The Lebanon Area Foundation’s monthly Community Needs segment on Lebanon Now focused this month on something many Missourians know all too well: disaster preparedness.
Melinda Fries welcomed Lee Eastburn of the American Red Cross to discuss how families and communities can prepare for severe weather, home fires, and other emergencies during Missouri’s storm season. Eastburn explained that while large tornadoes often make headlines, home fires remain the most common disaster response for the Red Cross in communities like Laclede County.
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Eastburn highlighted how local volunteers are the backbone of the American Red Cross, responding to emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Volunteers assist families affected by fires and storms by helping provide shelter connections, casework support, emergency resources, and guidance through the recovery process.
The conversation also focused heavily on preparedness. Eastburn encouraged families to create emergency plans ahead of time, identify safe shelter locations in homes and workplaces, and prepare emergency supply kits with water, flashlights, batteries, medications, and important documents.
One major point emphasized was how quickly modern fires and storms can become deadly. Due to the materials commonly used in homes today, Eastburn noted that families may have only minutes — or less — to escape safely during a fire.
Fries and Eastburn also discussed the importance of community support during disasters, reminding viewers that local volunteers, neighbors, nonprofits, and agencies often work together long before outside assistance can arrive.
Residents interested in volunteering with the American Red Cross can visit American Red Cross to learn more about local opportunities.
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