By Abby Boudreau, Red Cross intern
Paul Miller, a Red Cross volunteer from Maine, recently deployed to Los Angeles with the Red Cross to help those affected by the recent wildfires.
“My job is disaster spiritual care, so I try to give them some encouragement, if they’re distraught or out of it, calm them down, talk to them gently, and hopefully they could continue to do what they needed to do that day.”
Paul spent some of his deployment at the UCLA recovery center, which was the biggest center in the area. He was set-up at the preregistration station, and his job was to comfort and encourage those who were coming into the center. Disaster spiritual care at the Red Cross can look different depending on the needs of the survivor. He described his experience with one couple at the center.
“The woman was completely distraught, confused, and didn’t want to be there,” Paul said.
He explained that this was how many of the disaster survivors arrived: full of conflicting emotions and confusion, and often unable to stay calm. The recovery center was loud, so Paul encouraged this couple to come with him to the quiet room that was available.
“I spent probably 20-30 minutes with them, just talking to her, calming her down, then she started laughing, and everything changed. By the time she left, she was smiling a little bit,” he said.
After a major disaster, it can be hard to find moments of comfort and happiness, and it is because of volunteers, like Paul, that some survivors are able to find that moment.
“My goal when I left, was to try to encourage anybody I came in contact with to have hope for the future, and go from there, see what happens day-by-day.”
In addition to his work at the recovery centers, Paul and his partner also went to the Eaton checkpoint where displaced residents were being allowed back to their properties. He recalled tragic stories of Californians burying the ashes of their loved ones or digging for important missing items. But he also shared stories of hope.
“One woman came up to us so excited because she had found her engagement ring,” he said.
When recalling these memorable moments, Paul acknowledged that although he may not be able to change the circumstances for these people, he can still provide critical comfort.
“All we can really do is be there for them,” he said.
And sometimes that support makes all the difference after a major disaster such as the Los Angeles fires.
“I cannot tell you how many people said thank you, I really couldn’t,” Paul said. “It was very rewarding, and I’m still recovering,” he said with a laugh.
Paul, a chaplain for the Brewer American Legion and the Bangor VA, got involved with Red Cross after volunteers visited the legion. The volunteers recognized that Paul’s background would make him a perfect for the spiritual care team. He soon began his work with the Red Cross. Los Angeles was his second deployment, after deploying to North Carolina with the Red Cross sheltering team after Hurricane Helene last fall.
Paul emphasized how easy it can be to get involved – and he encouraged anyone who may be interested in a rewarding volunteer position to reach out to the local Red Cross.
“People don’t realize, there’s lots of different things volunteers can do with Red Cross, it’s not just deployments.”
It is because of volunteers, like Paul, that the Red Cross is able to carry out its mission. In fact, 90% of the Red Cross workforce are volunteers. Volunteerism isn’t just an action; it’s a movement that unites communities and drives meaningful change. The Red Cross has volunteer opportunities to meet a variety of interests, backgrounds and skill levels. For more information on available positions near you, visit www.redcross.org/VolunteerNNE.
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