As flood waters recede tempers begin to flare. News agencies are starting to report on civil unrest in the midwest. Unfortunately after nearly a week away from home, and the immediate threat of standing water gone many residents are expecting to get to work rebuilding their lives. You will shortly see the news footage in which a picture was taken. This picture shows an Iowa State Police officer drawing his gun with a second officer swinging his asp. They appear to be attacking a vehicle at their check point. The driver of this vehicle allegedly charged their position in an attempt to get to his property.
Since the near future will only expose you to news stories, and interviews from upset property owners expressing their frustration, and you will not hear much from the responders themselves I would like to take a moment to give the rescuers a voice.
I would like to start by saying that flood waters are dangerous. Emergency responders are taught that even inches of moving water can knock a wood be rescuer off their feet, and quickly turn them into a victim. Just last week Americans were glued to their televisions when an engorged river washed an entire house off its foundation in Wisconsin. With those pressures and forces in mind it becomes very reasonable to believe that structures which have been overcome by between three, and twenty feet of water may be dangerous.
"Fine" you say, the flood did damage, now inspect the property and let us to our home.
Well, lets look at the inspection. Who needs to sign off on the safety of a community before you can let residents back in.
With hurricane Gustav bearing down on the gulf coast emergency responders all across the country are preparing to respond to the disaster site. Currently the resources preparing to deploy consists of FEMA Federal USAR and DMAT teams which are staged outside of the disaster impact region. National guard units are standing up to prepare for deployment. Rec A, and EMAC documents are being filled out. The Coast Guard is cutting orders for their volunteer Auxiliary to respond to the disaster site, and the Civil Air Patrol is moving assets out of the impact region. All of these coordinated efforts are hoping to be in position to respond to this emergency. With everyone preparing to respond, and many more eager to help we must caution against self deployment. FEMA has recently published this memo reinforcing this caution. The only people who respond to any disaster site are organized coordinated teams who are requested by local agencies, and entities. If your group wants to support the victims of Gustav please work with your local emergnecy management staff to offer assistance.
If you are a ham radio operator with HF capabilities you can check the hurricane net on 14300 Khz, and the national hurricane center on 14325 Khz.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of Gustav
I would love to hear what you, and your team are doing to prepare for Gustav. Post a comment and tell everyone how your are getting ready.
