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FEDERALSBURG – True to its name, Quick Reaction Force Inc. hustled down to western North Carolina to help folks displaced by the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Helene in early October.
The Federalsburg-based non-profit, was founded by Marine veteran and retired police detective Erik Peterson. “I really want us to be a representation of what the Shore is, which is just a small, caring community,” he said.
When he retired after a 25-year career in law enforcement in January 2023, Peterson, 51, immediately launched the disaster relief to deploy nimble, specialized response teams.
Peterson is CEO of the disaster relief company. “We respond to disasters of all types – from tornadoes, hurricanes, even a terror attack where there's a debris field,” he said. QRF can help with debris clean up, deliver supplies and, primarily, help pay for shelter for displaced people.
“I named the company after a military saying,” he said. “If there's a disaster somewhere, people need help. We're going to be their QRF.”
In about 18 months, QRF has responded to 28 disasters in 13 states, beginning in April 2023 with the tornado that tore through farmland close to home near Bridgeville, Delaware. One man died when his home was struck.
Even closer to home, in July QRF assisted seven families displaced by an apartment building fire in Federalsburg, posting on Facebook, “All 7 families have received some sort of relief either supplies like clothing, diapers, shoes, monetary assistance or in the form of gift cards for food, hotel or moving cost.”
One of QRF’s objectives is to respond quickly with expertise, so Peterson’s method is to send out email or text blasts to vetted and trained current or retired first responders. Those who understand rules of evidence can act as a force multiplier for autism or Alzheimers “walk-offs” or as adjuncts to secure an area following a critical incident.
“Let's say there's a 20-mile police chase, and … they think (criminals) threw out a loaded gun or a bag of fentanyl … that we don't want some 10-year-old kid (picking up),” Peterson said. “So, if the police want some extra manpower, they are welcome to call me (if they) need extra people to walk the streets.”
Sometimes, the response has been a “pinprick” involving helping one person in need. Some, like the mission to a handful of rural communities in and around Old Fort, North Carolina, require a larger effort.
“I have a bit of a soft spot for smaller towns and rural areas,” Peterson said. “A place like Old Fort – they only have 818 people in their town and everything's wiped out.”
Normally narrow rivers and creeks in the mountainous area became raging torrents, wiping out even whole towns. Peterson emptied QRF’s storage building as soon as he did his homework and found a well-organized distribution effort at Glenwood Baptist Church near Old Fort.
“The whole point is that we can get there first, or we can get there relatively quickly, while (large organizations) … are activating their people, figuring out how they're going to move all their supplies down there – which they're all very good at – but it takes time to do all that,” he said.
“I think with my Marine Corps background and my police background, I don't get overwhelmed too much, because in those 30 years of service I've seen a lot,” Peterson said. The disaster area in North Carolina reminded him of a war zone. But in three days, he talked to residents on the ground, delivered supplies, helped where he could and donated $1,000 to Old Fort Elementary School when two teachers, whose home next door was damaged, refused to accept a donation for themselves.
“So, it does leave you with a feeling of, ‘Man, I wish I could do so much more,’ but you just have to tell yourself you're doing what you can do right now,” he said.
Peterson is quick to credit his sponsors and acknowledges them often with hashtags on his Facebook posts. Peterson, who is Commander of VFW Post 5246 in Federalsburg, was named the National Disaster chairman of the Maryland Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
A grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development funds operating costs, allowing 100% of donations to go directly to disaster victims.
Local organizations and churches have helped supply tarps for roofs, throw blankets, small pillows, diapers and wipes, Depends, clothing of all sizes and nonperishable food like energy bars. Tractor Supply in Seaford donates gallons of water and resupplies when QRF’s inventory is depleted.
“I want to be a good steward of my sponsors’ money,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s just about doing good.”
As a former detective, Peterson understands the importance of carefully vetting foundations and organizations when QRF responds off-site.
A desire to serve is embedded in Peterson’s DNA. His grandfather served in World War II, his maternal uncle was a medevac pilot in the Vietnam War, and his father Bill was a senior officer in the Air Force, working in intelligence for the Air Force, the CIA and NSA. Bill and his wife Jean live in Denton. Peterson said his mother’s kind heart and community service has inspired him, as well.
Peterson himself served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years active duty and four in the Reserves. Most of his law enforcement career has been with the narcotics and K-9 units of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office. He has worked with high intensity drug units throughout the state and country.
Peterson’s wife Melinda is a registered nurse from a Caroline County farming family. Together, they have a blended family of five children: two recent college grads, two still in college and the youngest a junior at Colonel Richardson High School.
Peterson’s passion for QRF’s mission is evident in the stories he shares of the victims he’s helped and the gratitude they feel for a rural Eastern Shore community’s compassion.
But perhaps more eloquent are the tattoos covering his burly biceps depicting warriors past and present, and meaningful quotes, including, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
“That's kind of the one that I live by,” he said.
