From nuclear power to neighborhood safety, Jude Fledderman has spent his life preparing communities before emergencies strike
By Mason Hodges, Red Cross Communications Volunteer
From operating utilities at a nuclear power plant to teaching engineering at Cal Poly, Jude Fledderman has worn many hats in his lifetime, but it’s his passion for service and his love for the outdoors that truly define him.
In his free time, Jude enjoys pickleball, traveling, swimming, fishing, and spending time with his four adult children. Since retiring in 2021, Jude now dedicates countless hours to volunteering with several nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross.
Jude currently serves as a wildfire preparedness volunteer for the Red Cross in San Luis Obispo County. His role involves visiting homes to educate residents about wildfire safety, prevention and emergency planning. Since the program’s first trial inspection in March 2025, Jude has conducted more than 50 visits to help his neighbors prepare for the threat of wildfires.
Jude began his Red Cross journey after volunteering with All Hands and Hearts, an organization that helps communities, especially youth, recover after disasters. He traveled with them to Paradise, California, where he helped rebuild homes and restore public spaces for a few months following the devastating Camp Fire. Jude says, “You definitely could see the devastation. It’s for sure mind-boggling.” During this trip, Jude saw a motorcycle melted to the ground. “We did a repair one time of a baseball field up there, and there was nothing left but the fence.” Those experiences led him to getting more involved with disaster relief organizations.
When asked what motivated him to join the wildfire preparedness team, Jude explained, “I was interested when I heard they had a program like this, and obviously, on the central coast, we are vulnerable.” The threat of risk in his local community fueled his passion to serve. “I’ve seen locally, homesteads at times are at risk just because residents either don’t necessarily have the bandwidth or the knowledge of what to do with their homes.”
That’s where organizations like the Red Cross come in. A typical wildfire safety visit for Jude takes about 30 minutes. Two Red Cross responders begin by walking around the property, identifying potential hazards in the defensible space. Common risks include overgrown grass, dead plants and unpruned trees.
After the assessment, the team writes a risk report and offers advice to help improve the home’s safety. Homeowners also receive resources that go beyond defensible space, covering emergency plans, evacuation procedures and how to assemble a go-kit. If needed, the team will even install new smoke alarms to prevent home fires.
To provide the most accurate and helpful information, Jude has worked alongside CAL FIRE to strengthen the wildfire preparedness program’s materials. “When we did our first trial inspection back in March, we took CAL FIRE and the Fire Chief with us so that we were all aligned.” Jude hopes this collaboration helps the program come across as credible, friendly and knowledgeable to the community.
Jude says residents have responded positively following the visits and often refer their neighbors after experiencing the service. “The most rewarding thing is in all cases, they’re extremely appreciative that we spend the time to share with them what to do to make their house more defensible and minimize the risk of impact.” Disaster can strike at any time, and being unprepared can make navigating a difficult situation even worse.
Jude continues to serve his community by helping families reduce wildfire risk and prepare for emergencies. His work reflects a deep commitment to safety, education and resilience.
His volunteer supervisor, Jessica Hodge, shared, “Jude has become a key leader in our Disaster Cycle Service team. He opened and supported every shelter in SLO County this year and played a major role in distributing emergency supplies after the 2024 floods. He also took on preparedness presentations and leads outreach events. He leads our Wildfire preparedness team. He brings new energy and enthusiasm to the SLO office. He is a natural leader and an amazing asset to the Red Cross.”
When asked to summarize his experience with the Red Cross, Jude didn’t hesitate. He chose the phrase “Make a difference.” It’s a simple message, but one that reflects the heart of his work: helping families prepare for disaster, protect their homes and feel safer in the face of uncertainty. Through every home visit, every conversation and every partnership, Jude is living that message.
If you’re ready to make a difference in your own community, be better prepared for disasters by taking steps to prepare, giving blood, taking a class in lifesaving skills like CPR, or becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to learn more today.
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