared uninhabitable until it can be repaired or rebuilt.  Austin Fire Chief Kusey assigned an AFD team to talk to Blg. 4's residents, find out what they needed out of their apartments immediately, and go retrieve that. He said everyone would be able to go in and retrieve other belongings later today or tomorrow.

The ARCCT team set up in the office of Riverside Place. There were 11 empty units in Riverside Place, and the management put the people who had pets into them; Carol [Volunteer] said she'd open a shelter for the rest of the Blg. 4 residents who didn't have a place to go.

There were no injuries - to people or pets; only one pet (a dog) didn't make it out with her owner, and a fire fighter went in and got her out from under the bed where she was hiding. 

 

 

 

Tom Davis