DAT teams are heroes as well

With all of the attention rightfully given to the New York Police Department and the Fire Department of New York, it is easy to forget about some of the heroes that live right here in the our own community.

Like their New York City counterparts, there are a number of volunteers and emergency workers here -- just as in every community -- who should be considered heroes as well.

The DAT (Disaster Action Team) is a group of trained Red Cross volunteers who are available within the Mat-Su Valley to provide assistance and comfort to anyone directly affected by a disaster.

The American Red Cross Mat-Su branch has six DAT teams on 24-hour call, seven days a week. Oftentimes, the teams respond to fire calls in the middle of the night in adverse conditions to provide comfort and relief.

The goal is to respond to a disaster call within the first hour. Teams are located in Palmer, Wasilla and Talkeetna. Their service area extends throughout the Mat-Su Valley and beyond Glennallen.

DAT teams respond to an average of three fires per month and help provide clients with temporary housing, clothing, food and first month's rent, if necessary.

The Mat-Su Red Cross provided more than $17,000 in direct assistance last year. DAT teams also respond to floods, earthquakes and avalanches, giving of their time in a compassionate manner.

The qualifications to become a DAT team member are stringent and require intensive training.

Team members must ensure their availability for on-call shifts. They must ensure the client's needs are met and appropriate referrals are made and ensure excellent customer service.

They must have an understanding of and commitment to the voluntary nature of the American Red Cross, including its policies, objectives, organization and services. They must complete a number of training classes including CPR and first aid training.

Team members attend monthly DAT meetings to keep informed about the most recent training and refresher courses.

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its congressional charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

This submission is from the American Red Cross, Mat-Su branch.

Communities in the Mat-Su Valley benefit every day from the work of volunteers.

Mostly, the work performed and the volunteers themselves remain out of the spotlight. They are faceless people who give their time and their talent each day, without expecting or receiving much recognition.

We want to change that.

Is there a volunteer your nonprofit agency simply could not live without? Does one person make a big difference in your life every day, all without asking for anything in return? If so, please let us know.

We want to shed light on the efforts many of these unassuming people give every day to charities, nonprofit agencies, local organizations or even their neighbors.

In future issues of the Frontiersman, we will highlight some of these people and the work they perform that makes the Mat-Su Valley a great place to live.

To nominate a person to be highlighted, please e-mail the person's name, a contact number for them and for yourself, and a brief description of what makes the work they do important.

E-mail submissions to editor@alaska.net, or mail them to the Frontiersman, 5751 E. Mayflower Ct., Wasilla, AK, 99654.