After a home fire displaced the Ferro family in the middle of the night, volunteers from the Disaster Action Team at the Southwest Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross sprang into action. They connected with the family to provide the support and resources commonly deployed by the Red Cross after home fires. This can include emergency assistance like temporary lodging, replaced items and health and mental health services.

Every year the Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters nationwide. Home fires account for most of them. Since January, the Southwest Michigan DAT team has responded to 170 home fires and helped more than 680 people across the chapter, whose office is in Kalamazoo and covers seven surrounding counties.When the worst happens, volunteer Martha Lohrstorfer said, the Red Cross is there to help.

“Our response to help this family and other families in similar situations is what the Red Cross does,” Lohrstorfer said. “We work as a team at all levels to help.”

Lohrstorfer and her husband, John, are part of the Red Cross Integrated Care and Condolence Team (ICCT) and jumpstarted the recovery efforts for the family. The ICCT provides mental health and spiritual support. Other volunteers helped to connect the family with existing resources in the community.

Jordan Kellicut, disaster program manager for the Southwest Michigan Chapter, points out that Red Cross volunteers respond to home fires and other disasters around the clock, every day of the year.

“Our volunteers are there for people. They make sure that families don’t have to face tough times alone,” Kellicut said. “Their dedication to helping others is extraordinary.”Nine months after the fire, the Lohrstorfers are still in contact with the Ferros. It is common practice for Red Cross volunteers and caseworkers to stay in touch with families and individuals impacted by a home fire or other disasters weeks and months later.“

The Red Cross has been a godsend to us at a time when we didn’t have anyone or anything,” said Nick Ferro, who was hospitalized for more than a week from injuries he sustained trying to get his family to safety. Tragically, two young sons passed away.

Ferro said the Red Cross gave him and his family hope. He and his wife, Sheri, recently welcomed a baby boy.  “If it wasn’t for the Red Cross, I doubt we would have survived as long as have so far,” Ferro said.

To Lohrstorfer, this is what helping the community is all about for Red Cross volunteers.“It’s not just about you as a volunteer, it’s about you as a human,” she said. “It is a desire in your heart to be there for people in their darkest hour and to do the next right thing.”

By Alicia Dorr, Regional Communications Manager