An official from the American Red Cross' national office is in the Tri-Cities to help troubleshoot relief efforts for victims of last summer's Hanford fire.

Dawn Flavin arrived last Thursday to help the Benton-Franklin chapter get help to victims of the late June wildfire that destroyed 11 homes and scorched 164,000 acres.

Some Benton City residents have complained the agency's process for determining who gets money is complicated and intrusive.

"People who donated to this fund did so with great compassion," said Irene Peck, whose mobile home was destroyed. "I feel that the Red Cross is not honoring their compassion because they're tied in to their red tape."

The agonizingly slow relief process prompted Benton City residents to invite Red Cross officials to meet with them at 7 tonight at the Benton City Community Center.

Adding to the discord are misconceptions about how the Red Cross works and concerns donations have been diverted for other purposes.

Thousands of donated dollars are still sitting in a bank account.

After the wildfire, an overwhelming community response produced $178,000 to help fire victims. The Benton-Franklin Red Cross chapter agreed to distribute the donations.

But the local chapter has never had to manage and distribute such a large pool of money. Other disasters, like the 1996 flood in Benton City, were big enough that the more experienced Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinated victims aid.

Greg Jones, chairman of the 10-member volunteer board that oversees the Tri-City Red Cross chapter, admits relief efforts have been slow.

"The process has not worked perfectly. There's no doubt about it. But we're trying," he said.

Jones said about $20,000 was spent immediately after the fire to provide victims basic items like clothing and bedding.

"The rest of it is sitting in a bank account ready to be spent. It's not like it's been misappropriated. It's not like it's been spent other places. It's in the bank," he said.

That money also will be spent on helping Hanford fire victims, he said, and said Red Cross is still working with five Benton City families.

Possibly complicating Benton City relief efforts were the numerous other Tri-City house and apartment fires this summer that left victims needing Red Cross help.

Also, the donated cash went into three different funds.

Jones said nearly $74,000 went into a fund exclusively for Hanford fire victims. But it appears some money intended for Hanford victims went to other accounts.

Red Cross records show $55,000 went to the agency's disaster relief fund, which is used to help victims of any local emergency. That includes a $10,000 donation from the Bank of America Foundation.

"Initially, we gave it specifically for the Hanford fire," explained John Neill, senior vice president of the bank's commercial banking sector. But he said he agreed to put the money into the other fund at the request of Buddy Davis, the Red Cross chapter's director.

Another nearly $49,000 went into the Red Cross' general fund to be used for any purpose, including administrative costs and office supplies. That included a $25,000 donation from Battelle.

"It's our expectation and the expectation of our employees that the money that was given will be used to assist those who were impacted by the Hanford fire, or to replenish emergency supplies that will drawn down by fire relief efforts," said Battelle spokesman Greg Koller, who learned of the discrepancy from the Herald.

But he added Battelle has a good relationship with the Red Cross and isn't questioning its accounting practices.

Another $25,000 was given by Fluor Federal Services, Fluor Enterprises, Fluor Foundation and Fluor Hanford. That money, along with contributions from other Hanford contractors, was divided among the three funds.

"It was our intention to make this contribution over our expressed concern for the victims of the (Hanford) fire," said Craig Kuhlman, Fluor Hanford spokesman.

However, Sue Kuntz, Bechtel Hanford spokeswoman, said her company agreed to put its $5,000 into the general account. "If they believe this is where the greatest needs can be filled, then that's appropriate," she said.

Davis, who underwent minor surgery in Seattle early this week, could not be reached for comment on the donations.

But Flavin, the Red Cross national official, said she's seen no unusual delays or complications with the Benton City cases. She was reluctant to speculate when the money will be spent, but said the agency is committed to helping families as quickly as possible.

That would be welcome news to the Benton City fire victims who have been trying to get some of the donations they heard were collected to help them.

Many say the Red Cross was initially helpful, but after the embers cooled, problems started.

Peck, a widow, said she was angry when a Red Cross volunteer told her she would have to repay the agency for some vouchers she'd been given if her insurance covered those expenses. But Red Cross officials now say vouchers are given freely, with no expectation of reimbursement.

Many victims expected to receive cash, but the Red Cross doesn't give money up front. Vouchers are given out or victims are reimbursed for certain expenses.

Benton City resident Bill Smith said the Red Cross reimbursed him for part of the cost of replacing his well pump.

"You have to fill out the paperwork and jump through the hoops they want you to jump through," he said. "It's a sweet and bitter story, but I did get something, and I very much thank them for it."

Requests for more than $1,000 are considered on a case-by-case basis, Davis has explained previously, and they must be approved by Red Cross' national headquarters.

Dan Autery and his wife, Ann, whose house burned, thought the paperwork was too much.

"They want more information than what it took for me to get a security clearance," Dan Autery said.

Peck and Benton City resident Bea Baker believe the Red Cross should consider restoring water and power to be standard emergency assistance. "Water and power are necessities of life. You've got to have them," Baker said.

Kelvin and Terrie Church, who have five children and lost their double-wide mobile home and a barn in the fire, would agree with that. People from their church helped them build a new well house, but they still hope the Red Cross will pay for a pump.

Jones said those are the types of expenses Flavin is expected to help sort through.