Chris Harmon

Posted online May 18, 2006 | 11:00 pm

Chris Harmon’s position with the American Red Cross requires him to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Harmon is director of emergency services for the Red Cross, where he “coordinates and ensures effective delivery of 24-hour response to all recurrent and nonrecurrent disasters and Armed Forces Emergency Service in a 16 county area.”

Harmon also reviews and evaluates operations, provides input on departmental budgets and activities, and supervises staff and volunteers.

Harmon feels his most important accomplishment to date is his “current position at the Red Cross and relationship with the volunteers,” and he hopes to be an executive director of a Red Cross Chapter in the near future.

Harmon said his previous director, Scott Emerson, currently the senior associate for response, gave him important professional advice: “Never assume anything when it comes to disaster relief.”

When he needs help in a difficult situation, Harmon also turns to current director Debi Meeds, “because of her knowledge and life experiences. She is a compassionate and professional leader that will give you her honest opinion.”

Harmon used the advice of his leaders and his personal experience to coordinate a response to meet the needs of 1,600 families during hurricane Katrina.

“I invited all of our partner agencies and coordinated a unified effort to provide a one-stop shop to families fleeing to our area,” Harmon said. “This was a great success for the American Red Cross and the city of Springfield because it brought all of us together.”

In addition to his Red Cross involvement, he has worked on the Jack Frost Run/Walk, Spring Ring Phone-A-Thon and several golf tournaments.

Born: 1973

What’s the No. 1 thing you’ve not yet accomplished that you’re working toward? Children

What book do you currently have open? Who has time to read with all of these tornadoes?

Quote to live by: "You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space." – Johnny Cash[[In-content Ad]]