Disaster deployment = helping people
by James. C. Janicek (JJ)
Project Coordinator
My first experience with disaster duty took place back in 1992 for Hurricane Andrew support. I spent four months assisting. I thought that volunteering would look good on my record. I was surprised when I found out I really enjoyed helping people and working on disaster duty. I guess that is why I have signed up to support so many disasters.
To some, deploying to support 12 disasters might not seem like much, but it is significant to me. The standing joke around the district is that I have a permanently packed bag.
My most recent disaster deployment assignment took place in Louisiana, following Hurricane Katrina. I spent 93 days there. I have served in many capacities while deployed—everything from a Quality Assurance Inspector for debris removal to a Quality Assurance Team Leader for demolition. During my latest assignment, I was a Quality Assurance Supervisor handling over 150 QA inspectors for the blue roof program. Federal Emergency Management Association provides the blue roof program through the Corps. The Corps installs plastic sheeting over damaged areas of a home to prevent further damage. Each of these assignments I encountered was indeed a chore, especially with all of the different personalities involved.
There are always two things that I tell my subordinate inspectors—first, be safe; my two favorite words. Second, if they are out doing a home estimate and encounter the homeowner, I expect them to talk with that person. Even though it takes a few more minutes, these homeowners have been through a lot; in most cases we are the first help they see.
During disaster deployment, I have always come across unusual circumstances. One example took place in West Virginia. One of my inspectors called me when I was at the other end of the county to tell me that one of the dump trucks fell through a bridge. Four empty trucks had crossed the bridge to get the debris. Three trucks came back across full, weakening the bridge. It was weakened so much that when the last one came across with only about two cubic yards full of debris inside, it fell through. Luckily, the driver wasn't hurt. We had to have two big tow trucks pull him out.
Another peculiar situation I experienced during disaster deployment took place when I was at the county seat’s Emergency Operations Center. I got caught in the renewed flooding. I get through most of these small tragedies by trying to find the comedy in it all. For instance, I once accidentally locked my keys in my rental car. After finishing the day working at the Kendall Area Office, I swore to my coworkers that I would sleep on top of the car before I left it in the middle of nowhere; I had gifts for my ex-wife and kids in there.
But, I digress. The very best feeling of disaster deployment is when someone sees you in your Corps shirt and they approach you in the store or on a corner and tell you how much they appreciate the fact that you are there.
Down in Louisiana, one of my inspectors ran across a needy family whose daughter had undergone open heart surgery, with numerous operations to follow. Hurricane Katrina badly damaged their home. The problem the house had a metal roof. The blue roof program excludes metal roofs. As we pondered a way to help, we secured them a motel room. I called the contractor and told him that I could not in any capacity, except as one human being to another, ask him to put up the blue roof. He did it, however, knowing he would not be paid. I and five other Corps personnel took up a collection for the family. Then, we had a cookout for them at their motel. We took up another collection at Thanksgiving to make sure they had a good one. A few of us even gave them gifts at Christmas. We still keep track of the family. The little girl just had a brain shunt put in. She got through that. In May, she underwent her second open heart surgery. Through it all, we were able to get a new FEMA trailer for them. I will always treasure the thank you card the family gave me afterwards.
In addition to being able to help people, the most rewarding part of disaster deployment is the appreciation and thank yous. Yes, it is nice to receive the recognition from the commander and the reverence from coworkers, but the thank yous are what count the most for me. They mean more to me than any certificate or award I could ever receive.
