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Red Cross seeks disaster volunteers

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

An American Red Cross Disaster Action Team van sits at the ready near the South Central Wisconsin Red Cross office in Janesville. The Red Cross has 15 disaster team members in Rock County and is actively seeking more.

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JANESVILLE — Kate Hoesly has never left a disaster scene without first getting a hug.

"They (disaster victims) are so grateful they're being comforted by someone, and that someone cares,'' said Hoesly, a local American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer.

Hoesly, 51, of Janesville is one of 15 active DAT volunteers in Rock County.

More volunteers always are needed, and that's why the Red Cross is actively recruiting disaster responders in Rock County, said Annie Taff, regional DAT coordinator.

"We are looking to double the amount of volunteers enrolled in the Rock County DAT program so we have that pool of more people responding in groups of two, three and four," she said. "You never want a volunteer agency like the Red Cross to burn out, so we want a good cadre of people to respond."

Rock County DAT volunteers responded to 26 incidents in 2010—primarily single and multi-unit fires. In those instances, they helped 142 people.

Volunteer responders provide emergency assistance ranging from shelter to food, clothing, medical needs and crisis counseling for those affected by disaster, Taff said.

Basic DAT training totals 25 hours. Most of that will be offered at a regional training conference for statewide Red Cross volunteers April 7-10 in Madison, Taff said.

Full DAT training is an additional 25 hours, she said.

Training doesn't have to happen all at once, Taff said. That flexibility is one of the tings Hoesly likes.

"The biggest appeal of the American Red Cross is there is no set times," she said. "I'm on my own time limits except for the disaster assistance (responses)."

Hoesly estimates she devotes anywhere from one to 40 hours a month to the Red Cross.

"Some cases are quick responses to people not able to live in their houses after the electricity has been shut off, where I spend one hour to 90 minutes," she said. "(That ranges) all the way to a fatal fire where I'm on the scene for up to seven hours to help family members cope and assess their needs.''

Hoesly said helping people is rewarding, and it's what she likes most about being a DAT volunteer.

"I love knowing we're there to help, (to let people) know they're not alone and that they have a shoulder to cry on,'' she said.

Dean becomes disaster partner

Dean Clinic has committed $100,5000 in the next three years to become a lead disaster partner with the American Red Cross.

In doing so, Dean joins 15 other local disaster partners, according to an American Red Cross Badger Region press release.

The contribution will provide immediate assistance to those affected by disaster and training for Disaster Action Team volunteers, the release said.

In the past year, the American Red Cross Badger and South Central Wisconsin Region mobilized 450 volunteers to help 624 people who were victims of disaster in Rock, Green, Jefferson, Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Grant, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Richland and Sauk counties, the release said.

Along with providing shelter, food and emotional support to disaster victims, the American Red Cross supplies nearly half of the nation's blood, teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families.