By Nikki Mayville, Red Cross Writer

"During the worst days of their lives, we ensure people don't have to worry about their disability. We lift this burden off their shoulders."

This is how Dee Chase, a seasoned Red Cross volunteer, summed up her role as Northern New England Disaster Disability Integration Regional Program Lead.

In 2022, Dee, a New Hampshire native, signed up to be a disaster volunteer. Since then, her duties have taken her far and wide – from Lahaina, Hawaii, to Southern California and most recently to Southeast Texas after Hurricane Beryl left millions without power and shelter.

“Our job is to assess the immediate functional and accessibility needs,” states Dee when asked about the role of disability integration services.

“Our blue sky job is research and preparation,” she continues, describing a day in the life of a Red Cross volunteer during non-emergency situations. “Community outreach is also crucial. We create and update local job books for each deployment city to make sure we have someone to call in case of emergency.”

Whether it’s a replacement wheelchair or a rented hospital bed, these community members are always ready to step up and provide what’s needed.

The gray sky – or disaster – days, however, are a little different. “You have to use your imagination,” says Dee. “When conducting shelter site visits it’s important to put yourself in your client’s shoes and ask yourself what their immediate needs are and whether they can be met in this space.”

These needs are many and varied. Thinking back on her time in Texas, Dee recalls an entrance that needed an accessibility ramp, a client with a CPAP machine that needed to be plugged into an electrical outlet, and former armed service members suffering from PTSD who needed respite from the loud, crowded shelter.

Each case was treated with the utmost care by Dee and her team. Ramps were installed, outlets were found, and “blue rooms” –  thick wrestling mats that lock together on the floor to muffle sounds and block views – were ordered to create a calming space.

“Twenty-eight percent of Texans have a disability,” Dee says, stressing the need to bring attention to an often overlooked issue hidden in plain sight.

“People just want to be considered and thought about in the event of a disaster,” she continues.

When asked what motivated her to step out of her comfort zone, Dee responded that both her personal history with a debilitating injury and her lifelong career as a workers' compensation medical case manager inspired her decision.

“When I see people affected by disasters, I think: ‘Could that be my grandmother?’ ‘Could that be my mom?’ ‘What can I do to meet their immediate needs and make things just a little easier for them?’”

There is always work to be done. Dee just finished a 3-week deployment in Texas and will soon be joining some friends for a well-deserved vacation. However, with an active hurricane season in the Eastern United States, she does not rule out another deployment upon her return.

“Our job is all about restoring dignity,” she says. “People are incredibly resilient… they just need their tools.”

The Red Cross is grateful for the generosity and compassion of volunteers just like Dee Chase who give people the tools to overcome even the biggest adversities.

If you would like to become a trained disaster responder, contact your local Red Cross chapter or visit redcross.org/VolunteerNNE.