Absolutely not! Well, maybe. The first time I was accused of being an Adrenalin Junky I was insulted! I envisioned a hyped up ambulance or fire truck chasing maniac. Then I had to admit to the ‘rush’ of helping a family that just lost everything after a house fire. As a Disaster Action Team rookie, I could only sit back and be proud of our volunteers who calmly and methodically go about the business of collecting information and meeting the needs of the newest clients.

There is another kind of ‘rush’ that happens when a blackened-face firefighter flashes a smile over cold drinks and cookies and says “thanks for being here”.

Thanks, AmeriCorps and St. Louis Area Chapter of the American Red Cross for the experience.

Susan

Susan DeWitt is the AmeriCorps Member – NPRC for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.