A volunteering experience on a National Disaster
American Red Cross Disaster Action Team
If you are like me, I always have an interest in the post-disaster affects on a community. I myself have been involved in helping victims of disasters numerous times. I was a volunteer for my local American Red Cross Disaster Action Team. I have helped victims of mostly housefires in the local area. Our team would actually be dispatched to the scene by request of the fire chief. We were with the victims as the disaster occured and we would simply help them to secure shelter, food, and clothing immediately. We would then meet up with them the next day if our services were needed further, or perhaps refer them to the local chapter.There was a time whereas I had the opportunity to work on what is called a National Disaster. This is a disaster of such magnitude that a State-of-Emergency had been called by the Governor or the president. When working on a National Disaster, you live on scene for a minimum of two weeks. It is this type of volunteer work that you get fully immersed in the disaster and it’s affect on the community. This type of volunteer work is the hardest to be a part of and to be able to work the long 16 hour days. The one National Disaster that I was involved in, my chairman and I was first on the scene. It was in New Jersey and many towns had been flooded by the Atlantic Ocean and some surrounding bays. We had our work cut out for us, much of the scene was still under five foot of water.
