Further Medical Assistance Provided to LA, Orange County Clinic Partners

To assist Los Angeles and Orange County clinics respond to those affected by the Sayre Fire, Direct Relief has sent over $70,000 worth of specifically requested medical material aid to community clinics over 18 shipments since Saturday. The contents of these shipments were focused particularly on respiratory problems reported by these partner clinics and their patients.

Six of these shipments, containing fast-acting asthma inhalers donated by GlaxoSmithKline and N-95 particulate masks, arrived Monday morning via donated shipping from FedEx, with 12 more partners set to receive their assistance today.

Direct Relief remains in contact with its 50 local, long-time clinic partners, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, the Council of Orange County Community Clinics, and the California Primary Care Association to ensure that their medical material needs are met in response to this fire, which is only 40 percent contained according to Los Angeles County Fire Department reports.

According to partner community clinic Friends of Children Health Center in La Habra, the air is heavy with smoke and patients are reporting that they are feeling its effect on their lungs.

Anyone who is outdoors in the heavy smoke and ash is encouraged to use a protective N-95 particulate respirator, which is easy to wear. Medical supply manufacturer Medline Industries Inc. provided Direct Relief with a generous discount on its wholesale mask price, allowing the organization to purchase thousands of masks to provide to clinics.

Direct Relief has planned to aid two more partners in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, with material aid set to arrive Wednesday morning.

Respiratory Conditions a Concern as Sayre Fire Scorches 20,000 Acres

Direct Relief aid sent overnight via FedEx to help clinics responding to emergency

Working into the early morning hours today, Direct Relief staff completed six shipments of medical material aid to partner clinics in Oxnard, Tarzana, Garden Grove, and Los Angeles in response to the Sayre Fire. The shipments contain inhalers and N-95 particulate respirators, valued at more than $20,000 (wholesale), and will arrive Monday morning via FedEx, which donated its services.

Like the Tea Fire in Santa Barbara County, the Sayre Fire came on fast and has been fueled by Santa Ana winds up to 80 miles per hour, scorching 20,000 acres, displacing 10,000 people, and filling the air with smoke and ash. Poor air quality can be a serious health concern for people with respiratory conditions, including asthma.

Inhalers generously donated by GlaxoSmithKline for California fire response were especially requested. Bill Reimers, pharmacy director at the Tarzana Treatment Center in Northridge, said, “This fire is so bad I'm sure we'll have a real need for them.”

Anyone who is outdoors in the heavy smoke and ash is encouraged to use a protective N-95 particulate respirator, which is easy to wear. Medical supply manufacturer Medline Industries Inc. provided Direct Relief with a generous discount on its wholesale mask price, allowing the organization to purchase thousands of masks to provide to clinics.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared states of emergency for the Southern California counties affected by wildfires. Direct Relief remains in close contact with clinic partners throughout the region to assist where needed. The Sayre Fire is about 20 percent contained as of midday Sunday.

Direct Relief International Offers Emergency Aid in Response to Sayre Fire

Particulate Masks, Other Needed Materials Offered to Area Clinics

Direct Relief International today extended emergency medical assistance to partner clinics in response to the Sayre Fire in Los Angeles County that has burned more than 2,600 acres, prompting evacuations of more than 5,000 residents.

The organization is coordinating its response with community-based clinics and health centers in the affected areas and with regional clinic associations, and has contacted 20 area clinics to offer assistance.

During wildfires, respiratory issues become one of the most pressing health concerns. Nebulizers help treat asthma and N-95 particulate respirators (protective masks) are recommended to help protect lungs from wildfire ash and smoke.

With grant funds from the California Community Foundation, Direct Relief recently pre-positioned critical medical supplies to treat asthma patients in anticipation of such wildfire events in 37 Los Angeles and Orange County clinics. Thanks to longstanding relationships with these health providers, response to fire emergencies is quick and targeted.

Direct Relief remains in close contact with clinic partners responding to the fires and will furnish assistance as partners identify needs. The organization conducts an ongoing support program with the community clinics throughout the state and, as a licensed pharmacy wholesaler, is able to assist with specific medical items not available through other channels.

More than 1,000 buildings are currently threatened, with 600 firefighters tackling the blaze and Santa Ana winds reaching up to 75 miles per hour.