In 2007 in Manhattan, the chapter:

• Responded to 453 fires and other emergencies
• Assisted 2,220 adults and children with food, shelter and/or counseling following a disaster

Notable Activities in 2007:

Chapter Aids Residents at Harlem Fire 
When a two-alarm fire broke out at a 6-story apartment building at 242 Bradhurst Avenue and W. 154th Street at 3:30 am on December 20, three Chapter relief workers rushed to the scene. Sixty-six apartments were evacuated, and a 70-year-old woman was hospitalized with burns over 20-30% of her body. At the scene, ARC/GNY brought comfort and caring to residents standing outside in the cold in their pajamas. Chapter relief workers registered 10 clients, 9 adults and one child, providing them with emergency aid for food and clothing, along with metro cards and comfort kits.

Partial Building Collapse on W. 150th St.
After a partial collapse of a number of ceilings/floors within a 7-story apartment building at 305 West 150th Street on September 11, more than 12 Greater New York Chapter relief workers offered compassionate assistance to 78 people, 48 adults and 30 children, displaced from their homes. Red Cross set up a Reception Center at 2851 Seventh Avenue, the Frederick Douglas School, where they served meals and beverages to those affected. The Chapter also arranged for temporary housing for 21 families of 34 adults and 26 children.

Steam Pipe Explosion
In the wake of the steam pipe explosion in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, July 18, that created a street-wide crater on Lexington Avenue and a 20-story geyser of steam rained debris on pedestrians, Greater New York Chapter relief workers staffed a service center at Vanderbilt Avenue and 43rd Street. At that site, from July 18 through July 27, Red Cross distributed 4,250 meals, 6,335 bottles of water, and 30 cases of snacks to police, firefighters, Con Ed workers and others involved in restoring services. Trained Red Cross mental health workers were also available to assist with psychological first aid for anyone in need of emotional support.

Lenox Avenue Blaze
After a 3-alarm fire swept through a six-story apartment building at 110 Lenox Avenue at 3:41 am on February 11, Greater New York responders assisted 58 people (39 adults and 19 children) affected by the blaze, and provided temporary housing for 7 households of 30 adults and 14 children. 

Aid at 1-Alarm Fire
Red Cross employees and volunteers rushed to 524 E. 119th Street at 5:36 pm on February 2 after a 1-alarm blaze displaced 82 people. They provided the 56 adults and 26 children with food, beverages and warm, caring assistance. One family of two adults received emergency overnight housing.

After a 1-alarm fire broke out at 517 W. 160 Street, seven Red Cross volunteers and employees assisted 26 adults and 4 children with food, water, comfort and caring and provided 1 adult with temporary housing.

In 2006 in Manhattan, the chapter:

• Responded to 410 fires and other emergencies
• Assisted 2,077 adults and children with food, shelter and/or counseling following a disaster

Notable Activities in 2006:

On Saturday, September 30 at 9:00 am, three Red Cross responders rushed to a 1-alarm fire at a 7-story apartment building at 133 W. 140th Street. They brought food, water, comfort and caring to 8 adults and 4 children affected by the blaze. One household of 4 adults whose apartment was destroyed in the fire received emergency housing.

On Sunday, August 6, in response to a 2-alarm fire at a five-story apartment building at 422 St. Nicholas Avenue, six Red Cross volunteers and staff members aided 30 adults and 3 children, providing them with water and hot meals, and arranging for temporary housing for 25 adults and 3 children.

On Saturday, August 12, at 6:57 pm, six Red Cross volunteers and staff members rushed to a one-alarm fire at 434 W. 163rd Street. They gave 43 adults and 4 children beverages, meals, caring and comfort, and provided two households of 13 adults and 1 child with temporary housing.

On Wednesday May 24, four Red Cross staff members and volunteers were on the scene of a fire at an apartment building at 176 West 81st Street. Thirteen families (37 adults and 4 children) were provided with blankets, comfort kits, heater meals, bottled water and snacks. Temporary housing was provided for two families.

On Wednesday May 31, Red Cross responded to a two-alarm fire at a five-story building at 16 West 125th Street. Eight families (20 adults and 15 children) were cared for and given metro cards and comfort kits. The Chapter provided emergency housing for three families.

On Wednesday, April 26, four Red Cross staff members and volunteers were on the site of a two-alarm fire at an apartment building at 103 E. 102nd Street. They assisted 10 families (22 adults and 16 children) with food and water, and provided seven families (18 adults and 12 children) with emergency housing.

On Tuesday, April 18, shortly after 5pm, the Roosevelt Avenue Tram broke down, stranding almost 70 people for up to 12 hours in two trams cars hundreds of feet above the East River. Following a dramatic rescue, six Red Cross volunteers and staff members provided assistance at the scene, providing 30 blankets for passengers and hot chocolate and bottled water for passengers and first responders.

On Sunday, February 19, Red Cross was on the scene at a 2-alarm fire that occurred at 4:15 pm at 345/347 West 16th Street, providing food, water, comfort and caring to 26 families (adults and 7 children), and providing 12 families of 30 adults and 2 children with temporary housing.

On Jan 22 at 4:24 pm, a synagogue at 89 Rivington Street suffered a partial collapse. Four Red Cross staff members were quickly on the scene. Because of potential damage, six adjacent buildings (three residential and three commercial) were evacuated. Red Cross housed 11 adults and 5 children in hotels.

In 2005 in Manhattan, the chapter:

• Responded to 486 fires, building collapses, blackouts, floods and other emergencies
• Assisted 1,985 adults and children with food, shelter and/or counseling following a disaster