Gray and Oregon Road Fires: UCC Adventist Community Services Disaster Response

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Friday evening, August 18, just hours after two massive fires, Gray and Oregon Road broke out, Spokane County Emergency Management (SCEM) reached out to Patty Marsh, director of Upper Columbia Conference Adventist Community Services.

“I received several emails that evening,” shares Marsh. “As the sun began to set, communication that evening ended with ‘stand by.’ I knew that meant you may be rapidly deployed, be ready. Throughout the last week, dozens of conversations continued.”

Then Thursday evening at 4:49 the request came to Marsh, “Can you provide eight volunteers tomorrow to greet and guide the survivors who will visit the Spokane County disaster assistance center (DAC)? We would like ACS for the full day.”

Marsh began reaching out and within an hour eight individuals had said yes to a four-hour shift. The volunteers knew that they could not relate to what the individuals experienced, but arrived with a caring, pleasant, and gracious demeanor. They spent the day supporting and uplifting the survivors, but most importantly, offering a listening ear.

After volunteering on Friday, Wendy Urbin, UCC ACS administrative assistant, was asked to oversee the DAC volunteer orientation over the weekend. With her training in spiritual and emotional care, she agreed.

“People arrived stressed and left calmer and at peace. Thank you for all your help and support,” said one SCEM administrator. “The ACS volunteers spent time with each person and made a huge difference in their life. Our leadership team all said the ACS volunteers were top-notch. I am so grateful for our partnership — sincerely!”

As of August 28, ten days after the fire, it has been reported that between both fires 21,025 acres and 366 homes have burned, and 2 lives lost. Air quality alerts after the fire reported hazardous as the AQI value hit 500, now return to moderate. Gray Fire is 85% contained and Oregon Road Fire is 79% contained.

“I want to thank Larry Mays, NPUC ACS/DR coordinator; Leonard Westermeyer, Spokane-area ACS/DR coordinator, who will take the lead in the warehouse; Richie Brower, UCC club ministries associate director; and volunteers,” said Marsh. “This is the beginning to a long-term recovery, please keep those involved in the fire in your thoughts and prayers.”

Over the next few weeks ACS/DR volunteers will continue to support the DAC, as well as assist with the fire response effort of Spokane Donations Warehouse outreach, ‘Our Place.’ If you wish to volunteer, please contact Wendy Urbin at wendyu@uccsda.org. Monetary donations can still be accepted by going to news.uccsda.org/giving.