On June 20, 2021, Melbourne resident Tom Bridgeman went through one of the worst days of his life. A fire had ravaged his home while he was away.
He recalls the moment in vivid detail. “When I came home at about 9:30pm that night, the bedroom windows were blackened out. There was the smell of smoke as I got out of the car. I could barely see through the house. I slowly opened the door and there was smoke in the bedroom, smoke throughout the house, soot throughout the house.”
He later learned a rechargeable battery in a laptop had ignited, causing the fire.
Knowing it could have been a lot worse -- that he or a loved one could have lost more than their possessions -- he recognized he was very lucky.
After confirming the fire was out, Brevard County Fire Rescue encouraged Tom to call the American Red Cross for help, which he did the following day.
“It was really nice that the Red Cross showed up so quickly, and provided a lot of telephone support and listened to us,” he said, noting the ability to talk through the situation with someone who understood was extremely helpful.
Brevard County Fire Rescue Chief Mike Schollmeyer helped explain the relationship between the fire department and the Red Cross after a fire.
“When the fire department gets on scene of a fire, it is usually the worst day of somebody’s life,” he said. “People lose their possessions, God forbid they lose a family pet, their home is destroyed. They don’t know what to do, they don’t know where to turn.” That’s where the Red Cross comes in.
After a home fire, Red Cross volunteers connect with families for needs like emergency lodging, financial assistance and emotional support. Thanks to donations, those services are free and available for all those in need after a disaster.
To help neighbors like Tom, make a financial donation or become a volunteer at redcross.org.