Local mutual aid to go to
hurricane-struck South    

Devastating hurricanes thwart Southern recovery efforts

[SEPT. 16, 2004]  If it were a disease that keeps coming back, it would be chronic. Florida and the South have a chronic hurricane problem this year. The repeated assaults just keep coming. Tropical storms, torrential rains, hurricanes and tornadoes seem to keep spawning new unstable weather patterns.

A helping hand in time of need

Lincoln Fire Chief Bucky Washam and Logan County ESDA director Dan Fulscher have been contacted and requested to assist in recovery efforts to the south even as the latest hurricane, Ivan, wreaks havoc on Alabama. First responders from all over the country are being called in to assist with the mammoth disaster recovery, which, before Ivan, involved all sides of Florida.

At present Florida emergency workers are doing damage assessment in areas where they are able to get into. Up to 7-foot floodwaters and debris hamper those efforts. Once assessments are completed, exhausted local workers will be given some respite by mutual aid first responders such as Washam and Fulscher.

And now it’s Ivan

Alabama first responders have exhausted themselves helping Florida since it has been bombarded with multiple hurricanes and have returned home on low reserves, now having to deal with their own work with Ivan.

The local emergency responders are prepared to go wherever, whenever they are requested. When they do go, they will go for a 14-day stint. They will have a day of travel and a day of shift-change training on each end of their tour of duty and 10 days to work. Their wages will be covered by federal assistance.

Emergency workers on-site were due to make a shift change but are holding in place as the hurricane passes.

Replacement workers are being told, "Don’t go. Wait till you are asked for help," Illinois Emergency Management Agency Region Seven Coordinator Dan Smith said, "as each hurricane creates a separate disaster."

The local responders will have to go out, again, first to do damage assessment. The mutual aid workers can offer their assistance with recovery efforts.

Dangers and obstacles plague every disaster site

Hazards in disaster areas are complex and compound. Floodwaters, sanitation, hazardous materials and debris are some of the major factors hurricane relief workers are facing. Florida workers are currently performing most of their work on foot. Water and debris cover most of the major streets and highways in the devastated areas.

Not only is water a problem for traveling, but in this case workers are also having to watch for displaced alligators. Large quantities of water and ample rotting food have brought them in from the swamps. They think they have great new homes with nearby dining. Control and containment efforts failed, and officers are now left with shooting them.

The hurricanes of the year 2004 stand to be talked about for years to come. Who was it who said this was going to be a big hurricane year? It got off to a late start, but they win the prediction medal.

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