Staff Writer
Romeo Bouchard, the American Red Cross volunteer relief worker from Woodland left Saturday morning from the Northern Maine Regional Airport for Seattle, where he plans to work as a client caseworker. The northwest has experienced deadly storms which have left seven people dead. The storms have left behind flooded homes, fallen trees and washed out roads, including the region’s busiest highway. Damage from the storms could be in the billions of dollars, according to that state’s governor.
Within the last month, Bouchard returned from San Diego, where he worked with people displaced by wildfires.
“I like helping people,” said the 54-year-old on Friday.
While in Seattle, Bouchard will be interviewing individuals and families regarding their immediate survival needs and how those may be met.
“I help get them food, clothing, shelter,” Bouchard explained.
According to Red Cross officials, the relief worker is scheduled to be out west for about three weeks.
However, Bouchard is hoping that the relief effort can be complete by Christmas.
Bouchard said that 10,000 people have been evacuated from the Seattle area because of the storms and resulting flooding.
“It takes a person with a passion,” said Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross. “Any time I call that man he’s there with bells on. He believes in the Red Cross.
“He represents our state and the American Red Cross as well.”
Bouchard’s file is the thickest in Knorr’s cabinets.
The relief worker has taken quite a bit of training, including client casework, shelter operations, CPR, damage assessment and emergency assistance.
“You listen to the needs of the people,” said Knorr. “You’ve got to hear what they’re saying to you.”
In addition to their physical needs, caseworkers need to ask about medical needs and mental issues, Knorr said.
Bouchard has been traveling since 1995 to various disasters around the country. Included in his journeys to bring relief are trips to Texas, Georgia, Virginia and New York, although he was not called to the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center.
“That’s the only one I missed,” said Bouchard.
