In this episode of Rutherford Issues, host Bryan Barrett sits down with John Mitchell, Executive Director of the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross. Following a severe ice storm that impacted Middle Tennessee—including Rutherford, Hickman, and Davidson counties—Mitchell shares an inside look at the massive coordination required to keep the community safe.
From standing up emergency shelters in under an hour to the vital collaboration with the Salvation Army and local emergency management, this conversation highlights the backbone of disaster relief: volunteers. John also discusses the ongoing debris cleanup in Nashville and how local organizations can become official Red Cross shelter partners.
Key Topics Covered:
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Disaster Recap: Reflections on the 2026 ice storm and how it compared to the historic storm of 1994.
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The Power of Volunteers: Why 90% of Red Cross activity is driven by people who simply want to give back.
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Heroes Luncheon: Details on the upcoming event on March 12th at MTSU, honoring local figures like John Floyd and Terry Schneider Smith.
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Blood Donor Urgency: Information on upcoming blood drives, including a specialized Sickle Cell drive on February 16th.
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How to Support: Understanding that the Red Cross is congressionally mandated but not federally funded, relying entirely on generous donor dollars.
