Red Cross volunteers respond to 500 fires a year, and help clients like Taylor.

In the spring of 2005, Taylor made an elaborate Chinese dinner. After dinner, Taylor and his friend stepped out of his apartment for 30 minutes and returned to see smoke seeping out of his window. As Taylor’s friend pulled the building’s fire alarm, the tenants rushed outside. Taylor stood on the street in disbelief; he was almost positive he had turned the stove off. “I was frozen. The whole experience was so surreal.”

But help soon arrived. Taylor said, “The Red Cross arrived even before the fire truck.” Volunteers from the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) asked Taylor questions and tried to help him relax. The firefighters arrived, contained the fire in Taylor’s apartment, the only damaged unit. They determined the fire started because a pan of grease was left on a low burner. Taylor felt bad about his accident, he was grateful no one was hurt.

After an hour, everyone was let back in the building except for Taylor whose apartment was unlivable; half of his possessions were lost due to smoke damage. He says, “I don’t know what I would have done without the Red Cross right there. They put me up just down the street for convenience. They also gave me a bag with toiletries and a jogging suit. It was just so thoughtful.” 

Today Taylor shares his story so he can remind others about fire safety and the need for volunteers like the DAT members that helped him that difficult night. Taylor said, “The whole situation was devastating. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I don’t know what I would have done without the support of family, friends and the Red Cross.”   

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