Story told by Kathy Stewart 

The Red Cross is there when disaster strikes, from weather-related events such as hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes, to home fires, which are so dangerous in the U.S., that they claim seven lives per day.  

When a fatality occurs, trained disaster health care volunteers like Bill Griffith step in once initial urgent needs such as safe shelter, food, first aid and relief supplies are met. Usually after time, the family is better able to discuss fatality-related issues. 

Griffith is part of the Integrated Condolence Care Team (ICCT), which offers a comprehensive approach to dealing with loss in a family’s recovery. This team’s focus is to maximize care, comfort, and support, whatever form that support takes. The Red Cross offers training specifically geared toward ICCT members.  

“ICCT gets into a lot of not only the logistics of how do you support, but it also gets a lot into the emotional impacts,” said Griffith. “How do you approach somebody who has lost a loved one with the type of compassion and support that they can find really helpful?”  

Often working concurrently with others providing material needs, Griffith provides spiritual and emotional comfort to disaster-affected individuals, families and communities.  

“If there’s a fatality, there’s naturally going to be a lot of emotional impact, so our emphasis early on is, do they need a little extra spiritual support,” said Griffith on how he assesses ways the Red Cross can help people dealing with tragic loss. “If they’re not spiritually oriented, some psychological support.” 

Along with the emotional impact, often there are tangible needs when a fatality occurs. According to Griffith, the impact on a family’s financial situation is a real, pressing need as they cope with loss. Financial assistance provided by the Red Cross can make an impact on the ability to at offset some of the costs associated with the death of a loved one.  

“Part of what I like is that I know that there is a lot I can offer [to a family],” said Griffith who often calls upon his experience throughout his career as a physician. “It’s not the easiest thing that you’ll do, but it can be extremely rewarding; being able to work with someone who has lost something, and hearing the gratitude, the feeling that ‘Somebody cares for me’ and that they’re not alone – that’s why health services people get into health careers in the first place.”  

Join the American Red Cross as a volunteer. Visit RedCross.org/volunteer