Red Cross Volunteers Share In Joy and Relief of 'Mining Miracle'

July 29, 2002 — Supporting the needs of families during and after emergencies is nothing new to the American Red Cross. Neither is the raw pain and devastation caused by disasters. Last weekend, however, a few Pennsylvania Red Cross volunteers were able to share in the joy of family members, an opportunity and privilege they say they will never forget.

Days ago, Red Cross volunteers rushed to the scene to support emergency workers and the families of nine miners trapped inside Quecreek mine in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Coordinated by the local Red Cross Keystone Chapter, the volunteers traveled from six surrounding Red Cross chapters, and worked around the clock to distribute meals and drinks to hundreds of emergency workers, family members and volunteers. About 20 Red Cross volunteers trained in Disaster Mental Health counseled hundreds of family members and friends who gathered day and night at a nearby fire hall to await updates.

Red Cross Disaster Mental Health volunteers are licensed mental health experts who are trained in the field of what the Red Cross terms 'emotional first aid', providing for the often-overlooked but critically important immediate and ongoing mental health needs of those affected the emotional trauma of a disaster.

In the mining emergency, the role of the Red Cross Mental Health team was to provide a calm presence to offset the rollercoaster ride of events and emotions. They helped in any way needed, by fetching a cup of coffee, applying a band-aid to a cut finger or lending an understanding ear and a shoulder to lean on for the families and friends of the miners as they sorted through their thoughts.

"We listen to families and get to know how they need us - sometimes it's just for support," said 15-year Red Cross veteran and Disaster Mental Health volunteer Elena Sillman. Sillman said that in this case, "their strong faith, the unwavering presence of extended family and friends, and their self-reliance was indeed important and helpful."

Red Cross volunteers are often encouraged by the strength of families facing hardship, but the situation in Somerset was especially inspiring to them.

"Families never lost their resolve, "said Dave Markley, a local Red Cross Mental Health volunteer who also helped in the Red Cross response to September 11th's Flight 93 in nearby Shanksville. "Families remained optimistic the entire way through. They are a close-knit community and they relied on each other. Teamwork brought them through."

Part of the role of the American Red Cross is to prepare for a worst-case scenario and local Red Cross officials did just that in the days after the miners became trapped. Red Cross officials knew that the kind of support required may differ depending on the outcome of rescue efforts. So, despite continued optimism from emergency workers and the families, Red Cross officials secured more Mental Health Volunteers on stand-by status and briefed them on what they could expect if the outcome was not favorable.

"We had folks by the phones waiting for our call. We were prepared," said Georgia Layman, Emergency Director for the local Keystone Red Cross chapter. Fortunately, incoming mental health Volunteers had the opportunity to share in a celebration, something they had hoped for all along.

Markley said he was thankful to have been there at precisely the moment the families heard that the nine miners were alive. "It was pure jubilation - a party in there! " he said. "I wouldn't have missed this for anything."

Red Cross Mental Health volunteer Glenda Buttons, who was on the scene since day one, stayed on with the families at the fire hall until the crowd dissipated in the early morning hours. She also ensured Red Cross volunteers were stationed at nearby hospitals with families, just in case.

Of the hundreds of people who had spent several sleepless nights and long days at the fire hall for over 80 hours last week, about 125 were still gathered at the fire hall at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, watching television news reports showing rescue efforts that were happening just three miles up the road. As the ninth and final miner was pulled safely to the surface, the Sipesville fire hall's whistle sounded, alerting the entire Somerset community of the news while the crowd erupted in cheers, clapping and hugging each other.

With tears in their eyes, the Red Cross volunteers joined families and friends in the celebration. "Now we can finally sleep well," they said.