Red Cross on Scene of Minneapolis I-35W Bridge Collapse

by Kati Garner | August 2, 2007 at 07:52 pm

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Thursday, August 02, 2007

Source: American Red Cross

Minneapolis/St. Paul bridge collapse. Photo Heather Munro/Star Tribune The American Red Cross responded quickly following the fatal collapse
of I-35W highway bridge in Minneapolis last night.

Red Cross volunteers
have been working through the night, both at the site of the crash and
at the local Twin Cities Chapter, supporting families and rescue
workers. Two Emergency Response Vehicles have been at the bridge site,
providing food and water to families, emergency services personnel,
clergy and others at the scene. In addition, the charity has
established a family assistance center at a nearby hotel.

Red Cross Mental Health workers are also providing counseling onsite
and at the chapter building, where family members have gathered. The
“Safe and Well” Web site is also available, offering an avenue to
connect families looking for loved ones. We have a Red Cross public
affairs officer on the scene who will be filing additional stories
soon.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond
to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000
employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving
skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from
their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood
through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products
in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91
cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian
services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it
relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.