By Yzeppa Macias, American Red Cross Public Affairs
The American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado is partnering with Wet Mountain Fire Department in Custer County, Colorado.
The fire department currently works with volunteers from the community who are trained to help respond to a multitude of disasters and emergencies during all seasons within a nearly 650-mile radius.
Beatriz Portillo, Disaster Program Specialist of Red Cross said, “this gives us a chance to be out in the community.” Fire departments in some counties will call the Red Cross answering service directly to inform them of a fire, how many people have been affected and what actions need to be taken. “It’s important for communities to know what these volunteer fire departments are doing,” Portillo said.
Chief Matthew Nolting of the Wet Mountain Fire Protection Program said, “I intend on using them [Red Cross] for shelters for our big emergencies.” Once partnered with Red Cross, fire departments can share resources with those enduring a catastrophe. “Wet Mountain Fire Department is now giving out information to anyone who suffers from a house fire so they can get the proper help,” Nolting said of the partnership.
There are currently 32 volunteer fire fighters in the area of Custer County as well as seven volunteers who Nolting said are members of the community whose work ties them to incident management organizations and will be able to help when it comes to extreme incidents.
“If anybody wants to come help with the program, they are more than welcome to,” Nolting said. Those who volunteer with the program go through a six-month training probationary period where they are trained through the National Incident Management System to understand the basic knowledge of how to communicate with other agencies as well as structural firefighting, car fires, wildland firefighting and hazmat awareness.
“We train them up to standards and they’re expected to work as fully functioning firefighters after that six-month probation,” Nolting said of anyone who has undergone the training. Once their training is complete, they will help respond to emergencies ranging from home fires to vehicle accidents and even ice recovery in the winter periods.
Through partnering with Wet Mountain Fire Department, Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT), volunteers will be called out to house fires and help provide resources, referrals, comfort kits, blankets and financial assistance. In addition to DAT and the Fire Department working closely together, Red Cross will provide smoke alarms to be installed in residents’ homes.
While establishing long term relationships with local fire departments Red Cross can aid organizations and communities in disaster preparedness with the help of DAT and through programs designed for adults and children such as Be Red Cross Ready, Prepare with Pedro and The Pillowcase Projects. These programs help prepare students, teachers and residents of all ages to better prepare for natural disasters and home fires, instilling emotional coping skills and personal preparedness.
Interested in working with local fire departments and helping those impacted by home fires? Visit RedCross.org to become a volunteer.