Ripple Effects

Tonight, I think I’ll wander off my typical path.  Oh, don’t get me wrong …I’m still gonna put something out there that is hopefully worthy of “Passing It On”…but I’m taking a different direction than what I typically post.  You see…tonight, I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.  Sitting here with one dog snoring next to me on the couch, the other lounging at my feet and hubby happily clicking away on his computer as well…Life is indeed good.  Very good.

I’m feeling especially thankful this year.  Not that I’m not thankful the rest of the time, but for some reason I’m feeling it a bit more this year.

• I’m thankful that I get to see my kids so much more than I have in years past.  After relocating in 2002 our visits became much more sporadic and infrequent.  I missed so much with them — well, let’s face it…I just plain missed them.  Last year we made the move back to the Kansas City area…and are so much closer to both the kids now.  I love knowing they can (and do) stop by just to say “hi” and chill for a bit.  Drop in for dinner, meet us for dinner a movie or whatever, come over to watch a favorite show together…sigh….good stuff! 
• I’m thankful that I get to see my husband so much more than last year.  Sounds a bit odd, huh?  But when we made the move last year, it wasn’t a complete move…lots of commuting back and forth, long days between weekends…especially during the winter months.  Boy, how I prayed for NO SNOW or ICE!  But that’s all behind us now. 
• I’m thankful that I get to be a part of both my granddaughters’ lives.  Spending time with those two little rays of sunshine means more than you could imagine.  (Although, if you’re a grandparent, you probably can!)  I love getting to see Lillian as often as I do — taking her to school, running errands, spending time in the sunroom doing “projects”, or just chilling in the TV Room watching a movie.  I’m enjoying it so much — and hope that some of the things we do will become little snippets of memories for her as she gets older.  Then there’s Kaylee.  Walking into a room and seeing her smile in recognition, or hold her arms up just asking to be picked up…yep – I’m a sucker for it!  I love thinking about the two girls getting together here…hanging with Gramma…oh the things we be able to do as a trio! 
• I’m thankful that my dogs are both healthy and enjoying life.  (Ok – anyone who knows me knew that was gonna make the list!)  A lot of time last year was spent worrying about Chy and whether or not she’d regain the use of one of her legs.  Well, I’m happy to report that she is walking and running about like she didn’t have a care in the world.  Why should she?  I’m the one doing all the worrying!  Every time I see her take off across the yard after her sister I cringe inside.  But she’s happy – having a good time tormenting Cherry just like always – she’s not speedy by any means, but she’s happy.
• I’m thankful I have the opportunity to do something I love – which is volunteer for the Red Cross.  I get to work with some amazing people, doing some amazing things for our community.  And – I have the support and encouragement of my family, which makes it possible for me to give my time and even more enjoyable. 

There’s so much more I could ramble on about — but that would make this a very long and drawn out post — not my intention at all.  But I did want to share one more thing with folks…something I saw in today’s paper, that serves as an excellent tribute to the ideal behind Thanksgiving.

(From Dear Abby’s column, dated 11/24/2010)

Oh, Heavenly Father,

We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.

We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.

We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.

May these remembrances stir us to service,

That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

(Pass it On!)

This past week, I received my small piece of “humble pie” for the month.

You see, as a Red Cross Volunteer, I occasionally respond to local residential fires to assist those who have been displaced or otherwise affected by some kind of a fire.  In this case, the fire was in a multi-family dwelling, but there was only one unit affected.  Unfortunately, that was enough…as the apartment was damaged by either fire or smoke.  Most certainly uninhabitable.

A large part of what we do is visiting – or interviewing – the client to get more information and work with them to determine what their immediate needs are.  The needs, in this case, were easily determined — lodging, food, and some appropriate clothing.  Easy enough.  Red Cross can assist with the lodging (which we did), food and clothing are easily handled through direct assistance (we did that too)…we even worked to obtain transportation to the temporary quarters and helped lay the groundwork for transportation to the office to visit a caseworker on the next business day.  Good stuff…right?   Well, yes…good stuff.

So what’s the deal, right?

While visiting with the client, the Fire Marshal came to check on us and see how things were going.  He said that his report was going to reflect that he had determined the fire was started by the electric space heater.  It seemed that the heater had been repaired at some time, with the cord being spliced – which compromised the safety of the wiring and it overheated.  Overheated spaceheater = fire.  Makes sense, and would most certainly make the Top 10 List of Home Repair No-No’s.

But what about the Top 10 List of Ways to Save Money?

While I know, and indeed preach, the importance of purchasing certified, inspected and up-to-date electrical equipment because of all the safety features,  I also remember how much money you can save if you fix it yourself, or even better…someone gives you the item that they’ve fixed and “used for years” with no problems.  See…I’ve actually re-worked the heating element on an electric dryer (not just once mind you…several times!) to keep it working without having to go buy another $20 element.  Because that $20 was nearly half my grocery budget…and cutting the grocery budget was not one of those “cuttable” areas.  So….I learned to make do.

Lot’s of folks learn to “make do”.  Cord on your lamp splits, gets chewed by cat, run over by kids…whatever.  What do you do?  You figure out how to do the old slice and splice and voila!  Light!  So why not something else that’s electrical?  Works just find and dandy, thank you very much.  Why go out and spend that $20-$30 for a new space heater when this one purchased from the thrift storefor $5 puts out quite enough heat for one person and their cat?  No need….no need at all.

Until “works just fine and dandy” doesn’t work just fine and dandy and catches the curtains or bedspread or rug on fire.

So, what did I do?  What did I say to my client?

I was a good girl, and counseled my client on the need to try to put safety first.  I explained that I knew it was cheaper to fix things ourselves, or to buy used appliances at thrift stores whenever possible.  But that savings could cost so much more … as had been shown that day.  I encouraged my client to check with other agencies and resources (churches, family members, etc.) to help with those types of things needed so that the safer version of the item could be purchased…not just the cheapest. 

So…while I have a driving need to educate people on the dangers of used space heaters, DIY electrical repairs on just about anything, and many other facets of fire safety, I am reminded that there are people out there that simply do not feel they have that choice.  And that is just downright sad.  There are agencies and organizations out there that can help people with a variety of needs.  Your community’s 2-1-1 is just one place to start…and there are many others.  We just need to get better at getting the word out – you know – share the information.

Wow…what a concept!   Pass It On!

While I could most certainly go on and on here, sharing memories from my own experiences after Katrina and covering a lot of territory from the whole Camp Gruber experience – many of those experiences and memories are a bit private, and I’m fairly protective of them.  Plus, I’ve decided that it’s time to file those memories away in a safe place – drawing on them only for guidance in future guidance should the need arise.

Which brings me to the topic of this post…. Lessons Learned.  You see, everyone who is even remotely involved in Emergency Management or Disaster Response on any level understands the value of those Lessons Learned.  Why go through all of that time and time again, if you’re not going to take something from each experience, and improve on the system in one way or another?  Right?  Unfortunately, that is not always the way it works – but those of us who believe will just keep plugging away and pushing for change where needed, stability when change is not necessary and collaboration at all times.

Please understand that the Lessons Learned here are just from my standpoint – things that I have taken to heart and utilized in my Red Cross work, in my presentations to Groups and Individuals discussing personal preparedness, and perhaps to some degree, in my personal life.  So here goes….

LL #1 –“My” volunteers/co-workers’ well-being comes first. 

Having benefitted from multiple “wellness checks” from my volunteers and co-workers during this event, I was reminded of the need to keep an eye open and ear tuned to those I work with.  Too many times we, as responders, get so wrapped up in doing what we do that we forget to take care of ourselves.  So our friends and co-workers become our lifelines.  I can truthfully say that on every assignment I’ve been on since Camp Gruber I have made the very conscious effort to do all in my power to ensure “my team” is basically ok.  I become very protective of those I consider to be a part of “my team”, and work hard to encourage them to all take care of one another while performing their daily tasks while on the job.   Physically and emotionally, disaster work can be some of the toughest work out there, and too often we forget to consider the effects on those deployed.  Camp Gruber helped solidify that concern as a top consideration in my list of “To Do’s” on assignment.

LL #2 – Be part of the Bigger Team

When working with representatives from other agencies and organizations, it is vital to remember that they have their long list of “Gotta Do’s” as well.  The fact that their list may not always be in sync with your list does not mean that theirs is less relevant, just different.  You still have to find that common ground to achieve the same results – caring for those affected.  This requires a lot of bending and flexing sometimes…something that not everyone is good at.  During my time at Camp Gruber, I discovered that demonstrating the commitment to be a part of that Bigger Team could be anything from brainstorming with others to find a solution to a unique problem (i.e. the mother who was afraid to go to sleep because she was so worried about her children) to something as simple as answering my cell phone…every time it rang…with a professional tone (not easy sometimes, to be sure). 

LL #3 – Don’t forget to show respect for those around you

Sounds obvious, wouldn’t you think?  Not always…tempers run fairly hot during disasters.  You have so many people working together from all these different agencies, from various backgrounds (military and law enforcement working side-by-side with humanitarian and/or faith-based organizations – very different views and processes there!) and belief systems.  Challenging, to say the very least.  I felt fortunate to have developed a fairly good working relationship with the Incident Commanders on the base and many others that were part of the Command Staff, and that was something I took great pride in.  Many of these individuals had official titles – Colonel, Lieutenant, Major, etc. – which in my books entitled them to at the very least a “Sir” or “Ma’am” if I was addressing them in conversation (I couldn’t always remember what the various bars/stripes/etc. meant on their uniforms).  They had worked hard and devoted a lot of time and energy to their chosen careers, and I had no problem whatsoever affording them that courtesy and respect.  And, I have to add, it was returned.  Can you believe I had someone tell me they considered it a “sign of weakness” for me to address “those people” as “sir”?  Hogwash!  (Plus – let’s face it folks – many of those wonderful and hard-working individuals carried guns, and sometimes badges.  I wanted them on my side!)

But that’s just the workers’ side of the respect issue!  You cannot, I repeat, CANNOT, forget to show respect to those that you are caring for! 

People that have been affected by disaster did not ask for their fate.  They did not invite the hurricane/earthquake/wildfire/whatever to come and take away everything they owned and loved.  They did not ask to be stuck on a bus for 36+ hours with no instructions on where they were going.  They have been through more than enough without having to deal with being treated like a number in a bin of BINGO balls.  I have no way of comprehending what it must have felt like to get off a bus that you boarded in Louisiana, and end up in the middle of rural Oklahoma on a military base.  So, the very least I can do is encourage my workers and those around me to treat them with the dignity to which they are due.  (And if some of these folks can address me as “Miss JoAnn”, the very least I can do is acknowledge them as “Ma’am” or “Sir”.)

(To be continued…)

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.…

This week marks the 5 Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. 

Anniversary….interesting word to use for this mile stone, don’t you think?  This revisiting of the devastation wreaked by forces of nature on hundreds of thousands of people.  Anniversary….typically a word used to indicate “celebration” …in my book anyway.  Oh sure, there are thousands of people who have every right to celebrate – they survived one of the worst disasters in recent American history.  But I can’t help but think back to the many that didn’t make it out of the waters that swept away everything in its path…homes, cars, boats, and perhaps some would say, the soul of a city and its people.

As Hurricane Katrina honed in on its projected target, the Emergency Response Community began positioning resources – both material resources and personnel.  At the time, I was employed by the American Red Cross, and it was my job to deploy people to areas affected (or about to be affected) by disaster.  We were asked to “send the best of the best” for this event, knowing that it would take our very strongest and most capable volunteers and staff to meet this monster head on.  So that’s what I did.  I was proud of each and every volunteer I sent out the door to stage and await their call to duty.  We had an amazing cadre of volunteers who were extremely capable, caring, and willing to do the tough jobs. 

One of our strongest Red Cross volunteers was sent in to a “forward headquarters” area, to wait for landfall and oversee initial activities in that location.  Immediately following Katrina’s landfall, this volunteer was without power, cell phone coverage, and a large portion of the support that he and his staff so critically needed (food, safe water, sanitary supplies, etc.).  After a couple of days, he managed to get a message to me via email on what I hope was a somewhat damaged computer.   I have to think that, as his messages were very disjointed and hard to follow sometimes.  He told me later that he lost 20 pounds in the two weeks he was there.  I guess living on peanut butter crackers will do that for you.

As a chapter employee, I spent a lot of time in the chapter coordinating, communicating (and worrying) in those early stages of the response.  I vividly remember listening in on a Ham Radio Operator working out of our chapter one afternoon as he was trying desperately to reach members of Oklahoma’s DMAT Team (OK1).  They had been sent to New Orleans, and their last communication was that they were stranded on a bridge that was becoming isolated by water.  One member shared this about their situation “there are a lot of people in the water, some ok, some not.  We’re dry so far…we’re not dead..yet.”  Fortunately, with a lot of people working together on all ends of the spectrum, the team was delivered to solid ground safely.  But in the office, we were all shaken to the core.  We knew those guys – worked with many of them every day – and we thought we were going to lose them.

Can you believe this?  It’s AUGUST!  That means that the end of summer is just around the corner…pools will be closing…school supply shopping is ramping up…families are squeezing in those last-minute vacation activities…sheesh!  Can’t believe it!  And you know what all that means, don’t you?  That’s right — September is chompin’ at the bit, ready to just bowl us all over.  Why…at this rate, it’ll be Halloween before you know it (shudder!).

Hey – speaking of September – you know what September is, don’t you?  (Besides the end of 100+ degree days that is)  September is National Preparedness Month.  A month set aside for agencies/organizations to focus on practicing preparedness in their day-to-day business, and encourage their employees/representatives to take these messages home for their everyday use as well.  Their slogan, Get a Kit – Make a Plan – Be Informed – Get Involved, says it all I think.

If your organization would like to become involved, visit the Ready.gov NPM website to get more information and to register as a Coalition Member.  While you’re checking that out – take a look at some of the organizations that have already registered.  Pretty interesting, and just might motivate you to get involved!

Well, that’s all great for organizations and companies…but what about just everyday kind of folks like us? 

There’s LOTS of stuff we can do too…not just in September, but with it being the beginning of the school year for so many, I suppose it’s as good a time as any, right?  So, let’s see — what could we look at?

School:  Know your child’s school or daycare Disaster Plan; Make sure your Emergency Contact Information is up-to-date with the main office; Have you changed phone numbers?  Be sure your children know the new one.

Home:  Practice your home Fire Escape Plan with EVERYONE in the family…no exceptions; Test your smoke detectors monthly (and let the kids hear it so they recognize the sound and know what it means; Check for worn out extension cords; Check Disaster Supplies – need new batteries? more band aids?

Work:  What is the Disaster Plan in your office?  Are you in a multi-story building?; Plan alternate routes to and from work; What about “other” emergencies?  Does your employer have a Business Continuity Plan?  What if there’s a major flu outbreak?

Travel:  Check the mechanical operation of your vehicles.  Turn signals working properly?  Headlights all lighting the way?  Any strange new leaks on the driveway or parking lot?;  Check the spare tire – still aired up?;  Put together or check your Auto Emergency Kit (flashlight, jumper cables, first aid kit, etc.)  And while we’re at it — Are you addicted to staying “connected” while traveling?  Then be sure to have some form of “hands free” communication for your cell phone – either that or place it in the glove box/purse/console so you won’t be tempted to text and drive. 

There are lots of Tips and TidBits that I could share — but why take the space here, when just a couple of mouse-clicks will connect you with the experts in the world of Preparedness.  Check ’em out!

American Red Cross
FEMA / Ready.gov