Helping Others Happens One Person at a Time
Story by: Bruce Jenks, American Red Cross Volunteer
Disaster Program Specialist Courtney Hill joined the American Red Cross in early 2023. In her role, she plays a critical role supporting disaster preparedness, response and recovery programs in Anson, Cabarrus, Montgomery, Rowan, Stanly and Union County.
She’s one of many employees who help our Red Cross volunteers respond to disasters in the local community and across the country. But she’s also experienced another way to help when there has not been a disaster; through community preparedness.
Courtney hails from Mississippi, starting her career as a social services specialist working with child protective services. Her experience taught her how people behave during stressful situations, and she says preparation is the key. During disasters, preparation reduces the risk of a small event turning into a large event with a significant impact on the community, including casualties.
When Courtney joined the Disaster Cycle Services team in North Carolina, she engaged with the Concord Fire Department on community preparedness for children and adults.
During a recent smoke installation event, one person’s story was significant to Courtney. The resident had been renting her home to a family member, who, upon their departure, removed all the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. The Concord Fire Department was concerned because the person who lives alone in the home has mobility challenges. Along with providing the resident with fire safety tips, the team installed five smoke detectors and a KnoxBox. The Knoxbox enables the fire department access to the client’s home in an emergency quickly. The client was very grateful and relieved.
For Courtney, helping others happens one person at a time.
“It was needed,” Courtney said. “We won’t have to worry about if she falls how will she get in contact with somebody. All she has to do is call 911, and Concord Fire has an alert on her house; the fire department automatically comes out because they have the key.”
Most of us don’t realize we have just two minutes to escape a home fire — which is the nation’s most frequent disaster. That’s why the American Red Cross is preparing families to act quickly through our Home Fire Campaign. Since launching the campaign in 2014, we’ve helped save at least 1,583 lives across the country, including 60 people in North Carolina, by installing free smoke alarms and helping families create escape plans.
This critical work is made possible with our partners, who have helped us to install more than 2.5 million free smoke alarms and make more than 1 million households safer nationwide.
To learn more or request a smoke alarm, visit SoundTheAlarm.org.
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