SPOKANE, Wash. — Hundreds of credit union employees in the Spokane area have been forced to evacuate their homes as fast-moving wildfires sweep across the Pacific Northwest, with some losing their homes entirely, according to the GoWest Credit Union Association.
The association, which represents credit unions in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, said the fires are disrupting communities across its six-state region, prompting evacuations, damaging homes and businesses, and creating ongoing uncertainty for residents.
GoWest said the impact is being felt directly within the credit union movement, with hundreds of Spokane-area credit union employees displaced in recent days.
Disaster Relief Fund Providing Help
In response, the GoWest Foundation said it is making its Disaster Relief Fund available to assist affected credit unions and their employees, board members and volunteers. The fund provides financial assistance following wildfires and other natural disasters and is supported through donations from individuals, credit unions and other organizations.
“Credit unions have a long history of showing up for their communities when they need it most,” Sharee Adkins, GoWest’s executive vice president and chief impact officer, said in a statement. “Through the Disaster Relief Fund, we’re able to extend that same support to credit unions and their employees, helping them navigate the immediate challenges of a disaster and move forward on the path to recovery.”
According to GoWest, eligible credit union employees, directors and volunteers who have been displaced or experienced property damage can receive grants of up to $2,500 to help cover emergency expenses, including:
- Temporary lodging
- Fuel
- Food
- Replacement of damaged property
The foundation said credit unions may direct employees to apply individually or coordinate applications on their behalf.
Other Assistance Available
GoWest also said disaster assistance is available for credit unions whose branches or operations have been affected. Funding may be used for staff support, uninsured building damage and other recovery-related expenses.
The foundation is also accepting donations to support wildfire recovery efforts in Spokane and throughout the association’s six-state region. Officials said contributions will be directed to areas of greatest need and to those most directly affected by the fires.
In addition to financial assistance, GoWest said it has established a Wildfire Resource Center that provides information to help credit unions and communities prepare for and respond to wildfires. Resources include local updates from credit unions, wildfire tracking maps, state-specific recovery information and emergency preparedness guidance.
GoWest said it expects the need for disaster preparedness and recovery assistance to continue growing as wildfires and other extreme weather events become more frequent across the western United States. The association encouraged any credit union or employee affected by a natural disaster to contact the GoWest Foundation for assistance.
