As people return to their Spokane neighborhoods, the American Red Cross is there, working with fire departments and other partners to be present at the re-entry points to distribute emergency supplies.

Wildfires are their own emergency, calling for unique items people need as they return home. Realizing this, the Red Cross has been shipping in trailers filled with supplies for special wildfire kits. The large plastic containers are filled with safety equipment including eye drops, work gloves, Tyvek suits, safety goggles, shoe covers, N95 masks, hand sanitizer – all of which can be stored and disposed of in the plastic containers after they have been used and contaminated with burn residue. The kits also include sifters to help salvage heirlooms or other items from the ash where their homes were burned. Shelf-stable self-heating meals, waters and snacks are also part of the kits.

The kits are assembled at the disaster warehouse set up in Airway Heights, Washington. There, these emergency supplies are loaded onto Red Cross vehicles and the teams on board head out to distribute these relief supplies.

It takes a lot of people to bring these supplies to those who need them. From those who load and unload the trailers, to those who pack the totes, to those who load everything up and those who deliver the kits, everyone does their part.

PART OF THE BIG PROGRAM Volunteer Teresa Doherty is giving her time in the warehouse, moving pallets of supplies to where they are packed into the totes. She has traveled across the country from Syracuse, NY, to Spokane. She began volunteering during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and enjoys working in the warehouse when helping with Red Cross disaster relief operations. “I like the physical activity of the warehouse. I’m just playing a part in the big program. You have to like physical activity, but it’s a good gig,” she said.

RECALLS LA WILDFIRES Chris Gallegos has been a Red Cross volunteer for more than a year. A resident of Denver, CO, he grew up in Altadena, CA, an area devastated by the LA wildfires in 2025. He began to volunteer after hearing about how the Red Cross helped during those fires. “When the fires happened, over two dozen of my family and friends lost their houses. And of all the people that were helping, Red Cross came through with flying colors. I heard nothing but great things from all my people about the Red Cross. And I said, that’s the organization for me.” He is part of the team packing and distributing the wildfire kits.

ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES Aly Young moved to Spokane a year ago and evacuated with her two dogs when the fires began. She signed up to volunteer with the Red Cross a couple days later and is helping with the wildfire kits. “I want to get involved as much as possible since I was thankfully one of the lucky ones that still has a home, still has everything. I’m just doing my part, doing whatever I can,” she said. The fact that Red Crossers have come to help from all over the United States amazes Aly. “Seeing that all these people came from all over the country to help just means so much to me,” she said. “It’s just incredible. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s mind-blowing, the turnout for Spokane.”

ONE DAY AT A TIME Christopher Howard has also been volunteering at the disaster warehouse in Airway Heights. He is from Post Falls, ID, less than thirty miles from Spokane, and has been volunteering on and off with the Red Cross for more than a decade. “I‘ve got friends all over this area. I live on the Idaho side, but I know tons of people with my company, people I work with in other volunteer organizations. There are countless people displaced, they can’t go home. So, I’m just doing what I can. It’s tough, you just do your job and try not to think about it. One day at a time.”

FIRST TIME DEPLOYED It's the first time deployed for Jomol Peter, a volunteer from New City, NY. Jomol has been delivering wildfire kits to organizations like Latinos En Spokane to reach people who may not already have connected with the Red Cross for help after the wildfires. “I feel good helping people. My heart is broken seeing all this disaster, hearing people’s stories about what they experienced and what they are still experiencing,” Jomol said. “People say they saw their house blown up, showed us pictures. I am so happy to be out here doing what I can to help them start to get their lives back.”

JOIN US Today, volunteers are more critical than ever as the Red Cross responds to a new major disaster about every two weeks. Consider putting on a red vest and joining our remarkable volunteers. We offer volunteer opportunities that satisfy a wide range of interests and time commitment. Those who are interested in getting trained to volunteer should contact their local chapter or visit redcross.org/volunteer.