Fairfax, Va. (Dec. 21, 2009) – The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region assisted 300 stranded passengers at the Greyhound Bus station in the District over the weekend as heavy snowfalls made roads nearly impassable. The passengers were caught at the station when Greyhound and other mass transit systems ceased operation until the snow emergency lifted and the roads could be cleared.
The Red Cross contracted with the Hardee’s Restaurant located in the bus station to feed the passengers lunch and dinner until Red Cross vehicles were able to arrive at the scene. Up to 180 passengers were required to shelter in place over night at the station, and the Red Cross provided cots, blankets and comfort kits. Bus service resumed at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20.
In addition, throughout the weekend, the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region responded to house fires in Prince George’s County; Washington, D.C.; and Fairfax County; a gas leak in Prince William County; and a full activation of Alexandria’s Emergency Operations Center to feed and shelter 50 first responders and EOC staff.
All disaster operations are coordinated and headquartered in the Red Cross’ Regional Disaster Coordination Center. The RDCC, a state-of-the-art facility, located in Red Cross Regional headquarters in Fairfax, serves as a coordination and communication hub in the event of a local or regional disaster. This facility, made possible through a generous corporate donation from Shopper’s Food, is equipped with top-of-the-line technology and gives our expert disaster response team the ability to track a disaster as it develops, to work with and communicate effectively with government officials and community partners (many of whom have a seat in the RDCC for use during a disaster), and to respond in the most efficient and effective manner to help save lives.
The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region is a volunteer-led organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and empowers people in the D.C. Metro Area to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies. Financially supported by the generosity of the local community, the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year responding daily to local disasters while continuing to build its capacity to effectively prepare for and respond to the next major disaster to strike our community. The region consists of the National Capital Area chapter (the counties of Prince George’s, Montgomery and Fairfax; the District of Columbia; the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and field offices at Fort Belvoir, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health) and chapters in Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William.
For details on the services of the RDCC or the American Red Cross in the National Capital Area, or for other media assistance, contact Kathy Thompson, director of communications and media relations, 703-584-8412, or e-mail ThompsonK@redcrossnca.org.
Communications & Media Contact:
Kathy Thompson
Director, Communications & Media Relations
American Red Cross of the National Capital Area
O: 703-584-8412 / C: 240-375-9020
E-mail:Thompsonk@redcrossnca.org
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