Ripple Effects

Camp Gruber - Braggs, OK

As so many of us are doing this week, I have been spending odd moments here and there thinking back to the events following Hurricane Katrina’s arrival in Louisiana.  My previous post covered a few memories tied to my work on the chapter-side of the event.  But beginning on September 5^th, 2005 – I began working the response at the evacuee shelter that was established in Oklahoma at Camp Gruber.  Comparing the two views is almost like comparing the inside of a box to the outside….part of the same whole, yet very different.

Much of what I recall tends to come back to me in vignettes – little snapshots of feelings, observations, actions or inactions – so I think that’s how I’ll share them here. 

My first few hours on the ground at Camp Gruber were actually somewhere in the neighborhood of Day 3 of the shelter operation.  The evacuees had arrived on the 3^rd in the middle of the night – on 30+ buses – one of which was full of animals.  Things were not going very smoothly on many avenues, so several Red Cross staff members were dispatched to the location to take stock of the operation and see what needed to be changed to improve our functionality.  Chaos does not even begin to describe the feel of the site.  It was hot that day – and the first thing we noticed was the unbelievably long line of people waiting to get into the mess hall for lunch.   Phone calls, quick visits with the staff inside, many bottles of water to those waiting, and a stint helping assemble sandwiches to move things along, and we moved to the next “fire”.

That’s when the snapshots sort of begin.  I was assigned to an area of responsibility that I had been contemplating pursuing (Liaison) but hadn’t made the leap just yet.  The leap was made that day…with both feet.  I became the “Red Cross Lady” on base that others brought problems to after that day.  I learned a lot while working out there – things that might have taken me years to learn through normal channels.  About Red Cross, some of our partner agencies, the people I worked with, and of course…myself.  But I digress — snapshot time —-

Pulling into the base for the first time on my own and going through military security.  “Name?”  JoAnn Woody “Agency?” American Red Cross  “You’re not on the list, ma’am”  (Can’t begin to tell you how that felt!  Had to make a quick cell phone call to the Emergency Management contact I had inside to get cleared.  I considered that an indicator of just how much “Liaising” I had to do there.)

Sitting in a golf cart (or “mule”) with a buddy that had just arrived, on a little dirt road waiting for the Highway Patrol car coming down the road to get by before pulling out (I had the slowest cart on base, so I had to wait for a really clear path before going anywhere).  Looking around, it hit me…so I asked my friend “In what world did you ever think you’d be working a Red Cross shelter that was surrounded by barbed wire?”  Surreal…

Receiving reports from the Lead Red Cross Caseworker about a child being transported from our site to a site in Texas to join his/her parents.  The child was not even 10. 

Receiving word that the 4yr old brother of a baby born on one of the buses in transit was going to be arriving at our shelter from Texas in the next 24hours. 

Telling a mother that her 14year old son had been located, and would be arriving safely the next day in Tulsa.  He would be accompanied by Deputies in Texas until he boarded his plane, and would be escorted to our shelter by a Deputy and member of Emergency Management.  Her reaction?  “Wish he could have taken a bus so he could see some country on the way.”

Sitting at my desk talking with a co-worker and looking up to see the Gang Task Force entering the Command Post.  You really can tell when someone is wearing body armor.  (They were on the base for just a short time – and it was very early in the operation.  Evacuees suspected of gang activity were provided the assistance due them, and then provided access to other lodging options. )

Beginning one morning with a conversation with the Incident Commander (Cptn with the Highway Patrol) about whether or not there had been an assault reported the night before in one of the barracks.  Rumors had made it back to the chapter of an assault, and answers were needed post-haste.  Fortunately no incident had occurred – but rumor control became a regular activity in my daily ritual. 

Getting a request from someone on base (can’t remember now from whom…military?  Another agency?) to help a single mom who was afraid to sleep because she was so worried about her two children. She hadn’t slept in days…and was on the verge of a breakdown.  We assigned two caseworker volunteers to her children in the daycare area, and one caseworker to check in on her every hour while she slept that day.  We also worked with a couple of partner agencies to address the concern on a long-term basis.  Broke my heart —

Going to visit the “Pet Barracks” with my buddy (same one) to get some “warm fuzzy” time.  After making it by the kennels full of the very loud poodles, I saw all these very well mannered dogs of all sizes and types sitting by or on their owners beds.  Sooo cute!  Then there was a deep and very distinct “woof” near the door.  A very large white and black head flopped onto the bed – the most beautiful Harlequin Great Dane I’d ever seen!  But big too…so we backed out very slowly…

The night I got the call from a National Guardsman on base – “Is this the Red Cross Lady?”  (told ya)  “We have a situation down here at the pet building.”  Ok – what is it?  “There’s a big dog running loose dragging his chain.”  Oh no!  Is it the Great Dane?  “No ma’am.  It appears to be a Rottweiler ma’am.”  A Rottweiler?  The only one of those on the base is a puppy.  He’s just a baby…what’s the problem?  Can’t you just catch him?  “Begging your pardon ma’am…but he’s a very large puppy.  Aren’t you in charge of the pets?”  Uh….no, that’s not Red Cross’ area.  But hang on, I know his owner, and I’ll have our runners track him down.  Can you boys keep him somewhat contained for a few minutes?  “Yes ma’am – we can do that.  Thank you.”  (Now I know they were worried about him being loose, and didn’t want to have to hurt him – but the idea of having this conversation with soldiers that were indeed armed was just a bit weird.  Thankfully, the runners located the owner and the little fella was taken back to his barracks in short order.)

Coming out of a particularly tense meeting in the Command Post and heading out for a brisk walk.  The ice cream truck was on base, so that doggone melody stayed with me all day.  Ice Cream Truck?  On a military base?

Helping field requests from school dance squads, cheerleading squads, church youth groups, etc. to come out and work for a day, or entertain the residents.

Watching the Base Colonel’s face as discussions continued on how many televisions and cable hookups were needed in the barracks.  Only thing better was the whole washing machine and dryer discussion!

The nightly drive home was 45 minutes or so – great debriefing time.  I knew exactly which curve I had to go around before I had cell coverage.  The rest of the drive was spent catching up with one of my co-workers not stationed at the base, or one of my wonderful volunteers keeping up with the more “mundane” activities in town.

Being “kidnapped” by one of my volunteers – she felt I needed some quiet time, so took me on an errand with her to another part of the base.  Best 15 minutes I’d had that week!

Seeing and hearing stories of how happy and excited people were when they were able to locate family and loved ones safe and sound.

Seeing and hearing stories of the torment and sorrow of those not so fortunate.  Knowing that a family member refused to leave, and not being able to reach them in any way.  Knowing that a family member was in line just behind you getting onto the buses, but having no idea where that particular bus went…I can’t begin to imagine.

Seeing first-hand the strength and resilience in so many of those forced from their homes.  Transported to a state they did not choose.  Yet, making the most of it.  Smiles, warm greetings, singing, and just simply moving forward with their lives.

 So many snapshots – so many memories.…