While many are scrambling to get out of Hurricane Irma's path, one local man is preparing to fly into harm's way.

American Red Cross volunteer Ed Merians of Larchmont is preparing to fly to Orlando while millions have been encouraged to evacuate.

Merians, who has been a Red Cross volunteer for the past decade, says he is prepared to see a lot of suffering and destruction.

"Psychologically I'm prepared to see a lot of suffering, to see people who are filled with fear and don't know what's next and that's the job of the Red Cross. That's what we do," says Merians.

Merians says he doesn't fear for his life, but instead failure.

"I fear failure. I don't want to disappoint people. I know that this means a lot so I'm focused and I'm ready," he says.

Merians says he keeps pins and plaques as reminders of previous deployments.

He says when he comes back home after his forthcoming trip to Florida he only hopes for one thing.

"To be able to know that I did good. That would be wonderful," says Merians.