ALBANY — When disaster strikes, the Red Cross is ready to respond. The Colorado wildfires are no exception.
"Our staff has to be willing to get a call and be ready to go across the country for relief the next day," said Gary Striar, CEO of the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York, which will send two people to Loveland, Colo., Friday.
Skip Zimmerman, the regional director of volunteer services, received 24 hours' notice of his deployment to aid victims and join a second wave of relief for those who are already there.
"I've got some butterflies. I have the normal anxieties, leaving my family, those kinds of flutters," said the five-year employee who lives in Glens Falls with his wife, Genevieve, and their 7-year-old son, Timothy.
The Red Cross has eight shelters set up outside the disaster zone, far enough away from the fires to aid people safely, Zimmerman said. He anticipates being at the site for about three weeks and potentially going back later if more aid is needed.
Striar explained that assisting at far-off disasters like this one is important because when something happens closer to home, like last year's tropical storms, assistance will be forthcoming from beyond the local area.
Kathryn Smith, a 16-year employee and disaster volunteer associate, is heading West with confidence.
"I have no fear, I plan on hitting the ground running when I arrive," she said.
She will be assisting victims in finding hotels, care and support, and providing some stuff that is sure to bring smiles.
"We'll bring chocolate. Chocolate always works," Smith said.
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