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'It's scary': Volunteers headed to California to help with fire relief

The Red Cross volunteers say the consoling aspect of their job is often overlooked.
Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel
A firefighting DC-10 makes a fire retardant drop over a wildfire in the mountains near Malibu Canyon Road in Malibu, Calif. on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018.

FAIRFAX, Va. -- While thousands of families flee fires in California, one group is preparing to head toward the disaster.

“I have to be honest with you, it’s scary,” said volunteer, Dr. Paul Klink.

Dozens of Red Cross volunteers from across the country spent Monday night training in Fairfax.

While the organization is known for providing food and emergency shelter, the volunteers also spent time reviewing potential scenarios they’ll likely encounter, mapping out resources available in many towns and preparing to manage hundreds of other volunteers on the ground.

However, their biggest responsibility within minutes of landing in California is comforting those who watched their home and cars burn. “All that is now gone. Gone. Every bit of it down to the last thread of carpet or floor tile,” said Dr. Klink.

RELATED: How to help California fire victims

The Red Cross volunteers say the consoling aspect of their job is often overlooked.

“We just have to be there to give them a hug,” said volunteer, Mary Lockett.

The volunteers typically spend weeks at disaster sites.

Training wraps up for this group Thursday and that’s when they’ll find out if or when they're heading to California.

Some volunteers have already been deployed.

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