This article was contributed by Red Cross Communications Manager Jim Burns.
On Oct. 25, a new Next Generation Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) was inducted into the American Red Cross of the Central Coast’s existing fleet of ERVs. The Capital Insurance Group (CIG), a Monterey-based insurance carrier, provided a cornerstone donation of $70,000 that supported the purchase of the new vehicle.
The new emergency vehicle, which will primarily serve communities in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, will also be available for Red Cross responses to national disasters elsewhere.
Photos of the new vehicle can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskGTmsp8
The new emergency response vehicle was unveiled at the Red Cross office in Santa Cruz during a lunch ceremony honoring local volunteers who deployed as part of the organization’s recent responses to Hurricanes Florence and Michael. Representatives from CIG were also on hand.
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 “next generation” ERVs have been overhauled from the chassis up, making them more energy efficient and nimbler when encountering difficult terrain and debris. WiFi onboard enables volunteers to complete critical casework at disaster scenes, two larger side windows allow the Red Cross to feed families more efficiently, external lighting provides a safer setup at disaster sites, and a sliding lift system makes it easier for Red Cross volunteers to load supplies. (See this comparison of the features of an old and new ERV.)
“Without the generous donation from community partners like CIG, this emergency response vehicle would not be available to serve our neighbors in times of emergency,” says Chapter CEO Michele Averill. “We are immensely grateful for this support. It allows us to respond efficiently and effectively during disasters such as the recent wildfires around California.”
“We are honored to support our local chapter of the Red Cross, as we share in the mission of repairing lives,” said Arne Chatterton, President & CEO of CIG. “As a property and casualty insurer, we understand the magnitude of what it takes to restore our communities during and after a crisis. We are proud to help the Red Cross purchase this new ERV and support disaster relief efforts in a tangible way.”
This short video highlights the important journey taken by Red Cross’ fleet of emergency response vehicles during the massive response efforts of 2017 — a series of disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, followed by the deadliest week of wildfires in California history: https://vimeo.com/242262823
In addition to CIG’s cornerstone support, the local Red Cross chapter’s purchase of the ERV was made possible by three other large gifts: $33,500 from the Robert and Virginia Stanton Endowment of the Community Foundation for Monterey County; $10,000 from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and $10,000 from an individual donor who wishes to remain anonymous.