GREENE COUNTY PROVIDING SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO FATAL FIRE
News Release: April 23, 2010 Contact: Elizabeth Witte, Communications Director (724-852-5210)
WAYNESBURG, PA – Greene County officials are continuing to provide services to more than 40 residents of the Avalon Court apartment building in Waynesburg following a fire Thursday morning that claimed the life of one individual.
The three-story, 40-unit apartment building is owned and operated by the Greene County Housing Authority, an entity separate from the county. Most of the apartment complex’s residents have special needs, and approximately half of them are elderly, said Karen Bennett, Greene County human services administrator. The authority’s main office was also located on the first floor of the apartment complex.
Bennett, who coordinated the social services response to the fire, said that all residents have been accounted for, and most have been transported to the Comfort Inn and Super 8 hotels in Waynesburg for indefinite lodging. Several residents are currently at Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg, while others are staying with family.
Soon after the fire, Greene County Emergency Services, the Salvation Army and the United Way readied shelter space in the 4-H Building at the Greene County Fairgrounds, said Greg Leathers, emergency management operations and training officer. Other shelter spaces offered included Margaret Bell Miller Middle School’s gymnasium and the Waynesburg Senior Citizens Center. The nearby Waynesburg Moose Lodge and Family Center ended up being used as the primary shelter space, serving as a triage location and providing meals for residents and responders.
Greene County Emergency Services coordinated the emergency response to the fire, activating and following its Mass Casualty Plan in anticipation of a large number of injuries, Leathers said. The county dispatched emergency responders from across the county to the fire and then coordinated the backfill of those responders, he said.
Six residents were rescued by ladder, Leathers said, noting that no one had to jump to safety. One fatality has been confirmed: Patricia Eddy, 61, who lived on the third floor of the building.
According to Bennett, representatives from Community Action Southwest, the Greene County Department of Human Services and Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, Inc., were on-site Thursday morning, collecting names, needs and other information from residents and offering counseling.
Soon after word of the fire spread, Bennett said area businesses came forward to offer their help.
"Even in the face of tragedy, the outpouring of people helping was just unbelievable," Bennett said.
Community Bank donated funds to purchase food cards for residents, and Little Caesars Pizza and Wal-Mart both donated food at the site. Community Action Southwest’s senior services program offered residents meals, and the Salvation Army was on-site with drinks and other services. Waynesburg University also offered food and volunteers.
The County Assistance Office was on hand to collect information from residents needing to replace food stamps and other services, and McCracken Pharmacy, Giant Eagle Pharmacy and other local stores donated a five-day supply of necessary medications. Cherry Door, a store operated by the hospital auxiliary, donated clothing.
The Red Cross has provided clothing vouchers for residents, who were transported to the hotels after noon Thursday through the use of two Greene County Transportation Services vans. Transportation Services has scheduled a trip to Wal-Mart Friday for residents to purchase clothing and other necessary items, Bennett said. Transportation will also be available to any resident who regularly attends a senior center, and arrangements can be made to help residents continue their daily routines as much as possible, Bennett said.
Avalon Court residents are encouraged to contact Greene County Transportation Services at 724-627-6778 or toll-free at 1-877-360-7433 to arrange any necessary trips, or Greene County Human Services at 724-852-5276 or toll-free at 1-888-317-7106 for additional assistance.
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For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
