Home Fire Disaster Services

The Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services program supports families before, during, and after home fires and other local disasters. Through its Home Fire Campaign, volunteers install free smoke alarms, help households create escape plans, and deliver age-appropriate safety education—proven, life-saving steps that reduce injuries and deaths. When a fire occurs, trained Disaster Action Team members provide immediate financial assistance for essentials like temporary shelter, food, and clothing; connect survivors to licensed medical, mental-health, and spiritual care; and open pet-friendly shelters when needed.

Recovery caseworkers then walk alongside survivors for at least 30 days, helping replace documents, navigate insurance, locate housing, and—when barriers arise—provide supplemental assistance (e.g., work tools, first month’s rent, storage during repairs). Last year in Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana counties, Red Cross teams served 451 individuals in 141 households, distributing $110,040 in direct assistance. Since 2014, the Home Fire Campaign has documented 2,266 lives saved nationwide.

Why United Way supports it
A home fire can wipe out a family’s essentials in minutes—especially for ALICE households already living on the edge. This program delivers rapid stabilization, reduces future risk through prevention, and leverages a 90% volunteer workforce alongside local partners (fire departments, emergency management, 2-1-1, and more). It directly advances our Safe & Stable homes impact—increasing access to critical services, restoring stability, and building community resilience across the Lakeshore.