By: Jacob Bruder, Public Affairs Volunteer
The call to volunteer and help others reaches everyone differently. Zarya Steele, a volunteer with the Disaster Action Team, feels that call every day.
“I grew up volunteering, but we’ve always helped out people in our community.”
Not one to shy away from excitement, Steele focuses her volunteering on disaster work, more specifically as a member of the Disaster Action Team. Members of the DAT serve as first responders and they are the primary Red Cross contact on the site of disasters, most often fire. These volunteers provide comfort, direct assistance, and a friendly face during a significant life event.
An essential role in the disaster response process, but a position that Zarya describes as more about being a friend to someone in need.
“Sometimes I think it’s just having the face of someone who knows, who can help, who can just listen.”
In recent months, hundreds of fire response calls have come to the Red Cross, resulting in dozens of volunteers, like Zarya, responding to help. Whether at ten in the morning or ten at night, Zarya says she is always ready to respond. In late September, Zarya got a call about an apartment fire in Clarkston, Georgia. She coordinated with her team and drove to the site. Once on site, her training and experience took over as she worked to conduct damage assessments and initiate casework for those impacted. Speaking with those affected by the fire, she offered a friendly face to talk to and let them know that she can help them develop a recovery plan.
While a disaster can present responders with numerous challenges, Steele says she has learned to be creative when it comes to solving them. Recalling another fire response, there was a challenge with a language barrier, however, Steele felt prepared to handle the situation. She asked family members to translate and ensured everyone could communicate, getting their questions answered and putting concerns to rest.
Steele credits the Red Cross for the training and support they provide to volunteers. She recommended that those interested in volunteering find a role that fits best for their schedule.
Toward the end of the interview, Steele took a moment to think back on the recent fire response and put into words the impact and feeling of her service in such a purpose-driven organization.
“The Red Cross is different,” she says pausing for a moment, searching for the right words to capture the experience. “It’s a different type of impact. It’s overwhelmingly enriching.” As part of a DAT, Steele sees first-hand what a difference the Red Cross brings to a family. “They know someone is there for them, and to be able to have the resources that the Red Cross provides to help those in need is pretty amazing.”
How do you join the Disaster Action Team?