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August 12, 2002 Supporting The Families' Emotions: How Red Cross Volunteers Helped, Shared In The Joy, of Somerset's 'Mining Miracle'
SOMERSET, PA – Supporting the needs of families during and after emergencies is nothing new to the American Red Cross. Neither is being part of the ups and downs and raw emotions caused by disasters. Last night, however, Red Cross Volunteers experienced the unique opportunity to share in the joy of family members, an opportunity and privilege that Red Cross volunteers say they will never forget.
Days ago, Red Cross Volunteers huddled quickly on scene after hearing from local officials what was needed now and in the hours to come to support two important groups of people -emergency workers and the families of nine miners trapped inside Quecreek mine in Somerset, Pennsylvania.
Coordinated by the local Red Cross Keystone Chapter, Volunteers travelled from six surrounding Red Cross chapters, and assisted, non-stop, in distributing meals and drinks to hundreds of emergency workers, family members and volunteers. About 20 Red Cross Volunteers trained in 'Disaster Mental Health' provided around-the-clock support to hundreds of family members and friends who gathered day and night at a nearby fire hall to await updates.
Providing for the emotional - as well as the physical - needs of families is how the American Red Cross responds to 67,000 disasters every year. This response includes elite Disaster Mental Health Teams. Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteers are licensed mental health experts and trained Volunteers in the field of what the Red Cross terms 'emotional first aid', providing for the often-overlooked but critically important immediate and ongoing mental health needs of those affected by disaster.
In this particular situation, the role of the Red Cross Mental Health teams was to provide - among other things - a calm presence during a roller-coaster of events and emotions. They helped in any way needed, whether it be fetching a cup of coffee, applying a band-aid to a cut finger or lending an ear - and a shoulder - to the families and friends of the miners as they worked through their thoughts.
"We listen to families that we know how they need us - sometimes it's just for support," said 15-year Red Cross veteran and Disaster Mental Health Volunteer Elena Sillman. Sillman said that in this case, "their strong faith, the unwavering presence of extended family and friends, and their self-reliance was indeed important and helpful."
Red Cross Volunteers are often encouraged by the strength of families facing hardship, but the situation in Somerset was especially inspiring to them.
"Families never lost their resolve, "said Dave Markley, a local Red Cross Mental Health Volunteer who also helped in the Red Cross response to September 11th's Flight 93 in nearby Shanksville. "Families remained optimistic the entire way through. They are a close-knit community and they relied on each other. Teamwork brought them through."
Part of the role of the American Red Cross is to prepare for a worst-case scenario and local Red Cross officials did just that early yesterday. While Red Cross Volunteers are used to walking into situations that are constantly-changing, Red Cross officials knew that the kind of support required may differ depending on the outcome of rescue efforts. So, despite continued optimism from emergency workers and the families, Red Cross officials secured more Mental Health Volunteers on stand-by status and briefed them on what they could expect if the outcome was not favorable.
"We had folks by the phones waiting for our call. We were prepared," said Georgia Layman, Emergency Director for the local Keystone Red Cross chapter.
Fortunately, incoming mental health Volunteers had the opportunity to share in a celebration, something they had hoped for all along.
Markley said he was thankful to have been there at precisely the moment the families heard that the nine miners were alive. "It was pure jubilation - a party in here! " he said. " I wouldn't have missed this for anything."
Red Cross Mental Health Volunteer Glenda Buttons, who was on scene since day one - despite lack of sleep - stayed on with the families at the fire hall until the crowd dissipated in the early morning hours. She ensured Red Cross Volunteers were at nearby hospitals with families, just in case.
Of the hundreds of people who had spent nights and long days at the fire hall over the last 80 hours, about 125 still gathered at the fire hall at 2:30 a.m., watching television news reports showing rescue efforts that were happening just three miles up the road from them. As the ninth and final miner was pulled safely to the surface, the Sipesville fire hall's whistle was sounded, alerting the entire Somerset community of the news while the crowd erupted in non-stop cheering, clapping and hugging.
With tears in their eyes, Red Cross Volunteers joined families and friends in celebration.
"Now we can finally sleep well," they said.
