Written by Niamh Larkin

When the phone rings, you go where you’re needed and help where you can. That’s the mindset of Randy Barkley, an American Red Cross volunteer since 1994. 

Barkley served in the U.S. Army for 31 years. Before retiring in 2000, he started volunteering with the Red Cross in Tallahassee, Florida. He found himself in a red vest in New York City on September 12, 2001, helping with logistics efforts in the aftermath of the attack on the Twin Towers.

“I was there for six months. I was there until the last piece of gravel was picked up.”

As we watched the safety and security of our nation change in an instant, Barkley says he knew he would be called to help, but what his role would be was yet to be determined. The chapter manager called him as the news of the attack was unfolding. He just knew he had to answer the call to go to Ground Zero.

For six months, seven days a week, Barkley, along with his fellow Red Crossers from across the world, helped hand out supplies to first responders combing through debris and wreckage.

“We started with about 200 local volunteers, and then it just grew from there. People from all other countries were there helping.”

In total, 6,000 Red Cross volunteers were activated in the immediate wake of the tragedy.

Across the city, Barkley’s team assisted the fire departments, police departments, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI agents, to name a few.

“We even had to find booties for the dogs, because the ground was still burning, and it was burning their paws.”

Now serving as the Community Disaster Program Specialist for the Capital Area Chapter in North & Central Florida, Barkley devotes his days to responding to home fires, connecting with local emergency managers, and training volunteers ahead of any local disasters. He most recently deployed as a shelter resident transition service associate during the Spokane wildfires in August 2026.

Reflecting on the last 25 years, Barkley says he looks back on his deployment to New York City with a sense of comfort in hindsight.

“It’s amazing what people can do when they come together and lean on one another. The nation really came together.”

Randy’s name can be found at the 9/11 Memorial on a list honoring first responders and volunteers who immediately deployed to the city following the attacks.