A cot set up at an emergency shelter in Calgary  photo courtesy Canadian Red Cross

Prince George, BC –  Prince George resident, Joann Kennedy, is in Calgary this morning to help flood victims in that city and southern Alberta begin to put their lives back together in the wake of devastation left behind by receding water levels.

The local Canadian Red Cross volunteer received a phone call with her assignment on Thursday afternoon, and was on a plane by 1pm yesterday.  Kennedy has been involved in a number of disaster relief efforts, including the aftermath of flooding in Manitoba, the forest fire in Slave Lake, and, most recently, in Manhattan after Hurricane Sandy.  She has packing down to a science and can have her bag ready in an hour.

"What happens with these things is you are deployed based on your experience and your training – and, then, they fit you in where they need you," says Kennedy, who will be an operations caseworker in Calgary.  "So you go with an open mind and are prepared to do whatever you need to do to help them."

She expects to be assisting families displaced from their homes, providing hygiene and clean up kits, and says the Red Cross is working closely with local food banks to meet the increased demand for food supplies.   The agency is also involved in distributing supplies from Calgary to all affected areas.  (photo of homes affected by flooding courtesy Canadian Red Cross)

"People are very stressed out – but some more than others, as you can imagine – because some people cope better than others, so generally what the Red Cross tries to do is have resources available for psycho-social counselling," says Kennedy.  "Because that’s part of the process for folks – it’s not just the material goods that they need, it’s the emotional and mental support, as well, because some people are alone, some don’t have family close by."

As for how she holds up during what must be an emotionally taxing time, Kennedy says Red Cross staff and volunteers are very supportive of one another.  "And that’s huge, because sometimes you see these people come in and you just need to cry and that’s okay.  We all know that it’s okay, and it’s okay to cry with the people that come through the door."

The Prince George resident says there are so many unsung heroes in events of this nature, from individuals to the numerous church organizations and other groups that mobilize, move in, and help clean up.

"This is a very humbling volunteer position that I’m in because you go and you see the goodness of mankind."