Volunteer Recounts the Day His Garage Burned Down

One Family’s Disaster Story
…from serving to being served…

It was a beautiful Summer day, low 80’s, dry, sunny and a nice breeze was blowing from the west. The fourth of July fell on a Saturday in 2009 and this was Friday, the beginning of a long weekend and hopefully a great summer for our family. We own a nice little cape in a small city in Massachusetts, with four small bedrooms, two bathrooms and a detached two car garage (with a breezeway roof connection). The house is a blessing and we love the quiet neighborhood and the neighbors are great. We planned a cookout with friends that day and were glad the weather was going to be perfect, after a very rainy week. The food was good, the weather was perfect and we were having a great time – when disaster stuck.

I was at the kitchen sink, cleaning up after our cookout at about 3pm, when my 16 year old daughter ran in the house panicked – “Dad the garage is on fire”. I immediately thought, sure Kristen, don’t over-react, I’m sure it’s something small. I did rush out the back door though and was greeted by 4’ flames running up the rear shelf, inside our garage. I was horrified. Both of our cars, were literally inches away from the fire and thick, black smoke had already filled the ceiling and attic of the garage. I remember the acrid smell and sound of crackling, burning wood so clearly, even now.

I immediately shouted to my wife for car keys, as she was coming out of the back door. She panicked and brought me a small fire extinguisher. I said No, we need to move the cars, the fire’s too big. She dropped the fire extinguisher in shock, as she saw the flames behind me. Seconds seem like hours when you are waiting during a crisis. The fire was roaring now and I remembered the 3 camping propane tanks on the shelves that could explode at any time. We both jumped in the cars, started them up and backed out of the garage. Except I could only go so far before our friend’s cars were in my way – thankfully, Cindy got away cleanly. They scrambled to find their keys and by the time I finally backed out, the front end was melted and smoldering. Lumps of melted plastic had dripped onto the hood and even my ankle was hit and burning. I never felt it though, I was too focused on getting the cars out in time, without blowing up.

I parked the car around the corner, to give the firefighters room to park and then thought, I hope somebody called the Fire Department. Thankfully, both our teen daughters called and I could hear the sirens as I walked back to the front of the house.

The garage was fully engulfed by this time, with the popping sound of propane tanks and aerosols exploding. I considered grabbing the hose and spraying down the house, but I was sure the firefighters would yell at me for getting in the way. By now, the neighbors were all over the place just staring in dis-belief. Cindy and I were in a dream-like state and everything was happening in slow motion. The girls were crying, our friends looked bewildered and shocked. People asked if we were okay and I was like huh?, yeah, I guess. I think so. My lungs were burning and my ankle hurt for the first time, as I realized I had a big second degree burn blister on the front of my ankle. We were all okay though and we wandered around aimlessly.

The second feeling I had was guilt. I had let my family down. Whatever caused the fire (I presumed it was my stereo, since it was running all day) was my responsibility. The garage especially was my domain and I had somehow been stupid enough to allow a blazing fire to erupt and it had to be neglect of some kind. Our neighbors were great, especially the Deneens across the street. Tom is a firefighter himself and helped me work through the feelings of helplessness, guilt and the unknown. In a matter of 10 minutes, our lives were turned upside down, with the thought of possibly losing our home completely.

Thankfully, the firefighters knocked down the flames quickly and saved the house. It took many hours to knock out the smoldering wood though. The heat had been intense. So hot was the fire that the grass around the garage had burned, a large pine tree had been singed and even our neighbor’s siding, 50 feet away was melted. Days later, the official cause was undetermined, but the probable culprit was an outlet that had overheated, since the flames started there. I had both the stereo and a battery charger plugged in and the firefighters suggested we should use plug strips, with surge protection shutoff in the future. The firefighters had to shut off the power to the house in case another outlet, or electrical feeds were compromised in the fire.

Since it was a long holiday weekend, they offered to call the American Red Cross to help us. The Red Cross truck arrived later that afternoon and they gave us comfort kits (basic hygiene bags with a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, deodorant, etc) and offered to find a hotel for us to stay in. They were great, they even called the local hotel and set us up for three free nights. The house was dark and smelled like plastic smoke when we went in and grabbed our clothes. The garage was now a black mass of burned wood, but the house was okay. I was still in a daze when we drove to the hotel, Cindy and I couldn’t sleep, but we were safe and having a clean and quiet place to go, was all we needed those nights. Thank you Red Cross, for being there on a holiday weekend and offering our family shelter, after our disaster.

Today, the Herrmann family has re-built the garage and replaced many of the items lost, like camping gear. The car is fixed and there are smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and plug strips throughout the new garage. They are thankful for the Marlborough Fire Department, their awesome neighbors, homeowners Insurance, good Contractors and The American Red Cross. Most especially God, for saving them from a fire that could have easily happened at night.

You may think that disasters don’t happen in your area. You may have never experienced a flood, ice storm, hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, like me. I was skeptical of the need to prepare for disaster, but it can happen to you, or your neighbor. Please sign up for free Red Cross disaster training and learn the basics of disaster preparedness. You and your neighbors need to know how to handle it and prepare for it, before it happens.

Thank you,
Bob Herrmann
HOPE worldwide volunteer

New Vehicle Allows Red Cross to Serve Hot Drinks to Hundreds Waiting for H1N2 Shots

The American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts in Worcester has a new Emergency Response Vehicle. At the first H1N1 clinic in Worcester people lined up from 8:00 a.m. waiting for the clinic to open at 4:00 p.m. The Red Cross served over 1,400 cups of hot chocolate and coffee as people stood outside. An additional nine volunteers worked inside the clinic at registration and screenings, under the chapter’s newly signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Medical Reserve Corps. This was the maiden voyage of the Mobile Feeding Unit. The $129,000 vehicle, fully funded by the Homeland Security Council and MMRS, is equipped with a 6 burner stove, grill, refrigerator and 4 sinks.

Photos courtesy of the Worcester Telegram.

Jacksonville’s Life Saving Corps Has Saved Thousands

The American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps (VLSC) celebrated their 98th year at their Annual Banquet; giving special awards to 13 members, as well as 27 Merits for Rescue and 13 Assists. The VLSC in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, is the oldest, and now the only, operating volunteer life saving corps in the United States. Since 1912, lifeguards at this station have been responsible for saving thousands of lives.

Successful Babysitting Camp

The American Red Cross of Burlington County, New Jersey, held a very successful Babysitter Camp. Attendees spent the mornings completing Babysitter Training, Child and Infant CPR and First Aid courses, snack and lunch. Then campers spent each three-hour afternoon with infants to school age children at a nearby daycare facility, working with a different age group each day. The future Babysitters planned games, practiced bottle feeding and diaper changing, helped with children’s snacks, applied sunblock, and played with the children under the supervision of the daycare’s staff and a Red Cross staff member. Local organizations provided scholarships for some participants.

Longtime Disaster Volunteer Goes Back to High School

Patrick Fulton, a 14-year Emergency Services volunteer for the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Chapter, is an inspiration to the chapter and to his three teenage sons. He recently returned to Overbrook High School to earn his diploma and, at his graduation ceremony in May, represented his senior class as commencement speaker. When CEO Tom Foley asked why he decided to go back to school, Patrick responded, “I couldn’t ask my sons to do something I didn’t do myself.” In September, Patrick, who has responded to more than 300 disasters, received one of the highest honors bestowed by the SEPA Chapter, the Commemorative Award, given to an outstanding front line volunteer.

Regional Red Cross Receives Life Saving Ambulance Donation

The Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross is building a stronger fleet with the help of Meridian Health and Alert Ambulance Services, a leading medical transportation provider in New Jersey. These three priceless, restored and fully equipped ambulances will serve as Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV’s), making our Disaster work possible in the field. From Company Presidents to the maintenance crews, employees were fully engaged in making this donation happen. The Jersey Coast Chapter will also enjoy free vehicle maintenance going forward through Alert’s own vehicle maintenance garage.

The Risk of Home Fires Can Be Minimized

The River Valley Chapter (Morgantown. W. Va.) reports that so far this year the chapter has responded to 42 home fires in two counties alone, and that the number will increase dramatically over the next several months. The chapter then provided steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of a home fire.

Southwest Airlines Gathers Comfort Kits

Dallas-based air carrier Southwest Airlines has made a pledge to support the Red Cross by gathering 10,000 comfort kits to be distributed to individuals across the nation who have been displaced by disasters. Kits are being collected in all 67 cities the airline serves.

Here in Orlando, Southwest Airlines employees spent the last several weeks collecting personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, combs, razors and more, assembling them into comfort kits. Comfort kits are an essential part of a Red Cross disaster response, particularly for those affected by a home fire – the most common type of disaster the Red Cross responds to on a daily basis – and are often made available to people at Red Cross shelters.

“The Red Cross is grateful to the employees at Southwest Airlines for donating essential items that will help individuals affected by disasters,” says Joe Becker, senior vice president of disaster services for the American Red Cross. “Often when we arrive on the scene of a disaster, we’re met by people who have nothing left except what they wore to bed. Being able to provide for their most basic and immediate needs, will truly bring comfort to the 10,000 people who receive these kits.”

From customer service agents to flight attendants, all types of Southwest employees contributed to this project. Together, they were able to make more than 60 comfort kits for the Mid-Florida Region.

“Southwest Airlines employees work hard every day to do the right thing, share their spirit and give generously of their time and their hearts,” said Linda Rutherford, vice president of communication and strategic outreach for Southwest Airlines. “We value our partnership with the Red Cross, and we know the vital role the Red Cross plays in helping people recover from disasters. We are honored to support their efforts.”

Congratulations to a Red Cross Volunteer

Mercer County Chapter volunteer Cayla Hellwarth and was recently crowned the 2009 Miss Lake Festival, Celina, Ohio, and will be a contestant at the Miss Ohio contest for 2010.

Cayla chose the American Red Cross as her platform because she firmly believes in the Red Cross and it’s mission. Her goal is to increase support and awareness of the Red Cross and to encourage people to become blood donors. Cayla is not only a blood donor for the Red Cross, but has also assisted with fundraisers and blood drives for the local chapter.

The Miss Lake Festival contest involves talent, in which she sang, swimsuit, evening gown & interview (which she spoke about the Red Cross!). Along with being crowned, Cayla also won the interview and talent portion of the contest. She was awarded 2-$600 scholarships for each of the individual portions and a $3600 scholarship for being crowned queen. She will be a contestant at next year’s Miss Ohio pageant. The newly crowned 2009 Miss Ohio, Erica Gelhaus, also came from the Lake Festival pageant.

Cayla is a Freshman at Ohio State University. During the school year, she will also be volunteering for the Columbus Area Chapter in Ohio. Cayla is not only beautiful, but a determined, intelligent, hard-worker and is enthusiastic about the Red Cross. The Mercer County Chapter is proud of Cayla’s accomplishments and wish her the best of luck at the Miss Ohio pageant!

Annual 5K Hurricane Run/Walk to Raise Funds and Awareness

The Capital Area Chapter (Tallahassee, FL) held its annual Hurricane 5K Run on Labor Day. The Run is an annual fundraiser started by the Capital Area Chapter board members last year when the Chapter began looking for alternative fundraising ideas. In only its 2nd year, the Hurricane Run became the fourth largest run in the Tallahassee region with more than 650 runners. A well-known runner wrote an article for the local newspaper proclaiming the Run as “The New Kid on the Block”. The success of the Run can be attributed to community partnerships including Gulf Winds Track Club, sponsors, media partners, board members and volunteers.