Tags4Lives: Supporting the People Who Respond

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When an emergency turns into an extended shift, even basic needs like water, food, and clean socks can become a challenge. In this episode of the Disaster Podcast, co-hosts Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis welcome Hannah Cornett and Luke Croston from Tags4Lives, a nonprofit helping communities support the people who respond when disaster strikes.

Their approach starts with a relationship. By working directly with departments before an emergency, Tags4Lives identifies what personnel need and establishes a process for getting requested supplies into their hands without disrupting operations.

Hannah explains how the organization prepares supply packs for different weather conditions and assignments. Items can include water, granola bars, socks, sunscreen, and first aid supplies, with departments helping determine what makes sense for their crews. In-kind donations, grants, and private support help make that work possible.

Drawing on her wildland fire experience, Sam shares why coordination matters. Well-intentioned donations can create extra work when the food or supplies don’t fit the situation. Establishing relationships ahead of time helps turn community generosity into practical assistance that responders can actually use.

Hannah describes how that process has worked in Northeast Ohio, including providing water to fire, public works, and parks departments during hot weather. Getting the system in place before supplies are needed allows departments to request support when conditions change or a routine workday stretches into a prolonged response.

Luke brings an important public works perspective to the conversation. Responding to tornadoes, water main breaks, and other emergencies helped him recognize his department’s role as first responders. Public works employees keep essential infrastructure functioning and help restore the services a community depends on after a disaster. Their crews face long hours and unexpected assignments, and they need support, too.

There’s also a personal element in every appreciation bag. Hannah describes including handwritten messages of gratitude from the public, including messages written on aluminum tags. Alongside the practical supplies, those notes offer a reminder that someone recognizes the work these crews are doing. Jamie reflects on how meaningful that connection can be during a difficult response.

The conversation returns to a lesson that applies across disaster preparedness: build relationships before the emergency. Tags4Lives gives community members a coordinated way to help, while allowing departments to guide the support their personnel receive.

Listen as Hannah and Luke share how their program works, why public works belongs in the responder support conversation, and how a few practical supplies paired with a personal thank-you can make a difference during a long shift.

Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.