American Red Cross emergency vehicle comes to Cheney

By BECKY THOMAS

Staff Reporter

Emergencies can happen at any time, in any place. The American Red Cross is better prepared to handle emergencies thanks to their fleet of 12 Emergency Communications Response Vehicles (ECRV).

One of the vehicles is based in Spokane, and came to Cheney last week during a meeting of the Cheney Rotary Club.

ECRV driver/operator Ken Hemmelman said the vehicles have significantly improved the Red Cross' ability to respond to emergencies since they were deployed in the early 2000s.

“These are designed to go into a disaster and we can set up a communication center in two hours,” Hemmelman said.

Red Cross workers can use radios, laptops and satellite technology to coordinate relief efforts from inside the heavily modified Ford Expedition. Ford Motor Co. donated the vehicles to the Red Cross. Hemmelman said a generator in the truck could power the equipment for 40 hours with a full talk of gas.

Hemmelman said he has responded to disasters, including floods and wildfires, in Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey and Western Washington.

“This is a national truck,” he said. “It goes wherever it's needed.”

The next nearest ECRV in the country is stationed in Sacramento, Calif., and Hemmelman said Spokane was chosen for its relatively small risk of earthquakes.

Hemmelman also said the Red Cross is looking for ECRV drivers. A 40-hour training course is planned for the area this month. Those interested should call the Red Cross at (509) 326-3330 for more information.

Becky Thomas can be reached at becky@cheneyfreepress.com.