Why I Serve – Steven Latas-Nicks

Provincetown businessman Steven Latasa-Nicks has been trained in CPR and First Aid for as long as he can remember. But it was during his freshman year of college he took his skillset to the next level.

“I was working as a dispatcher for the campus police and they needed someone to train the department in CPR.”

Training up as an instructor was something Steven was happy to do. But it wasn’t until he and his husband opened their restaurant Strangers & Saints in 2016 that he realized his training set him apart from many people.

“You just don’t think about the number of emergencies you might encounter in the restaurant business,” he said, citing everything from kitchen to choking hazards to other customer medical emergencies.

Steven worked out a deal with Provincetown’s local health department; if they would budget to purchase the necessary training supplies, Steven would re-train as an instructor and teach classes on his own dime.

His involvement with Training Services led Steven to other Red Cross lines of service – most notably Disaster Cycle Services. Soon, he was leading DAT responses and preparedness trainings around the Outer Cape.

Steven secured Red Cross vehicles to participate in the 2019 Provincetown Carnival parade. He says, while the vast majority of the spectators he encountered were grateful to see the Red Cross logo, every so often he would hear a chant of “You don’t belong here!”

While Steven understands some members of the LGBTQIA+ community are frustrated with the FDA’s policy deferring some men who have had sex with other men from donating blood – he says that policy does not represent what the Red Cross truly stands for.

“In all the Red Cross responses I have been part of, one thing that comes through is that members of the family unit receive the same support no matter what the family looks like, with no bias. That support is baked in to all our trainings, too. Photos of same sex families feature prominently, and all volunteers are instructed not to consider race, gender, sexuality, religion, legal status or anything else other than the need that is there to be met.”

And, Steven says, the best way to ensure those needs are always met – and that the Red Cross continues to evolve along with the communities it serves – is to build from within.

“The more LGBTQIA+ volunteers the Red Cross recruits, the more inclusive our services become.”

If you would like to learn more about volunteering for the Red Cross of Massachusetts, please visit redcross.org/volunteertoday or email MAVolunteers@redcross.org

Steven Latasa-Nicks has been a Red Cross volunteer since 1984. In addition to his work as a CPR/First Aid instructor and Disaster Cycle Services first responder, he and his husband own Strangers & Saints, a restaurant located on Commercial Street in the East End of Provincetown.

100 years after the Red Cross response to Tulsa Race Massacre

by Molly Dalton

On May 31 and June 1 in 1921, one of the most horrific acts of racial violence in our country took place, the Tulsa Race Massacre. Over the course of 18 hours, a white mob brutally attacked residents, and looted and burned down homes and buildings in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was known as the “Black Wall Street,” one of the wealthiest communities in the U.S.

In less than 24 hours, more than 300 people died and approximately 10,000 people were left homeless. Over 190 businesses, a junior high school, several churches and the only hospital in the district were destroyed. And, more than 800 people were admitted to hospitals.

In 1921, Maurice Willows was working at the Red Cross Center in St. Louis, Missouri when he was alerted by a letter of the terrible incident in Oklahoma. Within 24 hours of being alerted of the heartbreaking Tulsa Race Massacre by Maurice, the American Red Cross was dispatched to provide relief to the Black community and set up a makeshift hospital and school, help develop more permanent housing plan for those made homeless and provide other aid in this great time of need. Maurice also secured $100,000 in funding to mount a sustained relief effort and his leadership secured resources and aid for those affected by the riot, setting a precedent for future humanitarian efforts. This tragedy set a new standard for how the Red Cross connects with and cares for people affected by violence.

Today, the Red Cross continues to deliver help whenever and wherever it is needed regardless of individual’s wealth, appearance, identity, who they love, their political affiliation or religion.

Helping Service Members Live Their Best Life

What inspires someone to help a stranger? For Rondey Allen, it’s knowing his knowledge, military background, and passion can help make someone’s life better.

Rondey volunteers with the American Red Cross as a mental health therapist with the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, working with local service members to help them better cope with family communications, stress solutions and ways to talk about trauma.

“As a therapist, I love making services accessible to people who typically wouldn’t access them. Middle-aged men and veterans can see therapy in a less than positive light, and I love being able to relate to clients my age and veterans as we work on underlying emotional issues,” said Rondey.

Rondey is a licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, with his Master’s Degree in Social Work, and with his knowledge, he is helping our nation’s service members cope and adjust to life after deployment and after their military service. Rondey best understands those unique situations because as a veteran himself, he understands how servicemembers might struggle with the transition.

Rondey Allen grew up in Boston and joined the U.S. Army immediately after high school. He went to basic training and continued his training as a combat medic, working at various military hospital facilities in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area. He served during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990s.

Rondey later used his military benefits to work his way through college earning both his undergraduate and master’s degree. During his time at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Rondey decided to make Western Massachusetts his home.

Rondey is the Executive Director of Cross Point Clinical Services, founded as a Christian outpatient mental health organization, based in West Springfield, MA.

“I’ve always had it in the back of my mind that this might be a way to help veterans, and I found it was a very natural connection. I’ve had in my practice different veteran behavior health certifications. I felt like I had something to offer because of my experience as a veteran. I understand the culture and that unique experience,” said Rondey.

Rondey volunteers his time at workshops sponsored by the Service to the Armed Forces program with the Red Cross. SAF staff and volunteers coordinate with military commands to ensure vital family services are made available to our nation’s service members.

The SAF program dates back to the establishment of the American Red Cross by Clara Barton in May 1881. Not only did the “Angel of the Battlefield” risk her life tending to soldiers wounded in the Civil War, but she also bolstered their morale by writing letters for them to send to their families. Today’s American Red Cross workers proudly carry on this tradition through the SAF program, which serves as a critical line of communication between the U.S Armed Forces and their families.

More than 500 Evacuated due to Gas Leak, Red Cross Volunteers Assist at Local School

American Red Cross disaster volunteers responded to a community evacuation in Lawrence, Massachusetts Friday September 27, 2019, after a natural gas leak was discovered which forced hundreds of people from their homes in South Lawrence.

Red Cross volunteers worked with Lawrence Public School officials to open the Arlington Street School reception center less than one hour after notification, giving hundreds of residents a place to go in the early morning hours.

Many clients at the reception center remarked they were displaced by the natural gas leaks a year before, and were evacuated to the same location. Clients discussed their hesitancy to go back home out of fear of further leaks. Red Cross mental health volunteers spent hours speaking with clients, listening to their concerns and giving them information on ways to manage the stress that comes with an evacuation of this type.

By days end, dozens of Red Cross volunteers had assisted and comforted 530 residents from 120 families. Nearly 700 meals were served during the 15 hours of operation at the Arlington Street School. Local community partners, the Lawrence Public Schools and the Salvation Army provided food and snacks throughout the day for those evacuated from their homes.

Red Cross seeking Heroes for annual recognition events

The American Red Cross is seeking nominations for next year’s Heroes Breakfasts held to honor the selfless and humanitarian acts of the citizens throughout the Commonwealth.

The Red Cross wants to honor those who are enriching and transforming lives, be it through a heroic act that saved a life or through the donation of years of service to the public. At the events, the Red Cross will proudly showcase how local heroes change lives. The annual Heroes breakfasts honors ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

For the last 17 years, our offices in Hyannis, Peabody, Springfield and Worcester Massachusetts have brought together local businesses, community partners and everyday people doing good in their community.

Nominate a hero online. The categories include: lifesaving, professional, armed forces, community service, or youth.

Your nomination can be completed online at –

https://www.redcross.org/local/massachusetts/about-us/news-and-events/events/heroes-breakfasts.html

The annual Heroes Breakfast will be held at the following locations in Spring 2020.

Worcester, Massachusetts:

March 24, 2020 at the Beechwood Hotel

Danvers, Massachusetts:

March 26, 2020 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore

Hyannis, Massachusetts:

April 3, 2020 at the Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis

Springfield, Massachusetts

April 9, 2020 at the MGM Springfield

Every day the Red Cross is in the community, assisting people after home fires, educating residents about fire safety, and teaching health and safety classes to help citizens be ready in the event of an emergency. The Red Cross wants to honor those in our community giving of themselves to enrich others.

If you know a local hero, please help the Red Cross honor their efforts.

Red Cross Worker Kyle McWilliam-Lopez Shares His Story Returning from Dorian Response

On Sunday, September 15th, I returned from North Carolina where I supported the people affected by Hurricane Dorian.  When I departed from Massachusetts just a week prior, I had been informed that I would lead a team of Red Crossers in the implementation of a recovery program that offers immediate assistance to households severely affected by the storm.

 

Thank goodness North Carolina had been spared a direct hit from Dorian, but there were still a significant number of families who suffered devastating damage.

I was part of a ten-person recovery casework team that was brought in to implement the Immediate Assistance (IA) Program. IA is a tool designed to assist disaster survivors with financial assistance (a flat rate per household), with a focus on those who were assessed to have damage that qualified as “Major” or “Destroyed.”

 

We had a short window of time, less than a week, to reach as many households as we could with financial assistance, supplies like clean-up kits, and disaster counseling. We primarily focused on deploying casework teams into the four most impacted counties – Brunswick, Dare, Hyde, and Carteret counties.  We had a lot of success reaching people with our assistance in places like Avon and Frisco which are located on the Outer Banks.

I heard more than a few stories from clients who experienced immense loss, and who yet gained some small measure of comfort and hope in the presence of a Red Cross volunteer.  We did not reach everyone last week – that was a tall order – but it’s encouraging to know that the Red Cross regional team in NC remains committed to helping the survivors of Hurricane Dorian.

As the people of North Carolina continue to move into their different phases of recovery, the local Red Cross region will take over pairing families with the resources they need. In those post-disaster times, it’s hard to relay to survivors that the Red Cross responds thanks to volunteers, donors, partners, and countless other helpers. It was humbling to see the work of all of us reflected in the appreciative faces of the people of North Carolina.

Kyle McWilliam-Lopez

Recovery and EMA Relationship Support Specialist

American Red Cross – Massachusetts Region

Runners On A Mission – Team Red Cross and the Boston Marathon

Run With Us

Team Red Cross brings together runners of all ages and abilities in support of the American Red Cross mission. Team Red Cross prepares runners for a successful Boston Marathon while also providing a rewarding charitable giving experience. Each runner agrees to fundraise for the Red Cross to support our mission.

Runner Testimonials from Team Red Cross 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Cross Cape Cod Tornado Response

by Susan Gilbert, American Red Cross

After a series of tornadoes on July 23 left areas of Cape Cod in disarray, and nearly 53,000 people without power, the Red Cross was there to help. Approximately 63 people, including a small number from Metro, were dispatched to provide shelter and nutrition.

“The team did a great job ensuring that the clients’ needs were met despite the very unusual circumstances ̶ three tornadoes in one day, and during the summer when tourists significantly increase the population,” said Disaster Program Manager Larry French.

Lee Gjersten and Brian Michaud served as shelter supervisors, who activated the Harvard Pilgrim shelter team for the first time.
“The shelter was thankfully not busy, despite the many thousands of residents without power.

“The shelter was thankfully not busy, despite the many thousands of residents without power.

It thus provided us an opportunity to activate and work with Harvard Pilgrim employees who had been recently trained in sheltering. I was impressed with all the Harvard Pilgrim workers; they were enthusiastic and eager to do whatever needed to be done, and were interested in learning as much as possible about how Red Cross shelters operate,” said Gjersten.

 

“This shelter was a good example of how the Red Cross partners with others in the community during a disaster. Not just the Harvard Pilgrim team, but also the school staff, local emergency response personnel, law enforcement, and everyone else involved in the sheltering operation. I suspect a lot of people outside the Red Cross don’t realize just how much coordination is necessary to make an emergency shelter work well,” Gjersten added.

Brian Michaud also supervised the Harvard Pilgrim team, providing meals and hydration to the many workers cleaning up the trees and other damage caused by the storm. “We served hundreds of meals and provided water as needed,” said Michaud.

Tornadoes are very rare on Cape Cod. This twister was just the fourth on record to strike the area since 1850, and the first time Cape Cod had more than one tornado in a year.
The tornado’s maximum wind speed was 110 mph, which equates to a strong EF1 tornado, and can cause extremely dangerous and destructive wind gusts. Damage was reported in Brewster, Chatham, Harwich, Hyannis Port, Mashpee, Sandwich and Yarmouth, and the town of Harwich, which sustained the most damage, was declared a state of emergency.

 

MA Region Recognizes Outstanding Volunteer Service with Annual Awards

The American Red Cross honored 17 volunteers from across Massachusetts for their service to local communities and the mission of alleviating human suffering.

Also honored was Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare disaster volunteers for their commitment to make their local community more resilient to disasters.

At the region’s annual meeting in Medford, MA, as well as at a volunteer appreciation event in Worcester, MA, members of the senior leadership staff and the region’s board of directors recognized outstanding achievement by our region’s volunteers.

Holly Grant, the CEO of the Massachusetts region, recognized each of the 17 volunteers and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare with the help of Board Chair John Stadtler.

The honorees are:

Susan Gilbert – Communications Volunteer of the Year

Susan Gilbert edits the monthly Communications newsletter, editing and writing information regarding all departments – Biomedical Services, Development, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services, Disaster Cycle Services, Communications and Marketing, Training Services, as well as regional news. Her articles include such topics as deployments, our Annual Heroes’ breakfasts, the food pantry, and our mentoring program.  

Susan has volunteered with the Red Cross for four years. In addition to her current roles, she has participated in the Home Fire campaign, Sound the Alarm campaign, and written numerous volunteer bios.  

Lexi Ashraf – Youth Programs Volunteer of the Year

Lexi is an outstanding volunteer and a role model for all. She is a rising senior at Wellesley High School where she is the president of her school’s Red Cross Club. Lexi became interested in the Red Cross when she volunteered at the Red Cross Food Pantry in Boston and has expanded her club so that others can have the same experience. Lexi continually involves herself in the Red Cross mission and participated in this year’s Sound the Alarm. Her goal is to continue the club’s growth and lead others to make impacts in their local communities. 

Peter Schubert – Herbert Cook Award

Peter began as a volunteer in early 2017, and now is involved heavily in our Disaster Action Team, taking a few shifts a week. He’s also on the Regional Mass Care Leadership Team, a BioMedical transportation volunteer and part of our Community Disaster Education Team. Because of his love for the Red Cross, and for our volunteers, he also joined our On-Boarding Team, supporting new volunteers during the first months of their time with the American Red Cross. His cheerful attitude and willingness to always support our mission is ever present and a valuable member of our Massachusetts team. 

The Herbert Cook Award recognizes volunteers who demonstrate dedication, skills and excellence in a leadership role through Disaster Services. 

Charlie Vose – The Jerry Tice Award

Charlie Vose has spent his life educating and caring for others with a humanitarian spirit that continues to shine after nearly 40 years of Red Cross service. Charlie was a middle school teach for 34 years, focusing on science and mathematics. He brought his passion for teaching to the Red Cross as well, teaching first aid and CPR to the community. A long-time disaster responder in the Northeast, Charlie served as emergency service director, as well as being a member of the board of directors in the Northeast. He was instrumental in training local school staff in CPR and first aid, knowing its importance when teaching children. 

The Jerry Tice Award recognizes volunteers for education, skills, excellence and service to others through Disaster Services in addition to another area of service.

Regina MacKenzie – Mass Bay Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year

Regina MacKenzie has made a significant impact in the Mass Bay Chapter since her start in 2017. She serves in various capacities in the Boston Metro area, as a Metro 2 DAT responder, a health service team member, deployment coach and as a Boston Marathon medical tent volunteer. Regina has also worked locally with the Home Fire Campaign, installing alarms in Quincy.  

She is known across the Metro area for her willingness to support all functions within disaster services, and her compassion toward clients to ensure their success is incredible.  

Renee Charpentier – Dorothy ‘Dottie’ D’Ambrosio Award

Renee Charpentier began volunteering with the Red Cross in November of 2017, but in that short time she has become an important part of the Metro Disaster Action Teams. Responding to local disasters from Quincy to East Boston, Renee’s leadership role has increased to include working closely with the Disaster Program Manager to ensure adequate Red Cross response to local disasters.  

Renee Charpentier is this year’s recipient of the Dorothy ‘Dottie’ D’Ambrosio Award, given to a volunteer who has shown a compassion for assisting and caring for families following a disaster and demonstrates a passion for mentoring new volunteers. 

Steven Latasa-Nicks   - Cape, Islands and Southeast Massachusetts Chapter Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year

Steven Latasa-Nicks joined the American Red Cross as a CPR instructor to assist in his local community of Provincetown. While conducting his train-the-trainer session at the Hyannis Chapter office, he realized there were other opportunities within the organization. Steven started out as a DAT trainee and worked with Eddy Blanchard to speed through the program. He is now the captain for the Lower Cape and supervises a team of twenty volunteers. Through his efforts and positive spirit, the Red Cross has strengthened its relationships with local fire departments, police and emergency management agencies.  

Steven has been a force, helping to recruit new volunteers to respond to local disasters and emergencies. 

Stephanie Walsh – Chief Executive Officer’s Award

Stephanie Walsh is being honored with the Chief Executive Officer’s Award. Stephanie started as a Disaster Action Team volunteer with the Red Cross. One of her first responses was to the Boston Marathon bombings. Throughout the year following the bombings, she went on to become a DAT captain and assisted a national team in virtually assessing areas impacted by disasters. She also helped create reports for the Region. Through her continued work at the Region, she was nominated to fill the role as Course Medical Coordinator for the Red Cross work with the annual Boston Marathon. 

She graciously accepted this role and has just completed her sixth marathon leading the Course Medical Team. She continues to work full time at MEDITECH, now as a Manager of Corporate Technologies, and is the proud mom of two children.  

David Reed – Northeast Massachusetts Chapter Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year

David Reed joined the Disaster Action Team of the Northeast in September 2017.   His warm and caring personality makes him a perfect caseworker on scene, always meeting client needs with a friendly smile and an encouraging words. He was extremely helpful during the gas explosion in the Merrimack Valley where he worked at the various evacuation centers in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, as well as the Multi-Agency Resource Center. A fluent Spanish speaker, Dave was instrumental during the Sound the Alarm events in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. Dave called and coordinated appointment with Spanish speaking clients to ensure the event was a success.   

Jo Fitzgerald – Volunteer Services Volunteer of the Year

Jo Fitzgerald joined the Red Cross in March of 2017 as a Blood Donor Ambassador and went on to join the Recovery Casework Team and the Regional Volunteer Screening. Jo continues to enjoy her work in all three roles. In the past two years, she has given more than 1,350 hours of her time. She is a valuable and reliable team member, helping onboard and place new volunteers into positions they will enjoy and where their skills are best used. Most notable, Jo was assigned to the Merrimack Valley gas explosion response for 10 days, giving 100 hours of her time. She worked tirelessly to call the increase of new applicants, and place them into meaningful roles. Her efficiency, professionalism, and can-do spirit contribute directly to the success of screening and placement of volunteers in Massachusetts. 

Dorothy Cichonski – Western Massachusetts Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year

Dorothy Cichonski joined the American Red Cross of Western Massachusetts Chapter in 2013.  She quickly became an integral part of the Disaster team, where she stood out as a leader.  Dorothy is a DAT Supervisor, Duty Officer, Pillow Case Project presenter, Home Fire Campaign educator and she coordinates all the community preparedness events in the Western Territory.  She is a wonderful mentor to the trainees assigned to her and can be counted on to run the Disaster office when staff is called away, and is highly respected by her peers for her knowledge of the Western Territory. 

Robert Adamski – Training Services Volunteer of the Year

Robert Adamski is a Volunteer Instructor in Eastern Massachusetts.  He teaches community level and professional level Basic Life Support, First Aid and CPR classes in the American Red Cross Blood Donation facility in Dedham, MA.  He has been a nationally registered paramedic and firefighter for over 20 years.   

 He started volunteering with the Red Cross in Pennsylvania in 1988, and became an instructor in 1993.  Rob has said ‘an instructor can make a real difference in peoples’ lives, can save lives and exponentially increase the acquisition of lifesaving skills across his community.’  He fervently believes in giving something back to your community and helping others. 

Joel Janovsky – Service to the Armed Forces team as the Volunteer of the Year

Joel Janovsky is retired from a 30-year career in information technology in which he held positions in software engineering and project management for a variety of Massachusetts employers, including Biogen, Harvard University, Fidelity Investments, and Iron Mountain. He attended the University of Massachusetts/Amherst where he received an undergraduate degree in computer systems engineering, and he has a graduate degree in computer science from Boston University. Joel served in the Marine Corps during the 1970s in a military police/corrections unit at Camp Pendleton and as a Marine embassy guard in Vienna, Austria.  Joel and his wife Amy are long-time residents of Andover Massachusetts.  

Robert Campbell – Service to the Armed Forces team as the Volunteer of the Year

Robert Campbell is retired from a 30-year career in defense contracting, where he was responsible for contracts valued at about $500 billion at 18 major contract management offices.  He attended the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where he received an undergraduate degree in business management, and he has a graduate degree from the U.S. Naval War College with a in National Security and Strategic Studies.  Bob is a veteran of the U.S. military and currently is working with the American Red Cross to provide service to our military via the military entrance processing stations.  

Leonard Harris – Central Massachusetts Disaster Services Volunteer of the Year

An accomplished Emergency Medical Technician, Leonard Harris joined the Central Massachusetts Disaster Action Team in 2013.  He has been an invaluable member of the team, reliably willing and able to mobilize in support of an incident – whether scheduled to do so or not.  His service to the community includes extensive work with the Home Fire Campaign, and most recently with the team’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with all 62 emergency management departments in Central Massachusetts.   

Jim Niedzolkowski – BioMedical Services Volunteer of the Year

Jim Niedzolkowski has been a positive fixture in Blood Services since 2010. He began working blood drives and quickly took on training new donor ambassadors. New ambassadors described Jim as a person who generated positive energy and enthusiasm for new volunteers. 

Jim went on to join the Donor Recruitment Team, putting up signs for upcoming blood drives around the region. He would also go on to join the Transportation Program, delivering new donations to the Dedham facility for processing. He also helps coordinate vehicle scheduled maintenance for the fleet of transportation vehicles here in Massachusetts. 

With all his volunteerism, Jim’s proudest accomplishment is the 107 times he has donated platelets. 

His nearly 1,000 hours of volunteer service since 2010 shows his commitment to the Red Cross mission. 

Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare – Chandler Blackington Award

What started as a small group of volunteers trained to support local shelters expanded to a much larger group of disaster volunteers. In the past year, the Harvard Pilgrim Team has trained over 50 employees in sheltering, installed smoke alarms and built comfort kits for children. Although the shelter team hasn’t yet been activated, every time there is a significant disaster in Eastern Massachusetts the team reaches out, eager and ready to help. In the meantime, they are eager to continue to train and become more informed on how they can support the American Red Cross and our clients in times of disaster.  

Betsy Eggleston – Boston Food Pantry Volunteer of the Year

Betsy Eggleston has volunteered in the Boston Food Pantry since November 2017. It did not take Betsy long to transition from first-time, Thanksgiving volunteer to core every day volunteer.   

Betsy is a Wednesday morning regular, recording more than 260 volunteer hours this past year. She also volunteers many Thursday mornings, serving income eligible seniors in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Betsy displays a great ability to teach how to use our database and bar-code system to new volunteers just learning. She is the go-to person for the training function because of her abilities, patience, cool-head and trustworthiness.  

The Red Cross has been helping Massachusetts residents for more than 100 years, bringing aid and comfort to those affected by disaster. One of the largest missions of the Red Cross in Massachusetts is the response to homes fires, which affected nearly 700 homes last year. Volunteers respond to assist residents displaced by home fires, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

A Humanitarian Path Discovered in Retirement Through the Red Cross

article by Karuu Kamau, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Ken Boyajian began volunteering with the American Red Cross in November 2018. A recent retiree, Ken was looking to stay busy in retirement, as well as working in his local community. Remembering the recent gas explosions in Lawrence, Ken knew helping with the Sound the Alarm campaign would help families be ready in the event of another local disaster.

 

Question – What region were you volunteering for the Sound the Alarm campaign?

Answer – Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover Massachusetts.

Q – Was this After the gas explosion disaster?

A – Yes, the gas explosion was a year before, last September.

Q – What is your background?

A – I am retired, I retired last July and joined the Red Cross in November

Q – Are you a member of the Disaster Action Team?

A – Yes, it is a team of first responders with the Red Cross, responding to a disaster scene in your local area. You volunteer by registering online and committing 4-to-6 hours, several times per month. In case of a disaster, these team members respond by providing comfort and necessary resources, like finding a hotel, food, clothes – anything to help the victims of the catastrophe until they can recover.

Q – Are most disasters fire related?

A – Yes, most of the tragedies in the area are fires, but in other parts of the U.S., such as the Midwest and Southern States, there are hurricanes, tornadoes, and other major national or regional disasters. I am in the mailing list of those too. They mainly occur in June, July, and August. I help in setting up shelters for the victims, for two weeks at a time.

Q – Is there anything that surprised you, or you unexpectedly encountered during the Sound the Alarm smoke detector installations?

A – Yes, I thought you had to be an electrician to do so, but I learned they were battery powered and not connected to electrical wires. So, you don’t have to be an electrician to do the installations, and it was an easy activity.

Q – What was your assessment of smoke detectors in homes, are there many homes without them?

A – In most instances, the smoke detectors are old and therefore malfunctioning or not working at all. Smoke detectors have a 10-year life span, and therefore, people quickly forget about them. We were, thus, going in and checking if the ones installed are functioning. It was beneficial to many that needed new units. People were very appreciative of the campaign.

Q – What challenges did you encounter doing the installations?

A – It was an easy straight forward process. We were well prepared beforehand, and the campaign was professionally managed

Q – Why do you volunteer?

A – Two reasons: keeps me busy, and I love helping other people. I have made many friends from the Red Cross, and our efforts and contributions are well appreciated. Sound the Alarm was an excellent service that hopefully will prevent significant disasters and unnecessary deaths from fires. I applaud the Red Cross for this service, and I am happy to help.