Red Cross recognized for efforts during wildfire

Fourth Plain Village — Kelly Anderson, director of Emergency Services for the Southwest Washington chapter of the American Red Cross, was presented with the Excellence in Service award on Sept. 11. The award, presented by Dave LaFave, incident team commander and fire chief of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue in Kelso, was offered in recognition of the help the Red Cross provided to the victims of the recent Monastery Complex Fire near Goldendale. LaFave represented the Incident Management Team 3, which successfully controlled the fire. Red Cross staff and volunteers were acknowledged for their “selfless provision of food, shelter and compassion to those in need during a very difficult time.” Anderson said 25 Red Cross team members supported the relief efforts in Goldendale and 10 others in other locations. More than 200 local volunteers served meals, set up shelters for those displaced by fire damage, distributed water bottles in 100-degree weather and provided comfort.