Wyoming Tribal Leader Trains Locals to Save Lives

When disaster strikes in Fremont County, Wyoming, help has always come from somewhere else. Carol Harper is changing that by training neighbors to become the first responders their community desperately needs.

Harper, a Northern Arapaho Tribe member and Riverton resident, serves as the Red Cross of Wyoming's community partnership lead. She focuses on bringing disaster training and resources to underserved areas that have been overlooked for too long.

Right now, she's training with the Disaster Action Team herself. She knows from experience that rural communities can't keep waiting hours for responders to drive in from other parts of the state.

For Harper, volunteering isn't about getting credit. It's about showing up when your neighbors need you most.

"There is comfort in knowing that when someone calls 911, help is on the way," she said. "The Red Cross is that next layer of response."

Her approach to building local capacity is refreshingly practical. She tells potential volunteers to forget about being everything to everyone.

"Find the one thing you can do and do it well," Harper said. "Many people doing one thing is far better than one person trying to do everything."

The Ripple Effect

Harper's work matters beyond disaster response. The Red Cross relies on volunteers for 90 percent of its workforce, meaning ordinary people power extraordinary help during emergencies.

Volunteer opportunities range from supporting families after house fires to helping military members during crises to ensuring blood banks stay stocked. Each role fills a critical gap in community safety.

Janet Lewis, executive director of the Red Cross of Wyoming, says volunteers provide relief and hope when families face their darkest moments. That support becomes even more powerful when it comes from someone who understands local challenges firsthand.

Harper's focus on tribal communities and rural areas creates pathways for regions that have historically struggled to access emergency resources. By training locals, she's ensuring that help comes from people who know the land, understand the culture, and genuinely care about their neighbors' wellbeing.

Wyoming communities are discovering that disaster preparedness starts at home, one trained volunteer at a time.