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Volunteer embraces her mission
dbachman@observer-reporter.com
When a seven-alarm fire destroyed a three-story apartment building last week in Washington, Debbie Phillips was among the many emergency crews that responded.
As a volunteer for the American Red Cross, Phillips was responsible for finding shelter, clothing and food for the 10 residents who were left homeless.
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And she knows that feeling well.
The 44-year-old Rices Landing resident has been a Red Cross volunteer since 2001, and she has agreed to be on call 24-7 in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties.
"Whenever I hear the fire whistles, my adrenaline gets going and I wait for my pager to go off," she said.
Phillips will take a day off here and there, especially if the victims are people she knows - or, if she and her husband, Gary, want to visit their daughter and 21/2-year-old grandson in Ohio.
"That's why I occasionally will take a day or two off, just to regroup," she said. "I don't want to get burned out."
Steve Noe, emergency services coordinator for the Red Cross in Washington County, appreciates the dedication of his small pool of volunteers, especially those like Phillips.
"It's wonderful," Noe said. "It allows us to do a lot of things in a world where volunteers are indeed in short supply. I'd be the primary responder if I didn't have a couple volunteers. It means a huge amount to me."
Noe responds to all calls before 6 p.m., and Phillips answers all calls after that. However, since Red Cross volunteers are required to respond in pairs, Phillips accompanied Noe to last week's 2:15 p.m. blaze at 84 E. Maiden St.
"What drives me is knowing that I can help in a way and put smiles on faces when people know the things that are about to come ... and knowing somebody does care," she said.
Phillips said her compassion for those in crisis was instilled in her at a young age. Her father was a police officer in Toledo, Ohio, for 30 years, and she was always taught to treat others the way she'd want to be treated.
"I didn't know there was a Red Cross in the county - I'll be honest. I always thought the Red Cross did big stuff," said Phillips, who discovered the local Red Cross in a newspaper advertisement. "I never knew this stuff was available until I started doing this."
In addition to helping those in need locally, Phillips also has aided flood victims in Kentucky and New Jersey and hurricane victims in Alabama, Florida and Texas.
Right now, Phillips is one of only nine Red Cross volunteers available to cover a three-county area, and two others are in training.
Without a doubt, Noe is always searching for more help.
"We're expected to respond to all disasters - floods, tornadoes and fires," he said.
Disaster Action Team trainees are required to take two online orientation classes, followed by DAT orientation with Noe. Trainees also must pass a background check and receive driver's license clearance.
To become a team member, trainees must take a few other courses, including first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Team leaders, like Phillips, undergo even more training.
"There is a career path, if you will, for our volunteers," Noe said.
Those who are interested in training to become a volunteer can call the Red Cross office at 724-222-4750.
