By Alison Votaw, American Red Cross Communications Volunteer

For 35 years, Vicki Dellone wore a badge with the Fresno Police Department, dedicating her career to protecting and serving her community. Retirement could have marked the end of that chapter. Instead, it opened the door to a new one.

Today, Vicki serves as a Disaster Action Team Supervisor for the American Red Cross, continuing a lifetime of service — this time in red instead of blue.

“We help your neighbors, your friends, and maybe you.”

Growing up, Vicki remembers seeing the Red Cross responding to national disasters.  Now, as she witnesses the organization’s local impact firsthand, she’s made it her mission to educate others about the Red Cross. She joined the Disaster Action Team (DAT), and her passion for helping people recover from home fires has only grown stronger with each response.

In Fresno, Vicki responds to home fires alongside the Disaster Action Team (DAT), helping families navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives. With each call, her commitment to serving others has only deepened.

“We’re a team, and I’m never alone.”

The Fresno DAT team may be small, but their impact reaches across the community day and night. When families face the devastation of losing their home to a fire, volunteers arrive ready to offer comfort, practical support and compassion.

Vicki and fellow supervisor Vickie Mora help welcome and mentor new Disaster Action Team members, encouraging them as they begin their own Red Cross journeys. Together, the team provides wraparound support that can include financial assistance, spiritual care and temporary housing to help families find their footing after tragedy.

For Vicki, the work is deeply personal because every response is about people first.

“Sometimes all they need is a hug.”

Over the years, Vicki has witnessed the relief families feel when Red Cross volunteers arrive. In moments filled with uncertainty, fear and loss, that simple presence can remind someone they are not alone. Some of the most meaningful gestures are also the simplest.

“It’s the little everyday moments.”

Local quilters throughout the community create handmade blankets for families affected by home fires. Vicki says some of the most powerful moments happen when a volunteer wraps someone in one of those quilts — offering not just warmth, but comfort and hope.

She recalls meeting someone who had received a Red Cross blanket as a teenager after experiencing a fire. Years later, they still remembered the feeling of being cared for during one of the most difficult moments of their life.

For Vicki, those moments are reminders that even small acts of kindness can leave lasting impressions.

Vicki now works alongside two other former first responders, John and Jose Martinez, who also found a second chapter of service with the Red Cross. Together, they continue supporting their community through disaster response, local events and preparedness efforts.

She hopes other retired first responders recognize that their experience, compassion and leadership are still needed.

“You still have more to give.”

“There’s always a place for first responders here,” Vicki said. “A place where they can continue to serve and make a difference.”

“You never know how long your impact will be.”

Every day, volunteers like Vicki stand ready to respond to home fires 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When the call comes, they go — bringing support, compassion and hope to neighbors facing unimaginable loss.

For Vicki, serving others has never just been a job title. It’s part of who she is.

And for anyone wondering whether they still have something to give to their community, her story offers a powerful reminder: your next chapter of service could be just beginning.

If you’re looking for your own way to make a difference, volunteer with the American Red Cross and join a team where every action — big or small — can change a life.