Pesterfield Joins East Tennessee Red Cross as Disaster Program Specialist

By Mariwyn Evans, American Red Cross volunteer

James Pesterfield, a life-long resident of Blount County, has joined the East Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross as a Disaster Program Specialist. He will be responsible for working with volunteers and government partners in preparation, response and recovery efforts for the 14 counties served by the chapter. The disaster response team of about 72 disaster action volunteers and eight individual disaster care caseworkers respond to home fires, flooding and other disasters. An additional 83 mass care volunteers and caseworkers support victims and help them find housing, food and replacements for necessary medications or oxygen in the days and weeks following a disaster. 

“A big part of my job is meetings and training sessions with volunteers,” says Pesterfield. “Volunteering during a disaster can be stressful, so I try to make sure my team is confident they know their jobs before they go into the field.” 

Recruiting and retaining volunteers is made much easier by the “approachable, family atmosphere” of the East Tennessee chapter, notes Pesterfield. “Our entire office maintains an open-door policy so volunteers can come in with questions or just to say ‘hello’.” During Covid-19 restrictions, the ‘open door’ was virtual, but now “I’m so glad we are back working disasters in person and that volunteers can just drop by,” he says.  

Although Pesterfield only began his new job in late January, he brings a wealth of experience to the position. For two years, he had worked as a volunteer in the disaster relief, partnering with his supervisor Kristin Rice, manager of the Disaster Program. “James truly lives up to the Red Cross mission to serve others and to help our team grow. I am so excited to bring him on as a Disaster Program Specialist,” says Rice. 

Pesterfield’s background as an Emergency Medical Technician also gives him a unique understanding of his new position. “Until I was injured, I used to work on an ambulance for a 24-hour shift. It teaches you how to handle tricky situations and compartmentalize your feelings. I try to have frank conversations with our volunteers so that they will be prepared for the trauma they may face and be less stressed,” he says. 

Pesterfield believes his long history with the Red Cross is also a plus in his new position. In 2009, he began volunteering with the Medical Response Team at University of Tennessee football games, eventually becoming program coordinator. “We are responsible for more than 102,000 fans and 3,000 to 4,000 staff at each home game,” he says. Two years ago, when the program was taken over by the university, Pesterfield shifted his Red Cross volunteering to disaster management. He still oversees first-aid at UT football games as an independent contractor.  

How does he de-stress from his demanding new job? “I go over scenarios with my wife,” he says. “And I take a day off to go hiking or camping. You must have a healthy outlet and know when to take a break.”