The Metro NY North Chapter of the Red Cross has provided aid to 13 people affected by two separate fires in Westchester County over the past week, according to a news release from the Red Cross.
The chapter assisted eight individuals from three households impacted by a fire on Rockland Avenue in Yonkers on June 20, and five individuals from two households affected by a fire on 4th Street in Verplanck on June 21.
According to the Red Cross, the disaster team met the “immediate needs” of the families directly after the incidents.
The Red Cross provides emergency aid — including financial assistance, recovery planning and health services — to affected individuals up to two weeks after a fire has happened, said Desiree Ramos Reiner, the nonprofit’s chief external affairs officer for the greater New York region.
“We then also have a follow-up process where our case workers will call a family and talk to them about additional needs and then try to create connections for them with other nonprofits and sometimes government agencies,” she said.
Regional Red Cross chapter responded to 111 fires so far in 2026
The Metro NY North Chapter, which covers Rockland and Westchester, has responded to 111 fires in the past year, providing support to over 450 households, said Ramos Reiner.
The chapter is currently stocked with 970 volunteers, who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“These are your neighbors in and across Westchester and Rockland County who sign up for shifts and take all of your training in order to be able to respond to help people when they are in an emergency,” said Ramos Reiner.
Residents affected by either fire who require aid can connect with the Red Cross by calling 1-877-Red Cross (1-877-733-2767) and selecting option 1.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Red Cross assists 13 people affected by recent fires in Westchester
Reporting by Leia Green, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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By Leia Green, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
