National Volunteer Week: DAT Supervisor Bill Gausch offers frontline comfort and care

Editor’s Note: We’re profiling outstanding Red Cross volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week April 21-27. Be sure to check back daily!

Disaster Action Team supervisor Bill Gausch. Photo by Konrad Jones / American Red Cross

By Alana Mauger

When Bill Gausch retired as operations director for a Fortune 500 company, he started looking for a volunteer role where he could “have an immediate impact and help someone on a frontline experience.” He found it with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Recently promoted to DAT supervisor, Bill lives in Chester County but responds to disasters across the region and beyond. He tends to make himself available for harder-to-fill shifts, like nights, weekends and holidays. Bill estimates that he’s responded to well over 100 local disaster calls, most of which are home fires.

“I’ll go just about anywhere there’s a need,” he said.

He has also deployed to national disasters twice – once to Mississippi after a series of tornados displaced hundreds of people, and once to San Diego, California to help with flooding. On national deployments, as well as locally should the need arise, Bill volunteers with the Mass Care, Sheltering, Feeding and Disaster Assessment teams.

Bill says that his favorite part about working with the Red Cross is the camaraderie and teamwork among the volunteers.

“You know that everyone is so sincere. You don’t do this kind of work unless you want to,” he said.

He is also grateful for the opportunity to comfort those in need.

“The ability to help some people at their most vulnerable times is so rewarding, and that keeps me going,” he shared.

Bill has some words of wisdom for those looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity.

“If you’re looking to join an organization that truly is at the frontline of helping people, the Red Cross is for you. You can give care and comfort to people who really need you,” he said.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.