After a career-ending injury at his railroad job, Ed Conn faced a turning point in his life and set out to rediscover his purpose. In February 2023, Ed found a new purpose, dedicating his time and energy to volunteering with the Red Cross, turning a personal setback into an opportunity to make a difference.
Ed grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and now lives in northwest Indiana. Before his career on the railroad, he served as a trained first responder, working as an EMT, paramedic and reserve police officer. Throughout his career, Ed has been driven by a desire to help others. When he deployed to Tennessee to support Red Cross relief efforts after Hurricane Helene, he expected difficult conditions but says nothing could have prepared him for the devastation he witnessed upon arrival.
“I’ve been on 13 deployments since I started volunteering for the Red Cross nearly two years ago. Of all those operations, this was the one that really got to me mentally and emotionally,” said Ed. “After about three days on the job, I had to take a step back, pause and call my wife to talk about the magnitude of the destruction. As a first responder, I’ve seen death and destruction, but this was such an unbelievable event, even referred to as Biblical. Seeing it in person was mindboggling.”
On the ground, Ed coordinated the Disaster Assessment Team for an area along the rivers in northeast Tennessee, where Hurricane Helene dumped nearly two feet of rain. In the days before Hurricane Helene hit the area, another storm deposited close to 20 inches of rain. The volume of rainfall in a short period of time caused the rivers to swell dramatically, expanding their width by 100 to 300 yards in low-lying areas. At one bend, the river overflowed 40 to 60 feet beyond its banks. Ed says every neighborhood and every house in its path were destroyed.
“One neighborhood along a mountainside was completely cut off from the outside. Helicopter drops with food and supplies were happening every other day,” Ed recalled. “While the local government highway teams were building a temporary road, they created what we called a mile-long ‘goat path’ where one person at a time could get in and out of there. This was how we accessed the area to complete our damage assessments.”
In the aftermath of disasters, Red Cross Disaster Assessment Teams play a crucial role by evaluating the extent of damage and determining the resources and workforce required. Their assessments help prioritize urgent needs, guide the deployment of volunteers and supplies, and ensure relief efforts are efficient and effective, laying the foundation for recovery. Ed says the team begins by reviewing maps, planning routes, and organizing teams for on-the-ground assessments.
“I also coordinate efforts with several different departments, including Government Operations and Distribution of Emergency Supplies. Disaster assessment is where everything starts to provide future support to clients, including financial assistance,” he detailed. “Being in the field also allows us the opportunity to answer questions and give direction to addressing their most immediate needs, such as food, shelter, and a safe place to sleep.”
The Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes, and our volunteers are always ready to help those in need. As climate-driven disasters become more frequent and intense, the Red Cross is increasing our capacity to facilitate recovery efforts.
Ed spent two weeks in Tennessee assisting with relief efforts. Shortly after returning home, another disaster struck, as record-breaking rainfall triggered flash flooding in Roswell, New Mexico. Once again, Ed headed to the affected area to assess the damage and offer aid and support.
“Water is incredibly powerful. Even a few inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. We’re fortunate there was no major destruction or loss of life in New Mexico, but nearly 1,600 properties were impacted,” Ed noted. “Any time someone experiences any level of catastrophic event, Red Cross volunteers are there to address their needs.”
Volunteers make up 90% of the Red Cross disaster workforce and make it possible for us to respond to about 65,000 disasters every year. Through our nationwide network of volunteers, the Red Cross provides comfort, support and assistance to communities and families impacted by disaster.
“Without a doubt, the backbone of the Red Cross is its volunteers. People of diverse backgrounds all come together for the same purpose. Being part of this kind of team effort changes you and is very welcoming. I’m honored to have met so many great people from around the country who travel to do these things to help others,” said Ed.
If you want to make a difference in the lives of others, consider putting on a red vest and joining us. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Written by Julie Norman, communications team volunteer.