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| Volunteer Sue Wiseman (left) loads a food cambro on the ERV with the help of ERV partner Lew Savik from Montana Red Cross. |
Red Cross volunteers are working hard in east Washington as they support the relief efforts for the East Washington Wildfires. Sue Wiseman, from the Western Colorado Chapter, was deployed to be part of the Mass Care team and is a driver for the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV).
The ERV is used to deliver supplies, water, food and recovery items to people affected by the fires. “We call the ERV “Hope on Wheels”,” said Wiseman. “Bringing help and hope is what the Red Cross is all about.”
Sue has been a Red Cross disaster responder for many years and the Washington assignment is her ninth large scale disaster response. She knows she is making a difference in the lives of those affected by the wildfires. “You can see relief in their eyes when we pull up with a hot meal and a warm hug,” she said.
Since the start of the Red Cross response, workers have provided more than 300 overnight shelter stays; 13,000 meals and snacks and 540 health and mental health services in the community. More than 225 Red Cross disaster responders from throughout Washington and across the country are in Washington to support the wildfire disaster operation.
When asked how long she intended to stay Wiseman said, “I am here to help, however long that takes.”