In the face of severe weather in North Texas, trained American Red Cross disaster workers are working alongside local partners to ensure people have a safe place to stay, food to eat, relief supplies, and emotional and spiritual support. Peter Casas, a volunteer from Los Angeles, California, is among the many who raised their hand to deploy to North Texas as a disaster assessment manager and help those in need recover from recent tornadoes and storms.

As a disaster assessment manager, Casas manages a team of two to five people who respond to homes affected by disasters such as the storms in North Texas. The assessment team plays a crucial part in communicating with the disaster supply team to assess where and how much help is needed after disasters. Casas emphasizes his willingness to be a disaster assessment manager volunteer as he feels it is behind the scenes but still allows him to significantly help those affected by disasters.

Casas, a retired technology worker from Los Angeles with a wife and two daughters, has been a Red Cross volunteer for six years. Casas began his time at the Red Cross as a photographer but became a disaster assessment manager shortly afterward. He has two photographer friends who have been volunteering for the Red Cross for 20 to 30 years each.

He is truly passionate about advocacy and helping people. He feels the most rewarding part about volunteering with the Red Cross is knowing he’s helping people get back on their feet. Passionate and caring volunteers like Casas are the backbone of the Red Cross.

Anyone who needs a safe place to stay or a warm meal can find shelter information on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).