Volunteer Service
Dana's volunteer life has been an extremely rewarding adventure for them. They have helped many people and have made a difference that has saved lives. Some of their volunteer positions were not the typical way people volunteer because some of their work was at times extremely dangerous. Many think volunteers do not hold the same abilities or professionalism as paid counterparts in various fields; however, in Dana's experience, they say otherwise. Dana highly recommends that you take up a volunteer position and see for yourself how rewarding it can be. You might make an enormous difference in someone’s life. Dana is considering another volunteer venture in the future.
American Red Cross
Disaster Service
From 1987 to 1991, Dana was with the American Red Cross, Disaster Services in Boston. In 1992-1996 Dana rejoined them in Concord California. Dana served on several national disasters like Floods in Massachusetts, Hurricane Andrew and more. They were a Disaster Action Team leader and a Communications Coordinator. Dana helped build the new radio room at the Concord, California Office. This consisted of 100-foot retractable tower, several radios, including a transceiver and antenna system to use a gestational satellite over the Galapagos Islands. Dana also did a presentation about the American Red Cross communication systems at Pacificon, which is Northern California's premier amateur radio convention. Dana received the Exceptional Service Award for their exceptional service with the American Red Cross.
CALSTAR,
California Shock Trauma Air Rescue
New England Missing
Persons Bureau
From 1983 to1991, Dana was one of four founding members of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid. This origination was set up to provide support type services to police, fire, and other emergency organizations. As the organization grew, they narrowed their focus to search and rescue, missing person’s investigations, and search management. The organization merged with some other like-minded groups and individuals to form the New England Missing Persons Bureau (NEMPB). Dana served as the Chief of Recovery Specialist and as a missing person’s investigator. Dana's position was to manage the day-to-day operations of the agency. The NEMPB was the leading organization for investigating, search management and locating missing people in the New England States. The NEMPB worked on several high-profile cases including the search for Sarah Pryor, Mellissa Benoit, James Bernardo, and countless others. As the NEMPB's reputation grew they were being referred to other law enforcement agencies by the Boston office of the FBI. Dana also personally worked with the U.S. State Department on a case of a U.S. citizen who was missing abroad. The NEMPB received many accolades from heads of law enforcement, including the Director of the FBI, William Sessions. They worked on cases big and small with remarkable success. The NEMPB had about a 98% success rate locating missing people.
In 1996 Dana helped create CALSTAR's (California Shock Trauma Air Rescue) volunteer program; known as Support Services. Dana served as the Director of the program from 1996 to 1999. Then rejoined them from 2000 to 2006 as a Support Services Specialist. Support Services provided ground support to the flight crews, set up and secured landing zones at public events, educated the public on CALSTAR and EMS helicopters. Dana also did graphic design and was an advisor on radio communications. One of his designs for a kiddy t-shirt was made into a plush toy. This toy was given to children flown by CALSTAR. Dana also assisted in the planning of CALSTARS' involvement in the San Francisco's International Airport (SFO) Disaster Drill as well as the Buchanan Field (CCR) Airport disaster drill. Dana participated with the crew of CALSTAR One at the SFO drill and did a patient load simulation with a mock victim. One of the benefits of being a volunteer was that we had flight privileges as observers.
National Security Academy
From 2011-2012, Dana volunteered to help a friend with his security training school. National Security Academy was a licensed under the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Service, as a training facility. Classes included: guard card / weapons of mass destruction, baton and the use of firearms. Their role was as the Office Manager, but he did far more than just manage the office affairs.
Dana's work included developing and the creation of training materials for students. Dana researched industry trends and other training materials to add to the curriculum. Dana produced the company’s marketing materials, logos, created and maintained the web site, and managed the online calendar. Dana answered phones and provided customer service to current and future students. Dana helped set up the classroom and checked students in and collected payments. At the weapons firing range he would assist the Director with the set up and safety of the range while the students were firing weapons, some for the first time. Dana also maintained the company’s computer network and other technologies. The business was successful and growing but due to the Directors wife's unfortunate failing health, he had to close the business and tend to her needs.
Keith Nicholas
For Worcester County Sheriff Campaign
In 2010 Dana was recruited for the Keith Nicholas for Worcester County Sheriff campaign. Dana served as the Marketing Director and as such they would produce all the campaign advertising mediums, e.g., banners, post cards, web banners, campaign buttons, logos and more. Dana also participated in the field with canvassing, obtaining nomination signatures, parades, speeches and whatever was needed. Unfortunately the campaign was unsuccessful, but it was illuminating to see how the political process works.
Harvest Festival
In 2008 Dana was recruited by a friend to manage security operations for a three-day annual festival. As the Chief of Security Dana developed the standard operating procedures and trained the security staff each year. Dana managed the events daily security activities to ensure that proper protocols were followed. Dana also designed the security t-shirts used in 2009-2012 and the newest shirts introduced in 2013. In 2013 they did have a weather emergency to contend with, but with pre-planning and quick action security staff saved the day.
From 2013-2017. Dana was also requested to have a second hat as the festival's Assistant Director. In that role Dana became the most senior volunteer and the new Director wanted Dana to assist because they had a vast working knowledge of the event.
Dana also had other duties such as graphic design of marketing materials, designed and maintained the event's web site. Dana attended planning meetings and he transforms decisions into actions. Having the many skills that Dana mastered, it benefited this event because they saved a small fortune on Dana's services as a volunteer.
VEST
Dana is part of the State of California Department of Social Services, Disaster Services Branch, Volunteer Emergency Services Team. This is a volunteer but paid position. This means Dana has volunteered in addition to their regular state job duties to be deployed for disasters.
VEST members may be deployed to CDSS Department Operations Center or to another operation anywhere in California where the need exists. Some of these operations include disaster shelters and Local Assistance Centers. Deployments are for a minimum of five days and a maximum of 15 days, depending upon the mission. Sometimes VEST members are asked to deploy in a matter of hours of first notification.
Dana has been deployed twice to the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, State Operations Center to serve on the Shelter Task Force. One was for one of the largest drills in the state, Urban Shield, and the other was for the 2019 wildland fires.
Missing Persons Bureau
Dana has always had a passion for working in the missing person's field. A niche that Dana and their colleagues filled in the late 80's and early 90's in the New England States. More recently Dana has entered on a small scale. Dana maintains a Facebook missing persons information page and a web page. Dana also has consulted on a few Sacramento area missing persons cases. Dana hopes to expand on this as they like to help people in need. www.missingpersonsbureau.org