Volunteer Dan Barrios Reflects on One Year Since Granbury Tornado Outbreak

by Heather Wedel, Communications Specialist, American Red Cross North Texas Region

One year since the Granbury, TX tornado outbreak, volunteer Dan Barrios reflects on his experience as the shelter supervisor in Cleburne and Granbury, TX. 

On May 15 through May 17, 2013, a storm produced a total of 26 tornadoes touching down across four states. The strongest of these was an EF4 tornado which hit Hood County, TX, causing six deaths. That night, volunteer Dan Barrios remembers receiving a call from the Red Cross disaster services manager asking him to head to Ft. Worth to get instructions for a sheltering assignment. 

When asking Dan what first runs through his mind when he gets a call for deployment, he said, "First, I obviously think about my family, make sure they're okay and taken care of. Then I immediately drop everything and head to where I'm deployed. On my way there, I start thinking about the logistics in opening a shelter. With the Red Cross, you're provided so many training sessions that it all kind of kicks in."

On the night of May 15th, Dan headed to Cleburne, TX to begin opening the shelter for those affected by the tornadoes. He remembers having to find additional routes there, with the roads being blocked due to floods from the storm. Once he arrived in Cleburne, Dan worked a 20 hour shift, serving the community by opening a shelter. After his shift, he spent the night in a local hotel, and the next day was deployed to open another shelter in Granbury, TX, where the storm impacted the community the most. 

"I was actually in three different shelters in four days," Dan recalls. "I started in Cleburne, opened a shelter. Went to Granbury, opened a shelter. And then I went home for one day. The very next day, the storm hit in Moore, OK. I actually helped in opening the first shelter in Moore as well."

"I think the first time you see a shelter, you get a sense of how people need the help. They need somebody that can go in, control the situation and help provide what they need," said Dan. "People arrive in all different situations. There is a lot of uncertainty in those times and those affected are under a lot of stress."

Dan still remembers the folks he encountered in the Granbury shelter. "A man came in the shelter whose two kids were in the hospital and were severely injured by the storms. He didn't know what to do, he was walking like a zombie, in a state of shock," recalled Dan. "I was able to translate, speak some Spanish and guide him through the process of recovery. To help someone like that is truly a great feeling." 

One of the most remarkable situations Dan witnessed was when a family entered the Granbury shelter in need of feeding tubes for their daughter. The Red Cross nurses were able to work with the local fire department to go back into the families neighborhood to get her feeding tubes. 

"With the people you see, it produces memories you'll never forget," states Dan. "The work I do with the Red Cross is with the people. It breaks my heart to see what storms can do. I think about the anniversary of Granbury, and those people are still in my heart. I hope they're on a good road to recovery. No matter what impact I made, little or big, I hope I was able to be a positive force in their lives."

One thing in particular stood out to Dan about Hood County, TX: the community. "I remember the outpouring of the community, they really wanted to help. Not all community's have that, but this community really did. Everybody in those towns wanted to help," said Dan.

Dan along with his wife and son

Dan has been a volunteer with the Red Cross since Spring 2010 serving as a shelter supervisor, training instructor, community events team member, and even answers the phones from time to time. Professionally, Dan is a Sales Director and resides in Richardson, TX with his wife and son. 

As we remember the tornado outbreak last year, we continue to salute volunteers like Dan, and are thankful for their dedication and time. Red Cross disaster action teams (DAT) take on-call shifts to respond to emergencies in their local community 24/7/365. Here in North Texas, the Red Cross responds to about six home fires or other local disaster every day. Join Dan in serving our community by visiting, RedCross.org. 

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On-Call With the American Red Cross On An Atypical Valentine's Day

by Lauren McMinn Clarke, volunteer contributor

It wasn’t a typical Valentine’s Day — for me, or for them…

I had woken up thinking about what to wear on my date with my husband that evening. They woke up in a strange place with only the clothes on their backs.

I was on-call that day to volunteer with the DFW Red Cross, so when I got the text at 8am that I was needed; I sprung into action, grabbing needed gear and supplies. I was paired up with a senior public affairs volunteer, Dan Halyburton. Dan and I drove to the site in East Dallas with our gear, not sure what to expect.

All we knew was that there had been a four-alarm fire in an apartment building, displacing dozens of families. The Red Cross had arrived during the night and found shelter for the residents for the evening.

The Red Cross responds to about 6 home fires
or other local emergencies in North Texas
every single day.

Upon arriving at the scene, we could see that one apartment building had been completely decimated by the fire. Weary looking firefighters were hosing water over the burnt out frame and the surrounding intact buildings. Dozens of bleary-eyed residents were standing around the perimeter of the scene, in their pajamas and no shoes, staring in disbelief. Some residents in the adjoining water logged building were now able to drag out their few possessions that weren’t ruined by the water, hastily stuffed into white garbage bags.

One young resident I spoke with had just moved into the apartment complex the week before. She was in her bathroom the previous night and started smelling smoke. When she went into her living room and saw that a wall was on fire, she ran out of the apartment immediately, taking nothing with her. She had no family nearby, she was afraid, in shock and exhausted.

Another women approached us asking for help from the Red Cross. Where could she and her family stay now? She had three young boys, and she had to get to work, she couldn’t lose her job. She was able to get the boys out the night before, but what now? She felt helpless, protective and panicked.

Thankfully, we were able to connect everyone that approached us that morning with our Red Cross Disaster Services team. The team sprung into action by arranging services to help them with their recovery.

As a volunteer this Valentine’s Day, I was able to witness first hand the compassionate power of the American Red Cross during a disaster situation. That compassion is tangible. During fires specifically, the American Red Cross provides shelter, clothing and food to affected families, supplying their most basic needs.

The compassion is also intangible and comes in the form of quiet listening, or in simple gentle statements such as, “I’m so sorry this has happened to you.”

It was a privilege to help my Dallas neighbors this past Valentine’s Day with the American Red Cross.

Red Cross disaster action teams (DAT) take on-call shifts to respond to emergencies in their local community 24/7/365. Here in North Texas, we respond to about 6 home fires or other local disaster a day. We're always looking for great volunteers willing to be on-call a few days a month to join DAT. To join, get started at RedCross.org.

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Volunteer Charles Wilson Has Been Everywhere and Seen Everything

by Kassidy Ketron, Intern

Charles Wilson is 78 years old and, through his volunteer work at the American Red Cross, has traveled all across the country.

Since he began volunteering in 2005, he has done just about everything and been everywhere.

“I’ve been all over the United States,” Wilson said. “I’ve been to Florida, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, up there in Indiana, Chicago. Let’s see, New Jersey, Oregon, California. I’ve just about been all over.”

Volunteering with the Red Cross can take you
all over. Just ask Charles Wilson.

In 2004, he retired as a locksmith supervisor at Texas Christian University and began volunteering with Meals on Wheels, but that only took about 45 minutes per week.

“I had retired and I didn’t have anything else to do,” Wilson said, “so I started doing Meals on Wheels, but that didn’t take but 45 minutes a week. And then after [Hurricane] Katrina, I decided to check with the Red Cross. I went down there and volunteered and I had something to do.”

He has done everything from client casework, to being a member of the disaster action team and to driving emergency response vehicles, which is his favorite.

Wilson said he enjoys traveling and helping people, which is a perfect combination with the American Red Cross.

One of his disaster responses that took him on the road to Arkansas left him with a funny memory.

“They had a tornado come through there and they’ve got a lot of chicken farms down there. That tornado had came and then it had sucked the feathers off a lot of these chickens,” Wilson said laughing. “That was the funniest thing I had ever seen, you know? A chicken with no feathers.”

Although, he has a few light-hearted memories during disaster responses, some of them have affected him more than others.

One time in particular, he said, was during a flood in Haltom City at a trailer park.

“This lady was trying to hold on to the kids, but the water was so strong that it pulled the kids out of her,” Wilson said. “And I don’t know if she ever caught them, but she had scratch marks on her arms where the baby was trying to hold on to her.”

Regardless of the disaster, he said volunteering for the Red Cross and helping people that are glad to see you makes it all worth it.

“[It’s rewarding] helping people in need,” Wilson said. “People that have lost everything that you can go in and help, just a little bit. That’s rewarding to me.

This National Volunteer Week, we salute volunteers like Charles, who make up more than 90 percent of the Red Cross and are the reason we can work toward our mission every day. To learn about volunteer opportunities, visit redcross.org to start your Red Cross story today.  

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5 Unique Ways You Might Not Know You Could Volunteer With the American Red Cross

by Amy Yen, Digital Communications Manager, American Red Cross North Texas Region

We <3 our volunteers!

Volunteers are the heart, soul and engine of the American Red Cross. Nationally, they make up more than 90% of our work force; here in North Texas, it’s closer to 95%. But while you might know that Red Cross volunteers help serve meals in shelters, drive blood units to hospitals and teach CPR in the community, you might not realize that there are more than 70 different roles available for volunteers to fill in North Texas alone. 

Some of these are the kind of opportunities you might expect—we need clerical help just like everyone else—but some are unique positions requiring specific backgrounds, interests and training. Because we look for people with specific skill sets for these roles, we’re always in need of people who might be a good fit. Who knows? You may have exactly the experience and interests that we need and not know it!

Here are five unique ways to volunteer with the Red Cross. If any of these sound like something you could do, please visit RedCross.org/DFW today and fill out an application. We need your help!  

1. International Services Caseworker: Got a little detective in you? Being an International Services caseworker might be for you. Caseworkers work on our Restoring Family Links program, which helps reconnect families separated by international armed conflict or disaster. To find someone whose loved one lost contact with them, a caseworker will use every resource available—from property records to Google searches—to help reunite a family. Social work is a common background for caseworkers, but anyone with good organization skills, compassion, tolerance and a love of detective work can succeed at it. Check out this blog post for more details about what it’s like to be an IS caseworker.


2. Disaster Action Team (DAT) Member: While massive disaster relief efforts after tornadoes and hurricanes get a lot more attention, the most common service provided by the Red Cross happens multiple times a day, every day, in every city and town in the nation: the single-family house or apartment fire. Our Disaster Action Teams (DAT) respond to these and other local emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing for the immediate food, shelter and clothing needs of the affected families, as well as first responders on the scene. If you have a passion for helping others and are willing to be on-call a few days a month, being a DAT member is sure to be fulfilling. Here’s a story about one of our Dallas team members.


3. Photographer/Videographer: Photography buff? Video whiz? You can help tell the Red Cross story, so we can show the public, the media and our donors what we’re doing to help. We rely on photographers and videographers with professional-level skills and equipment to capture the moments we want to share, from a group of community supporters putting together care packages for disaster victims to our emergency response vehicles going into debris fields. 


4. Disaster Mental Health Worker: Providing emotional support in the wake of an emergency remains one of the most important services we offer. Our disaster mental health counselors help children and adults cope with the emotional and environmental impact following a disaster by assessing their needs, helping them adjust and assisting in the recovery efforts. This is one of our most difficult volunteer positions to fill because disaster mental health workers must be licensed mental health professionals. If you have an active license in social work, psychiatry, counseling, psychiatric nursing, marriage and family therapy, psychology or other mental health discipline, you can truly make a difference during some of the most traumatic times in someone’s life. Here’s more from one of our counselors about what it’s like to volunteer in this role.


5. Digital Volunteer: Did you know you can volunteer in your pajamas? Our digital volunteers can do just that, working remotely to help tell the Red Cross story online via social media. Digital volunteers help run Red Cross social feeds, including Facebook and Twitter, posting severe weather information, preparedness tips and where people can get and give help. They also help monitor, respond and engage in the social space with people affected by disasters. Have a passion for social media and want to make a difference with your online presence? Being a digital volunteer may be for you.

To learn more about any of these roles or to see other volunteer opportunities with your local American Red Cross chapter, visit RedCross.org. If you have a specific role that you’re interested in, be sure to let us know during your application process.  

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Red Cross Funds Stretched Thin After 100+ People Burned out of Their Homes in Past 72 Hours

Community Can Help by Texting, Clicking or Sponsoring

DFW, TEXAS, February 28, 2012 — It’s rare to get a rash of fires that displaces nearly 100 people in a three-day period, but here in the Metroplex, that’s exactly what’s happened over the past 72 hours.
Four major apartment fires, along with 12 single-family homes fires, one causing a critical injury, had the organization responding around the clock; and depleting resources at a rapid pace.

Now, the Red Cross is asking the community to help replenish their funds as they gear up for spring storm season. 

“We’re concerned about this barrage of home fires, coupled with the start of spring storm season,” said T.D. Smyers, regional chief executive officer, American Red Cross North Texas Region. “We’ve had so many fires and any day now, spring storms will be here and we have to be ready to respond to those too.” 

Smyers said the organization has distributed about three weeks worth of aid in a three day period, but with support from the community, those funds can be replaced quickly. 

Ways people can give include texting the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10; jumping on www.redcross.org to give a gift in any amount; or by sponsoring a “Piper the Puppy” at the $100 level. This Dallas-created stuffed animal brings comfort when he’s handed to a child at the curb of a house fire, while the financial donation ensures that the Red Cross is ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Home fires are the most common disaster responded to by the local Red Cross chapters. An average of five families in the Metroplex experience a house fire every day. The American Red Cross responds every time they’re called and assists with safe shelter, new shoes and clothing, groceries, seasonal items, bedding and more. Without the support of the American people, the American Red Cross would be unable to respond. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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Disaster Strikes, DATs Are There

People may not know what to do when a disaster strikes, but they do know who to call. No matter how big or small the disaster, the American Red Cross shows up when needed.

Each year, the Dallas Area Chapter responds to more than 600 disasters across 12 North Texas counties. Our ability to respond is due in no small part to the role of our dedicated volunteers who are there to help others around the clock. Our volunteers respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, seldom with little thanks and definitely no pay.

Tuesday night, we took time from the busy holiday fire season to say thank you to our Disaster Action Teams (DATs). These volunteers are on call and ready to respond to local disasters by providing immediate relief and support to individuals and families in their time of need. You can find them lending a hand whether it is 2 p.m. on a hot summer day or 2 a.m. in the middle of winter. DATs are there. They are the heart and soul of the American Red Cross and make a difference in our community on a daily basis.

This short video produced by Anita Foster, chief communications officer for the Dallas Area Chapter, highlights the Disaster Action Teams in action.

2010 Disaster Action Teams In Action



Join the Disaster Action Team in the Dallas area! Outside of the Dallas area, find your nearest American Red Cross chapter.

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DATs Alright With Me

Pardon the poor play on words - but as we have learned, it is better to be prepared for a disaster before it happens. The weather has been beautiful outside. The kids are back in school. The American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter responds to an average of three disasters each day.

What a better time to join the Disaster Action Team (DAT) for the American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter!

Red Cross disaster volunteers receive specialized Red Cross training to prepare them to execute vital tasks in field operations, disaster assessment, mass care, sheltering and psychological first aid.

So do it now - while the weather is nice - and make a difference by saving a life.

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NEW! Red Cross Cargo Vest--Snap One Up Now!

Attention Red Cross Disaster Relief Workers:

The newly designed Red Cross Cargo Vest is now available for purchase from the Dallas Area Chapter! You will love the unique styling and the 14 pockets! It's perfect for your notepads, sunglasses, keys, BlackBerries, cell phones, sunscreen, well, you know, all the stuff we have to carry! Available in two fantastic shades: Tan (great for the hot summer months) and Black (great for the cooler months, or for indoor activities).

The price per vest is $49 and they are currently available in all sizes! Just click the link below to be taken to the order form, or call Bridget Smith at 214-678-4816. Be sure to have your chapter code handy!

Look great on your next assignment with the new Red Cross Cargo Vest!

Order your vest today!

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DFW Under the Gun for Severe Storms

Once again, the chance for severe thunderstorms containing high winds, damaging hail and isolated tornadoes is possible across North Texas. The time to prepare is now. The American Red Cross offers the following tips to keep families safe:

 Pick a safe place in your home where family members could gather during a tornado or straight-line windstorm. The safest place to be is underground, or as low to the ground as possible, and away from all windows. Make sure there are no windows or glass doors in your safe place and keep this place uncluttered.

 Check with your employer to determine where to seek shelter during the workday. Make sure your employer has a battery operated radio or a weather radio and essential supplies in the company safe room(s).

 If you live in a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. Mobile homes are much more vulnerable to strong winds than site-built structures. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your family's safe place.

 If you are in a vehicle, get out immediately. Find a sturdy nearby structure and take shelter. If there is no building nearby, go to a low-lying area until the storm passes. Taking cover under bridges is not recommended.

 If you are in a high-rise building, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Center hallways are often structurally the most reinforced part of a building.

 Check with your children's schools and day care centers to learn tornado emergency plans. Every building has different safe places. It is important to know where they are and how to get there in an emergency. Do NOT drive to your child’s school or day care center during a severe storm outbreak.

 Conduct periodic tornado drills so everyone remembers what to do when a tornado is approaching. Practice having everyone in the family go to your designated area in response to a tornado threat. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking time during an actual emergency situation.

 Discuss tornadoes with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disaster ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone know how to respond during a tornado.

 BE RED CROSS READY. Follow 3 Action Steps for Preparedness—Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed. A free online education module is available at www.redcross.org/BeRedCRossReady to guide users through the three preparedness steps. The ten minute presentation, available in English and Spanish, includes a downloadable disaster supply kit checklist and emergency contact card.

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Four-alarm Fire in Addison Displaced 17 People

Yesterday, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter was called to provide assistance at a 4-alarm fire in Addison. Volunteers immediately began working with the displaced residents on scene by giving out sweats, socks, tennis shoes and hygiene supplies. See more of the response

After completing an official damage assessment, the Red Cross determined that 17 people in six (6) town homes were displaced. Red Cross workers made sure each family had a safe place to stay and financial assistance so they could purchase groceries, new clothing and shoes, winter coats and other needed items.

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Volunteer of the Quarter Announced--Lynn Rice

Lynn has been an active volunteer since the day she volunteered for Katrina. Shortly thereafter, in 2006, she became a Disaster Action Team (DAT) Team Leader. She quickly assumed the role of “acting” coordinator when the coordinator at that time was deployed for many months. By January 2007, Lynn had become the official coordinator for both Dallas East and Dallas West disaster action teams.

Since becoming the disaster action team coordinator, Lynn has mentored more than 50 of the Dallas Area Chapter's most active and extraordinary volunteers as well as many of the up and coming team members.

She is also an instructor and encourages others to participate in other activities such as shelter operations, casework and disaster assessment.

Lynn truly has a desire to succeed because she enjoys volunteering, helping her community, making new friends and seeing teamwork actually come to fruition when it appears to be a daunting task ahead. Her persistence and perseverance has shown that even a team of only 17 could grow into a powerhouse of 44, including some of the strongest team leaders in the Chapter!

Lynn truly makes working at the American Red Cross—Dallas Area Chapter a pleasure because of her dedication and commitment to her community and the organization.

Congratulations and Thank You Lynn!

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Red Cross Responds to 4-Alarm Fire

Last night, the Dallas Area Chapter responded to a 4-Alarm apartment fire in Dallas. We helped at least 30 people find a place to stay. We also provided financial assistance so the families could purchase groceries, new clothing, bedding, shoes and other needed items.

Thank you to those who make this all possible and help us change lives by donating time, money and blood. If you would like to change a life, visit www.redcrossdallas.org to learn about volunteer opportunities, make a donation or donate blood.

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Red Cross Responds to Denton Fire

Red Cross volunteer, Guillermo Espinal, was part of the team that responded to the Woodhill Apartments fire in Denton. Full Story

The American Red Cross made sure the people affected had a place to stay, food, and clothing.

Without dedicated volunteers like Memo, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter would not be able to provide hope and comfort to families displaced by home fires.

If you are interested in changing lives in your community, become a volunteer today. Learn more by visiting our Web site or call 214-678-4800.

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McKinney Apartment Fire Displaces Seven Families

As wilfires blazed through West Texas on Thursday, April 9, things appeared to be fairly quiet in Collin County. But, at approximately 11:30 pm, all that changed when the American Red Cross was notified of a multi-family fire in downtown McKinney.

When Red Cross volunteers got on the scene, they found families out on the curb, in need of immediate help. The Disaster Action Team volunteers assessed seven apartments for damage; one sustained fire damage while the other six apartments sustained smoke and water damage. It wasn't safe for the families to remain in the building so Red Cross workers helped all seven families find a place to stay. They also provided drinks and snacks to more than 30 individuals.

To learn more about how you can prepare for disaster, donate, or volunteer, visit the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter online today!

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Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responds to Fire

DALLAS, TEXAS - An American Red Cross DAT team responded to a multi-family fire this afternoon. When the volunteers arrived, they met two individuals who were displaced by the fire. The volunteers provided the clients drinks and snacks as they were very fortunate to have recovered their personal belongings, and they each had a place to stay.

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Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responds to Fire

RICHARDSON, TEXAS - An American Red Cross DAT team responded to a single-family fire this afternoon. When the volunteers arrived, they met a family of six who was displaced by the fire. The volunteers provided the clients with emergency, financial assistance for food, and they provided the family with drinks, snacks, and comfort kits (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, etc.).

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Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responds to Fire

DALLAS, TEXAS - An American Red Cross DAT team responded to a multi-family fire this morning. When the volunteers arrived, they met seven families who were affected by the fire. The volunteers provided one family with emergency, financial assistance for food. Because of the frigid temperatures, the volunteers provided other individuals with sweatpants, blankets, and warm drinks.

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Disaster Action Time (DAT) Responds to Fire

An American Red Red Cross DAT team responded to a single-family fire this afternoon. When the volunteers arrived, they met a family of four who was displaced by the fire. The volunteers provided the clients with emergency, financial assistance for food, clothing, and they assisted the family with finding a place to stay.

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Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responds to Fire

An American Red Red Cross DAT team responded to a single-family fire this evening. When the volunteers arrived, they met a family of three who was displaced by the fire. The volunteers provided the clients with emergency, financial assistance for food, and they assisted the family with finding a place to stay.

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Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responds to Fire

An American Red Red Cross DAT team responded to a single-family fire that occurred on March 18, 2009. When the volunteers arrived, they met two individuals who were displaced by the fire. The volunteers provided the clients with emergency, financial assistance for bedding and linens.

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