By Pat Kondas
Jessica Jones' humanitarian spirit is highlighted by her adaptability and willingness to help where it's needed most. A Red Cross volunteer only since October, Jessica deployed for the first
time to Kentucky after the tornadoes to assist in sheltering. When she arrived, she
learned there was a special role that was needed more. Jessica shared, “You have to pivot and go where you're needed.” And
that's how she ended up as a COVID-19 Safety Officer.
Her background is in safety education and risk management – keeping people safe at work – made her a good fit for the position. Day to day, she travels around the western half of the disaster area, going to all the different Red Cross sites, making sure people are comfortable in COVID-related situations and that they're following Red Cross policy to keep everyone safe. She advises them on how they can adapt their practices and provides extra signage and other items. She appreciated the fact that “there are different options that we can provide that can make an environment even safer.”
Her background is in safety education and risk management – keeping people safe at work – made her a good fit for the position. Day to day, she travels around the western half of the disaster area, going to all the different Red Cross sites, making sure people are comfortable in COVID-related situations and that they're following Red Cross policy to keep everyone safe. She advises them on how they can adapt their practices and provides extra signage and other items. She appreciated the fact that “there are different options that we can provide that can make an environment even safer.”
At the Red Cross, the care and safety of our volunteers and community members is our number one priority. To help keep everyone safe, we’re using COVID safety precautions including masks, health
screenings, enhanced cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing regardless of vaccine
status.
Jessica shared people are doing their best to follow the safety guidelines. She says in her discussions with them, “The common thread is that they want to keep their teammates safe. They're focusing more on their partners than themselves sometimes, which is, I think, a beautiful motivation.”
Jessica shared people are doing their best to follow the safety guidelines. She says in her discussions with them, “The common thread is that they want to keep their teammates safe. They're focusing more on their partners than themselves sometimes, which is, I think, a beautiful motivation.”
From San Bernardino, California, Jessica said she joined Red Cross because she does volunteer work with other groups working in disaster response and, “We're always running into the Red Cross, so I wanted to get involved and learn more about the Red Cross way of doing things.”
“Clara Barton is
absolutely one of my guiding heroes who reminds me to be brave and creative and
help where you see help is needed .”
It wasn't in her volunteer job description, but Jessica also helped make holiday bags for
her fellow Red Crossers deployed over the holidays.
Clara Barton and the Red Cross thank you, Jessica, for being brave and helping where help is needed. To follow in Jessica's footsteps, become a volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer
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