04Oct

Salida Red Cross Volunteers Shine During Their Own Evacuation

by: cowyredcross Disaster Response‚ Power of Volunteers‚ Southeastern Colorado Comment off
Salida residents, neighbors, and fellow evacuees of the Decker Fire, all serve as Red Cross volunteers during their own evacuation. Left to right, Ruth and Gregg Phillips, Donna and John Rhoads. Photo Credit Kate Walters/ American Red Cross Volunteer

Story by Kate Walters and Beth LaBella/ American Red Cross Volunteers

When evacuations orders came in during the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday, October 2, after the Decker Fire threatened their homes, longtime Salida, Colorado residents knew the Red Cross would be there to provide immediate shelter and comfort. They knew because they are Red Cross volunteers themselves.

As evacuees and Red Cross volunteers, Ruth and Gregg Phillips attend an incident command briefing held at the evacuation center to learn about the wellbeing of their property. Photo credit Kate Walters/ American Red Cross Volunteer

Donna Rhoads has been a Water Safety Instructor and Trainer (WSIT) with the Red Cross for over 30 years. Her next-door neighbors and friends, Gregg and Ruth Philips have been responding to disasters for five years. On the morning they were called to evacuate their homes, they found themselves on the other side of giving, seeking shelter rather than providing assistance. Having been in the Red Cross service mindset for many years, they never expected they would otherwise be volunteering and supporting others at the very shelter that could be taking care of them as evacuees.

Red Cross volunteer Ruth Phillips attends to the needs of fellow evacuees at the evacuation center at the Salida United Methodist Church. Photo credit Kate Walters/ American Red Cross Volunteer

No one was surprised when these evacuees jumped in to help others at the evacuation center, even while experiencing their own personal struggle; and that is exactly what they did. Greg chuckled, “I’ll be back to help tomorrow. At least I don’t have to figure out what to wear. These are the only clothes I have right now.”

Red Cross volunteer Gregg Phillips helps move pet supplies for the Ark-Valley Humane Society who is providing comfort and support for the pets belonging to those who have evacuated due to the Decker Fire. Photo credit Kate Walters/ American Red Cross Volunteer

For her part, Donna teaches people how to protect lives in the world of water safety. When asked if she’d ever saved a life she said, “We save lives every day by teaching”.  

Donna Rhoads (R), Red Cross Volunteer, Water Safety Instructor and Trainer shares her evacuation story with evacuation shelter manager and health services volunteer Elizabeth Ritchie. Photo credit Kate Walters/ American Red Cross Volunteer

In the midst of their uncertainty, we see true dedication to the Red Cross mission to help prevent and alleviate human suffering as these true humanitarians give back by volunteering and bringing comfort to their fellow neighbors in their time of need.