By Pat Kondas, American Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer
When disaster strikes – anywhere – American Red Cross of Wyoming volunteers are ready to respond. And although responding to disasters during COVID-19 is particularly challenging, two Wyoming volunteers recently accepted the challenge: Monica Cook deployed to Lake Charles, LA as an Emergency Response Vehicle Coordinator; and Sylvia Raumaker deployed to Houston, TX, and Corpus Christie, TX as part of a Shelter Strike Team.
Cook, originally from Seattle and now from Evansville, WY. is the Lead Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Coordinator for the Wyoming Chapter. In Lake Charles, she became the Kitchen Administrator, coordinating the 10 ERVs’ schedules and setting their routes for the mobile feeding and fixed feeding sites. The kitchens prepared about 6,000 meals each day that had to be delivered. In between administrative duties, she learned about the other aspects of the operation, including helping the “yard dogs,” the volunteers who loaded meals into the ERVs and made sure the ERVs had all the supplies needed for the day. Cook said the most challenging part of the deployment was having to wear a mask all day, even when temperatures were 93 – 95 degrees and the heat index could get to 110 degrees. But she said, “The best part was watching the community recover.” Driving to and from work, they could see a “sea of blue roofs,” as people covered damaged roofs with tarps. But everywhere “people were picking up debris, the power company was putting up poles and there were more and more people in grocery stores.” And everywhere they went, they got thanked by members in the community. Cook said that was the best part of the deployment.
Raumaker, from Hoback, WY, has deployed about 25 times in her six years as a Red Cross volunteer. Currently, she is a Shelter Strike Team member, deploying to set up and manage shelters – a difficult job in any disaster, but especially hard within the complex COVID-19 protocols required by Red Cross. In Corpus Christie, Raumaker’s team was responsible for 26 clients set up in hotel rooms in a non-congregate shelter situation. Their clients had been living in their boats in the harbor when the storm hit, sinking several boats and damaging others. Raumaker said people were very cooperative and agreeable about using masks and following rules like having their temperatures taken often. But she said the hardest part was maintaining the social distance required by the protocols while delivering meals and other services to the clients. The most rewarding part for her was how those affected could keep their positive attitude. She said, “It’s amazing how strong our clients are. They’ve been through so much and are still determined. I have such respect for them.” Raumaker said working with the trained strike team made it a good experience. With everyone knowing what to do and working together, it made for a very efficient operation.
No matter where disaster strikes, Wyoming volunteers are ready to deploy, both physically and virtually. The need for volunteers is great. Those interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer can get more information HERE.