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Newsroom Chapter Blog
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Mar
9
3/9/2009 8:23 AM
 I have worked for the American Red Cross for a little over 9 years in the Health & Safety Department (9 years, 2 months and 3 days, to be exact!). My job entails providing CPR/AED, First Aid, Pet First Aid, Babysitter’s Training, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider and other training programs to businesses, organizations, schools and the community in general. I do this by deploying (that’s a disaster term) my team of instructors out to spread lifesaving skills and knowledge. I have a wonderful crew of people: a nurse, a single-mom who has returned to school, a grad student, 2 firefighters, a cab driver, a minister and a computer genius. They do a great job and take care of each other.
Last summer I got the bug to branch out and volunteer with the Emergency Services Department. I began my training and did my first DAT (that’s Disaster Action Team) ride along at the end of August, 2008. Every month, I volunteered for one “night shift” (4 p.m. – midnight) and learned the ropes. I learned how to listen to the scanner, how to inspect the vehicle, how to take inventory of vehicle items, how to sanitize and disassemble/reassemble beverage containers, and how to pack 12 Mickey Mouse dolls in a small box (it’s actually kind of scary, nose to tail, tail to nose, six on the top row, six on the bottom). We did not respond to a fire that night, but I came back. September, October, November, December and January all passed by. I began to be known as the “good luck” charm for the citizens of St. Louis-no fires. Along the way I met some wonderful people (fellow volunteers), listened to their stories and their passion for helping others, and made some awesome new friends.
I often wondered what it would be like to respond to a fire scene. I worried about how we would find the fire. After all, it is dark on my shift and one month we had to deliver cots to a family and it took us two hours to find the place (that’s another story). Finally, in February, our team was called to respond to a fire. Three adults were out of their home due to a garage fire. The power was shut off and it was COLD! Anyone who knows me knows that I wear my coat in the office, so this was going to be a challenge. But I was prepared with many layers, lined jeans and mittens that converted to gloves with the tops off the fingers so I could write.
Off we went to the fire. As we got closer, I was peering out the windows working very hard to locate the fire for our driver. Suddenly, there was a light in the sky that looked like a football field had been brought right smack dab into a neighborhood. There it was!!! The fire had been out for awhile, but the lights from 4 fire engines were incredibly bright. I was kind of embarrassed because I had no idea that it would be so easy to locate our clients and the firefighters and emergency personnel.
My other fear was that I would cry in front of our clients. I’m very emotional, but somehow, with the help of an experienced and very professional, caring team leader, I was calm and comforting to three very cold and discombobulated people. I didn’t cry! What a relief.
So now, I have experienced playing a very small part in making the lives of three clients a little bit better and I’m ready to do more. My next ride is March 29. Hopefully, I’ll be able to leave the flannel lined jeans and special gloves at home.
Mary Beth Ohlms is the Heath & Safety Manager for the St. Louis Area Chapter.
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2 comment(s) so far...
Re: Mary Beth Ohlms – Living a Double Life
Mary Beth - I'm so glad you are a part of both the Health and Safety Team and the Disaster Action Team! Keep being that "good luck charm" and thanks for all you do!
By Becky White on
3/11/2009 5:32 PM
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Re: Mary Beth Ohlms – Living a Double Life
Mary Beth, welcome to Disaster Services. I too branched out since leaving your chapter and now serve on DAT and deploy nationally. People don't like to see me coming. I'm SS/SR/SV caring for our volunteers. I am always greatful for the start you, Tammy and your crew gave me in volunteering for the Red Cross. See you soon.
By Lev on
4/11/2009 7:03 PM
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