Northeast Tennessee Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Brice - August 2018

If you have been around the Northeast TN Red Cross for almost any reason, you have probably met Jim Brice, a disaster volunteer since 1999. Jim says he was sitting around home recovering from open heart surgery and thought – I need to get out of the house and volunteer! He found his way to the local American Red Cross office, was interviewed, and began what would become a 19-year adventure!

Currently Jim is the volunteer Fleet Manager for the local chapter. In this role, he watches over a fleet of five vehicles including the ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) and nine Disaster Supply Trailers that are located strategically across Northeast Tennessee. This job involves ensuring maintenance is done, safety checks are completed, and all vehicles are ready for instant use. When the trailers are used in a disaster, they must be inventoried and restocked. This is no small job and Jim had done it well. Luckily for the Chapter, he is in the process of training his replacement since he is retiring the end of July!

What has kept Jim involved for 19 years is the satisfaction that comes from helping people.  He says he loves the feeling of giving back to his community.  He loves seeing the expression on people’s faces when he drives up with food. And Jim has done that many, many times over his career with the Red Cross. Jim’s favorite job is Mass Care – this means he has served meals from the ERV on 35 deployments to disasters in other states and too many local disaster situations to count. He has served in all types of disasters – floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes – he has seen them all. Occasionally Jim has served as LSAP: Life, Safety and Asset Protection - an internal security volunteer – making sure shelters and supplies are safe and personnel operate in safe environments.  He much prefers working in Mass Care and meeting and helping people.

When asked what he has liked the most – he quickly responds – the people – finding out about them, putting them at ease, and helping in any way he can. You can’t be around Jim very long and not realize how much he likes people!

What is his recommendation to a new volunteer? “Do whatever job you are assigned to the best of your ability, put your heart into it and you will receive back much satisfaction knowing you are helping your community.”

Not only does Jim serve in Mass Care and Feeding on disasters; he often cooks at the Chapter House for the staff and other volunteers. It is not unusual to find 8-10 people sitting around the table in the kitchen enjoying some of Jim’s soup beans, cornbread or homemade banana pudding.

What will Jim be doing when he retires later this month? He says he will be spending more time at home and working with his church. Jim has seven grandchildren, so spending time with his extended family will be a priority!

Jim was honored at the most recent Annual Meeting with two awards – “The Golden Spatula Award” – for his work as Mass Care Lead; and the Clara Barton Outstanding Volunteer Award. Jim will be missed around the Northeast TN Chapter. He did share that while he is not going to be filling the administrative roles and regular assignments – he expects he might show up to help with feeding in a disaster, if needed. Once helping others through the Red Cross “gets in your blood” it is hard to stay away!