Like many Red Cross volunteers, David Gonzalez decided he wanted to help others as a result of the September 11 attacks. He chose to become a Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer because, "I wanted to do hands-on direct helping.”

In the spring of 2002, David signed up with the Queens Disaster Action Team (DAT)—trained volunteers who respond to emergencies throughout Queens. David immediately loved the work, later becoming a DAT co-captain. In 2005, David was made a DAT team leader and has been volunteering for two shifts every other week since then.

A Family Affair

David, 43, a life-long New York City resident, lives in Woodhaven, Queens, with his wife Linda. When not volunteering, he works as a gastroenterology technician at Manhattan's New York Presbyterian Hospital. After David started volunteering, Linda, 40, expressed interest in the work. He encouraged her to volunteer; eventually, she too joined the DAT. They now share the same volunteer shifts and respond to an average of two emergencies per shift. David said, “You're always proud of your spouse, but most people don’t get to see their spouse in this light.”

Responding to Calls

As a DAT captain, David ensures that there’s adequate staff coverage for each shift and that clients receive the emergency relief they need, including comfort kits, blankets and housing, as well as direct emergency assistance for additional food and clothing. He also performs damage assessments on homes affected by disaster.

One weekend on-call, David responded to a building vacate during his Friday night shift. He distributed personal care items to those affected, and worked one-on-one with residents who had to evacuate, ensuring each person would be supported based on their needs. That Sunday, David was awoken at 3:30 a.m. with a request to assist with a devastating 6-alarm fire in Far Rockaway that had forced residents from their homes that frigid night. There, David made calls to ensure adequate staffing for the Red Cross to help support the 129 residents who needed food, comfort and a warm place to stay. Several hours later, David’s focus turned to help handle the Red Cross response to other disasters that same evening, one of which was a fire in Brooklyn.

“When someone wears that red jacket, it’s like a magnet or a beacon,” said David. “I think people look to that in times of disaster….Wearing that jacket and being a part of the Red Cross means you know how to help people.”

Why Volunteer?

“Just giving somebody a blanket when it’s cold—it’s so basic, and they are so grateful,” David said. “We see people in need. We may think of it as a fire, but that’s that person’s 9/11, so to speak; their life is not the same. We help them get through the crisis.” As a DAT captain, Gonzalez wants to set an example for new volunteers. “When I see new team members learning their roles and taking on more responsibilities, that is a good feeling, that I have passed my experience on to someone else.” What truly inspires David are the clients. “Unfortunately, there will always be a need for what we do at the Red Cross—a next fire, building vacate or building collapse. For me, it’s always that next client who inspires me to keep going.”