Julie Frim, a Disaster Specialist for the Red Cross, moved to Richland County in 2012 bringing an optimistic yet serious demeanor to conversations about local training and national disaster relief.
Julie Frim is a Native American, and lived on a Reservation in Canada until her parents, who were teachers there, adopted her. Their family moved back to their home state of Ohio in 1987, to the suburbs of Columbus in Nowanchester. Frim dedicated herself to helping others, first as a volunteer with the Red Cross. She got involved with disaster relief, and was there in 2007 to respond to the people of Fairfield County after an ice storm. She knew she would continue helping people all her life. Frim said, “I can do this. I can see the potential in myself, and how much heart I could put into that scenario. You’re drawn to what you’re passionate about,” she stated. Frim then went on to become an intern with The American Red Cross in Columbus, as she attended college with a communications and marketing major. Listening to her, it becomes clear how vital good communication is to the organization, both locally and as a whole. “Communication helps us utilize our resources to full capacity.” Richland County chapter of the Red Cross is a surplus station for all of North East Ohio, a 22 county region. Restructuring within the Red Cross two years ago has led to some more efficient use of their resources. The surplus station in Richland contains flats of bottled water, for example, which do expire if not used. By housing all of the supplies for the 22 county region in Richland, the area as a whole can assess the need and distribute accordingly in a timely manner.
“You know, I almost hate to say it, but disasters are always going to be here,” said Frim. They’re making sure Richland County volunteers are properly trained, and it is an important part of her job. “You will be able to go out and respond. It’s about keeping up with your training and the organization as we reengineer our mission and who we are.” Frim further commented, about how the organization reengineers, relying mostly on communication. “In reporting to upper chain of command, our resources are very valued.”
Community involvement is not only a necessity for the Red Cross, and Frim highlighted how Richland County is special. “The biggest thing that impacted me was how a church, or another person, or family member jumps in to help after disaster,” stated Frim. “I certainly have a broader perspective than most,” she said, in reference to her Native American background, “I think people respect me for that, bringing my history.” She mentions what she sees in Richland County. “We have small, special, culturally diverse towns here.” And though Frim has only been in Mansfield since 2012, she is happy about the progress made at the organization. “I feel like I’ve done some to build the passion, the values and the mission of the Red Cross.”
To those interested in Disaster Services, there is a Disaster Overview Class, and then specialized training: Shelter Management, Emergency Nourishment, Mental Health (to those licensed), and a Government Liaison Track. After this training, Disaster Action Teams respond to fires in the area, a rotating group of teams which are on call 24/7 to respond, in tandem with the Fire Departments. “These teams help families get situated for a couple of days,” stated Frim. And with this kind of experience, with the training and direct help implemented in our local community, National Deployment with Disaster Response becomes possible.
As a representative who started as an intern in Columbus, Frim’s perspective on Richland County offers refreshing insight to the differences into small city life. “It’s easier to do here. Larger cities can be so disconnected sometimes. Here I just cross the street and talk to the chief.”
