Fort Wayne volunteers come to aid of natural disaster victims across the country

Moky skies and blocked off roads remain the norm for families displaced by fires in the northwest United States.

When disaster strikes the nation, fort wayne responds.

Fox 55's mallory beard shows how volunteers are helping natural disaster victims across the country.

Smoky skies and blocked off roads remain the norm for those in the northwest united states.red cross disaster relief operations volunteer scott pugh says it took him three days to get from fort wayne to oregon.scott pugh//red cross disaster relief volunteer"we have 22 of our vehicles here.

And we're going out to the different hotels and feeding the clients, the evacuees that end up in those hotels."pugh teamed with another volunteer in an emergency response vehicle to meet with other volunteers where fires had displaced several families.

Scott pugh//red cross disaster relief volunteer"these people, our clients, have reached the bottom.

Probalbly the worst time in their lives.homes completely gone.

Some of them lost their loved ones.

They...they lose everything and they need us, so that's why i volunteer my time."fort wayne's indiana michigan power also sent 175 employees and contractors to northwest arkansas to assist in restoration of power after hurricane laura.crews left aug.

27 and returned sept.

11.

.red cross of indiana's ceo chad priest began his journey with the organization when he was 15 while taking a cpr class.he says ever since then, the purpose to help others has remained on his heart.chad priest//red cross indiana ceo "this mission keeps calling us back because this mission is about the most basic thing that humans know which is at our core we are designed to look after one another...we're designed to do it."priest will undergo extensive training that inlcludes covid-19 protocols to prepare for disaster relief deployment like the volunteers.he says he hopes the red cross' efforts inspires others to lend a hand when they see others in need.

Chad priest//red cross indiana ceo"we're hoping to lead by example.

And look, if we can get out there... a lot of folks can get out there as well."in fort wayne i'm mallory beard fox 55 news.

To join the red cross mission and receive guided training to help those affected by natural disasters, click into this story on