Red Cross provides aid after fires
By JODY MURPHY, jmurphy@newsandsentinel.comArticle Photos
PARKERSBURG -The Red Cross is known for being on the scene of major disasters and catastrophes to provide aid and comfort.
Parkersburg fire Chief Eric Chichester credits the Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross with coming to the aid of many lesser-known disasters; things Sharon Kesselring, the Red Cross' financial development director, terms "silent disasters."
"Those mini-disasters that don't make the news," she said.
Chichester said he calls the Red Cross for every structure fire to which the department responds.
"I call them anytime people are going to be put out of their homes," he said. "After a fire, people, regardless of their financial situation, are out of everything. They may need medication, food or a warm place to sleep for the night. And the Red Cross always, always is there."
"After firemen leave and clear the scene it is nice to know those people aren't out in the cold. They have somebody to take care of them. It makes my job so much easier," he added.
Chichester said the ramifications of a disaster aren't limited to just a fire. He noted smoke and water damage to a structure - even on a small house fire - can displace residents.
He said often times many victims of house fires will initially refuse help or charity.
"I am asking, 'Do you need help? Do you need the Red Cross?' and they say no. Maybe out of pride or whatever. But a lot of times they end up calling."
Katy Sulfridge, emergency services director for the Red Cross of the Mid-Ohio Valley, said about 98 percent of those in need of aid accept it.
"There are some people who will not take it, no matter what."
Chichester said he was trained by Kesselring years ago to alert the Red Cross to potential victims in need. He said the Red Cross' efforts make the fire department look good, but he doesn't want the credit.
"It makes the fire department look good, but we are not doing it. We just do the calling," he said. "It makes us look good, but I want people to know who is doing the work."
Even when the emergency is a small one and Chichester doesn't call, he said often the chapter calls him, asking about the situation.
He is amazed by the group's response time and willingness to help.
"You are calling volunteers in the middle of the night. They are nice when they answer the phone - nicer than I am - and they show up in a reasonable amount of time."
Kesselring said she is grateful for the opportunity.
"We only perform our job as well as we are given the opportunity," Kesselring said.
