Red Cross delivers critical support when communities need it most

When flames tore through a Glen Cove apartment building in the early hours of April 17, displacing 15 residents, the American Red Cross of Long Island was already preparing to respond. Shortly after the blaze at 68 Glen Cove Ave., trained volunteers from the organization’s Disaster Action Team were on the scene, offering emergency support and compassion to shaken families who had lost their homes.
The fire, which began in an unoccupied unit under construction, was spotted around 3:38 a.m. by Glen Cove Police Officer Pedraita during a routine patrol. With Officer Vezza, Pedraita entered the building and began evacuating residents. Fire crews from Glen Cove and multiple neighboring departments quickly arrived to assist, ultimately rescuing five individuals from a second-story window and guiding others to safety through heavy smoke conditions.
While first responders battled flames, the Red Cross mobilized its network of volunteers. According to Jose Dominguez, CEO of the Red Cross on Long Island, the Glen Cove Fire Department alerted the organization’s dispatch system, triggering a well-rehearsed response protocol.
“Our Disaster Action Team volunteers living in Glen Cove were notified and deployed quickly,” Dominguez said. “They arrived within an hour to provide immediate relief to the families affected. It’s a coordinated effort built on years of collaboration with local emergency services.”
The Red Cross response includes more than warm blankets and kind words. Volunteers provided displaced residents with financial assistance in the form of prepaid debit cards to cover urgent needs such as food, clothing, and temporary shelter. In this case, many of the families were temporarily housed at the Glen Cove Mansion.

“This financial aid isn’t designed for long-term recovery,” Dominguez explained. “It’s meant to support individuals and families through the first few days after a disaster, giving them the essentials and peace of mind while we begin the next phase — long-term casework.”
Dominguez, who has served in his role for three years and has over two decades of experience with the Red Cross, emphasized that 90 percent of the organization’s workforce consists of volunteers. “Because of that, and thanks to our generous donors, 91 cents of every dollar we raise goes directly to providing services,” he said.
In Nassau County alone, there are roughly 600 active Red Cross volunteers — including over 150 trained specifically to handle disaster response. These volunteers rotate on-call shifts and are activated as needed, ensuring that response times are swift and efficient.
After initial contact, Red Cross caseworkers assist displaced residents with recovering lost documents, replacing medications, and navigating social services. If permanent housing is needed, the organization coordinates with other nonprofits such as Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army, and, when possible, works with landlords to identify alternate accommodations.
“Every situation is different,” Dominguez said. “Some landlords step up and help with temporary housing or open another unit. Others don’t. When that happens, we rely on our network to support long-term recovery.”
The Glen Cove fire is one of many incidents the Red Cross responds to annually. As disasters increase in frequency and severity, so does the demand for volunteer support. Dominguez encouraged more Long Islanders to consider joining the effort.
To learn more about volunteering or donating, visit redcross.org/LongIsland.