By Kate Walters, American Red Cross

As wildfire season approaches, preparedness starts long before smoke is in the air. It starts with relationships, planning and the community partners who know how to come together when people need help

That spirit was on display this week at the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (OEM), where the Mayor's Fellowship Group in Colorado Springs joined first responders, emergency managers and local partners for a hands-on look at how the Pikes Peak region prepares for disasters. 

The group toured the Emergency Coordination Center, learned about regional emergency management planning and explored how the Community Services Section coordinates support for people and animals during emergencies.

A key part of that work is Pikes Peak VOAD, a network of nonprofit, faith-based, community and private-sector organizations that work together before, during and after disasters. Rather than responding separately, partners share information, coordinate resources, identify unmet needs and help ensure services are not duplicated.

For the American Red Cross, this kind of collaboration is essential. No one organization can meet every need after a disaster, but together, partners can help make sure individuals and families receive the support they need.

Red Cross volunteers from Southern Colorado were proud to demonstrate what emergency sheltering can look like; shared the equipment carried in an emergency response vehicle; and talked about the role Red Cross plays in providing shelter, food, relief supplies, health services, emotional support and recovery assistance after disasters.

To help visitors picture what a Red Cross shelter looks like, volunteers set up six cots complete with blankets and comfort kits — offering a simple but meaningful glimpse of the safe place, rest and support available to people displaced by disaster.

"For our Red Crossers, opportunities like this give us a chance to come out, practice what we do and stay ready for the moments when our community needs us most," said Rich Garcia, Red Cross mass care lead volunteer. "For the visitors, it offers a real look at what the Red Cross has to offer — and how we work alongside our community partners to help people after a disaster."

Partners from The Salvation Army also brought their emergency disaster services canteen and shared how their teams provide meals and other support during disasters — often working side by side with the Red Cross and other local organizations. Their canteen is a mobile commercial kitchen designed to get food to people affected by emergencies.

"The Salvation Army is known for feeding, and that's one of the ways we work closely with our friends at the American Red Cross," a Salvation Army representative explained. "When disaster affects a community, a hot meal can make a real difference. Our canteens help us bring food and drinks directly to people affected by disaster, as well as first responders and volunteers helping them."

Events like this are a reminder that disaster response is never a one-organization job. It takes emergency managers, first responders, voluntary organizations, community partners and dedicated volunteers — all working together before the next emergency happens.

Thank you to Pikes Peak Regional OEM, Pikes Peak VOAD, The Salvation Army, El Paso County Hazardous Materials Team members, Red Cross volunteers and every partner who helped make the day possible.

A special thank you to Mile High Chapter volunteers Jim Granath and Sheila Brillhart, who drove the emergency response vehicle to the event, as well as local mass care volunteers Jim Street, Jim Boardman, Curtis Jack, Cora Davis, Clark Buck and Rich Garcia for helping bring the Red Cross mission to life.

For more information on how you can get involved and support Colorado or Wyoming VOAD organizations, visit CoVoad.org or WyVoad.org.