By Adharsh Kadiresan/American Red Cross

To Dustin McGee, responding to disasters requires a true heart for service.

As an American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer for the North Texas region, he specializes in disaster response, with a background ranging from security guard to athletic trainer to nonprofit founder helping children overcome abuse and bullying.

“I’ve always had the desire to help people,” Dustin McGee said. 

McGee supports the community through a wide range of disasters. From tornadoes and housefires to multi-building fires and even a car crashing into a home, he responds to the call.

“You never know what you’re going to get,” McGee said in reference to his day-to-day work. On some days, he has quieter tasks, like counting supplies in storage rooms or ensuring resources are organized for times of need. 

On other days, McGee is dispatched to fire calls, where the DAT team visits homes to offer assistance. The help provided includes essentials such as hygiene items, financial support for immediate needs or temporary shelter. 

Larger-scale disasters stick with McGee the most.  

He reflected on an apartment fire that led to many people losing their homes. The aftermath of such a disaster required his DAT team to work together seamlessly to connect with residents, coordinate rehousing with apartment managers and provide immediate assistance. 

McGee and the DAT team’s impact transcends the physical role in coordinating services for those affected by emergencies. Beyond logistics, McGee also supports the psychological well-being of those he serves. He said residents are often overwhelmed after these large-scale disasters.  

Residents who experience housefires and tornadoes often lose deeply personal items such as photo albums, important documents, treasured objects and even their sense of security. As a result, those affected often bear heavy feelings such as shock, anger, anxiety, depression and hopelessness. 

Acknowledging this, McGee said he aims to bring as much hope and comfort as he can to impacted residents. He wants, “to bring [them] hope even if it's just a sliver,” and the “hope that things are going to be okay.” He said the residents’ joy makes the role extremely rewarding for him. 

He noted everyone must be dedicated to helping and serving their community, no matter how hard it is.  

“Seeing people at their worst over and over can take a toll [mentally],” he said. But it has also led him to build effective strategies to handle his mental health.  

As disasters continue to affect thousands each year, the resilience of North Texas communities and collaboration with these humanitarian efforts bring stability, compassion and hope to affected residents. It is the commitment of people like McGee that allows communities to recover, rebuild and move forward.