Field Training: Preparing Volunteers for the Next Disaster

 By Dan Dowling, Regional Communications Manager

When historic flooding hit parts of central Vermont in July, American Red Cross volunteers from all over the United States deployed to the state to help those in need. Red Crossers, who were already living in Vermont, used the flooding response to train for future disasters, while helping their local communities at the same time.

Angie Robinson, a Vermonter and Disaster Action Team leader, participated in the "training-to-mission" exercise. Robinson typically responds to house fires in northwestern Vermont. She works on a team with her husband to provide care and comfort to those affected by home fires. 

“We decided we wanted to do something together after we retired. They needed to have a Disaster Action Team in Grand Isle County because they didn't have one. And we have been doing it ever since," Robinson explained.

In 2017, Robinson and her husband were deployed to assist with the California wildfires in Mill Valley. 

“We enjoyed it, though we learned a lot. We really did. That was a big thing,” she said. 

The couple has also helped run shelters in Swanton and Milton, Vermont during windstorms and ice jam flooding.

Erica Fuller, the Senior Regional Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager saw the Vermont flooding as a way to give local volunteers an opportunity to learn more about disaster training in the field, without having to leave their home state. 

“We decided that it would make sense for us to use this as an opportunity to build capacity. It was a chance to train local volunteers who maybe haven't done sheltering before; haven't done distribution of emergency supplies before; haven't supported logistics and offer them some training opportunities -- and get them out in the field supporting their local community.”

A cohort of about seven volunteers spent an afternoon and overnight at a staff shelter in Williston. They got a crash course in Red Cross disaster response. The following day, they broke off into smaller groups and were assigned to various projects to help meet the immediate needs of flooding survivors around the state.

Robinson and several other volunteers found themselves helping out at the Onion River Campground in Marshfield. 

“The bridge just collapsed and they were really stranded there. When we got there, the path was pretty bad. There was no way a van could get down there and not get stuck. It was very muddy,” said Robinson.

She and the other volunteers were able to maneuver a Jeep through the deep mud to deliver critical supplies to the residents. 

“We loaded up the Jeep and kept making treks down there. Some of us would walk. We made the trip a few times and got everything down there,” said Robinson.

Fuller stressed the importance of having local, field-trained volunteer at the ready.

“It's going to be our local resources supporting the next steps,” she said. “The Red Cross is continuing to engage local community volunteers. They are becoming essential as we move forward. Slowly as the critical needs of Vermonters are met, the national disaster response will transition back to the local Red Cross team. We will be ready.”

A community disaster requires a community response. Fuller encourages Vermonters to consider joining the Red Cross volunteer team. Sharing your time and talent as a disaster responder is a hands-on way to ensure your community is best prepared for its next emergency.

“As we continue to see the progress volunteers are making on the ground every day, we are confident recovery is moving in the right direction. But now is the time to get involved. Get signed up, get trained so that when the next disaster happens, we are ready and we have that ability to respond quickly,” urged Fuller.

“I really, really enjoy helping these people on the worst day of their lives. Knowing that you are providing that care and comfort is beyond rewarding,” said Robinson. 

Trained and available, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers stand ready to respond to emergencies in their communities. From offering a shoulder to cry on, to meeting the immediate needs for shelter, food and supplies, and connecting people with long term recovery resources, our volunteers ensure that families don’t have to face tough times alone. 

For more information on becoming a Disaster Action Team volunteer, visit redcross.org.