Aid recipients were identified through the Tea Fire Long Term Recovery Committee, an interagency working group coordinating assistance among local nonprofit organizations including the American Red Cross and the United Way. A caseworker hired by the committee has assisted the residents with their aid requests and confirmed the extent of their loss.

Among the grant recipients are Lance and Carla Hoffman. The couple escaped through the flames but suffered serious burn injuries that have required specialized care in Orange County since the fire. The cash grant will help them cover medical expenses, which surpass $95,000. Other grants have been approved for uninsured residents identified as being in extreme financial hardship directly caused by losses in the fire.

These cash grants were made possible by generous donors who contributed to Direct Relief’s response and recovery efforts, including the leading software company QAD, based in Santa Barbara.

During the incident, Direct Relief tapped internal funds from its general emergency account to purchase and distribute thousands of protective N95 particulate masks to residents and emergency personnel. Tea Fire contributions were not used for those expenses or internal personnel costs related to the response because the organization determined the actions were the type of activities for which it raises general funds.

As a result, Direct Relief is using 100% of all contributions specifically designated for the Tea Fire for direct financial assistance to fire victims. “In all emergencies that generate restricted contributions, we believe it important to articulate very clearly how such contributions are used, including explaining our internal accounting practices,” said President and CEO Thomas Tighe. “We are very fortunate to have supporters who understand that emergencies are difficult to predict and allow us the discretion to use funds as needed.

“Because of that general support to Direct Relief,” he continued, “we were able to respond fast and, in this case, use every designated dollar we received to support local residents only and precisely for that purpose.”

Remaining Tea Fire funds will be allocated to affected residents identified and approved through the interagency process. People affected by the Tea Fire may contact Pamela Voge, Long Term Recovery Coordinator, at the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross to apply for assistance: (805) 687-1331 ext. 107.

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Between 20 and 30 temporary workstations outfitted with Internet-accessible laptop computers will be available to applicants on a first come, first served basis. The work stations are available starting January 5, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Users are asked to respect a 30-day limit per person, with laptops available for in-office use only.

To apply for a QAD temporary workstation, contact Damon Taugher at Direct Relief: (805) 964-4767, or dtaugher@directrelief.org.

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The N-95 masks, which are easy to wear, help their wearer avoid inhaling harmful particulate matter in the smoke and ash. Residents with respiratory conditions like asthma, older adults, and those who must be outdoors for long periods are encouraged to come by and pick up a free mask for themselves or family and friends.

Direct Relief has secured generous donations of 24,800 more N-95 respirators to help residents of Santa Barbara County avoid the harmful effects of smoke and ash from the Tea Fire. Longtime donor 3M is providing 20,000 masks, with an additional 4,800 coming from Zee Medical, also a prior supporter.

Medline Industries, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, has also offered a below-wholesale price on its masks, which Direct Relief has purchased with emergency funds.

The masks will be delivered to Direct Relief’s Goleta headquarters tonight and through next week to replenish stocks as needed. The region has been under an air quality advisory due to smoke and ash from the Tea Fire, which has burned 1,500 acres as of 8 PM Thursday.

The post Direct Relief, Santa Barbara Public Health Plan Second Mask Distribution for Saturday appeared first on Direct Relief.

Free masks will be distributed to area residents in the parking lot off Las Positas, near the intersection with State Street. The N-95 masks help protect against inhaling particulate matter in smoke and ash, a particular concern for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Air quality warnings due to the fast-moving Tea Fire have been issued through the area, advising residents to limit outdoor activity. The fire has burned 2,000 acres as of this morning.

As of 8 AM Friday, November 14, more than 100 homes have burned; three people have suffered burns and at least 10 have suffered from smoke inhalation. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated, with 210 at the Red Cross shelter staged at San Marcos High School at Turnpike and Hollister. A total of 480 masks are being delivered to the shelter.

Winds that reached up to 70 mph last night have subsided this morning, assisting the 1,000 fire personnel fighting the fire.

Resources:
Emergency Call Center: (805) 681-5197
Evacuation information: 211
Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services

The post Direct Relief International, Santa Barbara County Public Health Distributing Free Particulate Masks Today appeared first on Direct Relief.

Firefighters and other emergency responders are using N-95 particulate respirators provided by Direct Relief. The masks help protect against fine particulate matter in heavy smoke and ash that can be harmful to breathe. Additional medical aid stands ready in Direct Relief’s Goleta warehouse should it be needed.

Starting at 5:45 pm Thursday, the fire swiftly consumed dry brush as winds from 25 to 75 miles per hour whipped flames up heavily wooded hillsides, threatening homes in Santa Barbara and Montecito. Residents north of Mountain Drive and Cold Spring Road have been ordered to evacuate.

Direct Relief has extensive experience responding to California wildfires, including the Gap Fire in Santa Barbara earlier this year and the San Diego ildfires of 2007. That experience has shown that the N-95 masks become increasingly important as smoke and ash increase. A high wind warning is in effect for the area.

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