On August 28, 2021, Greater Orlando Chapter volunteers John Lanzetti and Tricia Rubino were on State Road 429 in a Red Cross emergency response vehicle (ERV) in route to their Hurricane Ida deployment when they observed a large black plume of smoke. As they got closer, they recognized it was a truck completely engulfed in flames on the shoulder. 

As trained members of the disaster response team, they pulled the ERV over to see if they could assist. As the first help to arrive, they called 911, secured the scene and advised the driver to come with them to remain a safe distance from the burning vehicle. They offered the driver water and snacks they had on-board the ERV and waited with him until first responders arrived.  

When the fire was out, our two-person crew was released from the scene by emergency personnel. They continued their 7-hour drive to Alabama where they would rally with dozens of Red Crossers from across the Southeast in advance of hurricane landfall.