This is a first-hand account of disaster response from Erin Murphy, Communications Specialist for the Mid-Florida Region. We hope to offer many more “Notes from the Field” blogs to give an insider view on what it’s like to be a part of the Red Cross.
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I got the call that we were responding to a multi-unit fire around 9pm…our public relations officer said someone didn’t survive the fire and Red Cross presence was needed. I was a little nervous having never responded to a disaster involving a death, but I told her no problem and that I’d be there. Anxiously, I drove to the office to pick up the camera and tripod so I could document the scene. I dialed a colleague to get some stats on the number of disasters we’ve responded to in the last few days – it feels like we’ve responded to a million. 
We determined we’ve helped individuals at eight separate fires since last week – two within hours of each other on the 27th. I can’t help but feel sadness for all the individuals affected by these terrible situations. In high school I watched my neighbor’s house burn down and like it was yesterday I can still remember that sinking feeling of helplessness as we stood there looking at flames pouring from the roof of the house in disbelief – more than a decade later. That feeling came rushing back as I pulled up to the scene.
There was no more fire by the time I arrived, but that didn’t matter. The physical damage was obvious…and I’m sure for those affected, the emotional damage hadn’t yet sunk in.
Due to the fatality, yellow crime scene tape blocked off a large section of the parking lot, now soaking wet and smelling musty and burnt. The fire truck was there with the lights off but the ladder extended, and several official types wearing hard hats were walking around with firefighters surveying the damage while police looked on (and kept one very watchful eye on the small crowd of onlookers at the yellow tape trying to get a glimpse of the extent of the damage). The humidity was so thick it felt sticky outside like it was an evening in July, not the end of October. Bob Flint, a DAT member and highly dedicated Red Crosser, met me in front of the crime scene tape closest to the main road and escorted me to the room where a fresh team of DAT newbies interviewed clients.
Interestingly enough, he told me that these newbies were so new they literally had their class interrupted to respond to this fire. What a practical way to put their just-learned skills into use! I was happy to hear that little anecdote and proceeded to take their pictures. They were confused about what I was up to. I loved it, though, because they were totally natural and just went with it, no questions asked. I guess at that point nothing was a surprise!
An assignment edictor from WESH called and asked if we could head out to their live truck to speak with Aixa Diaz, a field reporter and weekend anchor, so Bob, Tim Oldham (a fellow Red Cross employee) and I headed out to take questions from them (and subsequently other media). I love having the volunteer talk to them – it is so meaningful to hear the story from a man who has responded to more than one disaster in a three-day span. Bob, being the seasoned professional that he is, marched right up to the news van, knocked on the window and said “I heard you wanted to speak with us?” He then explained that about nine people were affected by the fire, and that we had four open cases, giving a few details about how we are providing them with shelter and pre-paid client assistance cards, and that we will continue to evaluate their needs. We repeated the process with WKMG (Channel 6) and WFTV (Channel 9).
Mad respect for Bob. He seamlessly transitioned from teacher to supervisor to public affairs rep. Not everyone could handle this type of situation with such ease and fluidity.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to go out on this call. I’ve been working for the Red Cross for more than a year, and I feel like I learned so much more about the Red Cross and our volunteers than I ever have sitting at my desk in front of my computer – my comfort zone. Feels good to get out there and see the relief on the face of a victim when a kind-hearted Red Cross volunteer puts a hand on their shoulder and says, “Hey – we’re here for you.”
So happy to be part of an organization as wonderful as the Red Cross, and so proud to know volunteers who give their time, talent and efforts so selflessly on our behalf.
