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Home > News > Red Cross of Greater Idaho Will Unveil State-of-the-Art Emergency Response Vehicle

Red Cross of Greater Idaho Will Unveil State-of-the-Art Emergency Response Vehicle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 6, 2018

Contact: Kristi Furman
Interim Public Information Officer
208-287-7008

Red Cross of Greater Idaho Will Unveil State-of-the-Art
Emergency Response Vehicle

 

The American Red Cross of Greater Idaho will unveil a new emergency response vehicle at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, during a ceremony in the parking lot in front of the Ada County Public Safety Building, 7200 Barrister Drive in Boise.

The unveiling will take place in conjunction with the Ada City-County Emergency Management Executive Council meeting and will feature a ribbon cutting and speeches by Doug Hardman, director of Ada County Emergency Management; Jim Tibbs, Ada County commissioner and chairman of the Ada City-County Emergency Management Executive Council; and Christopher Volmer, Red Cross disaster program manager.

During a disaster, Red Cross emergency response vehicles are on the frontline, delivering food and supplies, often to families cut off from other services. The design of these new vehicles has been overhauled from the chassis up, making this generation nimbler when encountering difficult terrain and debris. WiFi enables volunteers to complete critical casework at disaster scenes, two larger feeder windows allow the Red Cross to serve families more efficiently, external lighting can light dark disaster sites and a sliding lift system makes it easier to load supplies.

“Acquisition of this regionally deployable vehicle exemplifies the cooperation and collaboration between Ada County elected officials, emergency management and the American Red Cross to enhance mass care capabilities throughout Ada County and the State of Idaho,” Hardman said.

These vehicles respond to disasters such as flooding and wildfire in Ada County and can be deployed across the country.

“This new and modern emergency response vehicle will bring Idahoans the supplies and comfort they need at a time when they are most vulnerable,” said Roy Eiguren, Red Cross of Greater Idaho board chairman. “The American Red Cross of Greater Idaho is thankful for this incredible opportunity to better help residents and be even more prepared for when a disaster or crisis hits.”

This vehicle was funded through a Homeland Security grant overseen by the Ada City-County Emergency Management Executive Council. The council consists of 10 mayors and commissioners from Ada County and provides the Board of Ada County Commissioners advice and recommendations on emergency management.

“Without the grant funding provided by Homeland Security, this emergency response vehicle would not be available to serve the citizens of Ada County in times of emergency.  And we are immensely grateful for our strong partnership with Red Cross when responding to disasters in times of need,” Tibbs said. “This is especially notable given that we are gathering one day before the nation reflects upon the tragic events of 9/11 and honors the countless victims and survivors, as well as the brave first-responders who gave their all.”

The public is invited to attend the unveiling ceremony Monday to get an up-close view of the emergency response vehicle.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or facebook.com/redcrossidaho.

NOTE: The American Red Cross will have photographers on hand as well as an aerial drone taking photos from the sky.