Disaster Response

Hurricane Florence,  Hurricane Harvey,  Hurricane Irene,  Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Irma, Super Storm Sandy 

Too numerous to count; including apartment buildings, buildings with multiple deaths, multiple buildings

Planes, trains, trucks and vehicles

I  have been watching about all of the disasters that have been happening.  As part of the fire service, I responded to calls during Hurricane  Irene, Super Storm Sandy and more than I can remember. 

As  responders and caring people, we want to help. We raise money to send  to help others. We gather new toys, new clothes, things needed for the  household, whatever we can. We send it to places in need and hope that  it makes a difference. We as a family of responders cannot sit on the  side lines. I have the honor to be able to respond to places effected by  hurricanes. I was able to speak to other responders and some stories  need to get out, like the police officer that did not need money from  the overtime that he received from working security at the shelters. He  took the money that he earned and put it in the visor of his cruiser. He  was able to take the money and put it in the hands of people who were  in need. No forms. No waiting. Immediately helping.

I  don’t know about you but I do not have all that money. My mind went to a  person that I had heard about at the gate of a temple. The man was lame  from birth and had to beg to survive. We have seen people begging many  times, especially in certain areas. Well, Peter and John were going into  the temple. Peter looked at the man and said to him, “Silver and gold I  do not have, BUT what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus, rise  up and walk.” And the man was able to walk and leap. Acts 3

I  know that all of us cannot do a miracle; but what can we do? What do we  have to give? You would be surprised at what we have to give. First  responders love to give. You give of yourselves on calls. We have our  strength. We have our time. There are others things very important to  the people who have gone through a disaster that also means so much. You  have compassion. You have ears to listen to someone’s story. When I  working in shelters, I was asked many questions by so many people. Where  are my animals? What time is the next meal? So many questions that I  had to research the answers because I did not have the answers. We don’t  always need to have the answer. I was able to help some elderly people  get their meals since they did not have the mobility. I was able to try  to get a table, so some could play dominoes but I want to share something  that will stay with me forever.

I  was in a shelter and an older gentleman came up to me. He asked me if I  was the chaplain. I said “yes, I am”. “You’re a man of God?” “Yes, I  am.” Then came the best question “can I have a hug?” “Of course you  can.” The man put his head on my right shoulder as he hugged and then  the left shoulder for another hug. He looked at me and asked if I would  pray for him. I told him that I would. As I was going to pray with him  there, he put his head on my right shoulder for a hug, then the left  side for another hug and then he went away crying. He may have lost  everything, or may have been homeless before everything started. I don’t  know. But his need was so simple. He needed human contact.

We  take for granted how much we can help people, just by being there. If  the only reason that I went to work in the shelters for two weeks was to  give that hug, then it was worth the trip.

Think  of how many opportunities you may have to really have an impact on  someone’s life. What do you have to offer? What skills? Do you have ears  to listen with compassion? Arms to come around someone who may have  nothing?

God  has blessed us all so much. We may not be wealthy but as we live life  the most important thing that we can give is … ourselves.

Thank  you to all our brothers and sisters who have been responded in the  times of tragedy. Thank you to those who took care of their families and  as soon as they were safe, kept responding to calls to help others.

It  is an honor to be associated with people who give of themselves. It was  a pleasure to work with people from New Hampshire to Washington state,  Alaska, Hawaii and the entire country.

Who knows, maybe others will take other training for disasters and maybe I will see you in the shelters.

 Let's think about what happens when we get a call for a house or apartment. 

The  alarm comes in and we board our bright shiny fire apparatus, we make it  through the traffic to the location, we connect to the hydrant, do a  search and then work on suppression, then overhaul. But something may be  missing. Where is the client in this equation? Are they on the other  side of the barrier tape? Are they dressed? Who is there for the  unfortunate person? I know the answer is the Red Cross, but who is there  for them until they show up?

We  know that when the call is over, if we have a bad call, we can get help  through the crisis team. The client is standing there, watching their  life go into ruins. Do you have someone to put a blanket around them?  Who takes them to a safe place so their trauma is reduced? So many times  we may not understand what our client is going through in the hour or  so until the Red Cross shows up, if someone called for them.

Fire  is a thief, but worse than a thief. The thief comes into the house and  steals the television, or computer or something that THEY think is  valuable. Fire comes in a destroys everything, things that are worth  money and things that are worth memories.

Many  of us have not experienced what a client really goes. Let's put on a  new set of glasses. Your house is on fire. You may have been pulled out  of the house or gotten out before it got too bad. You hear the crash of  windows and see the roof cut open. You are standing watching things  being destroyed by the fire. You may be in your pajamas, because during  fire prevention you were told to get out fast. After the fire, you see  that they are bringing out your sofa, television, computer, etc. You are  given a trash bag, the same ones that are used in the fire station. You  are told to gather all your possessions and put them in the bag and  that you will only be able to go back into the house once, before it is  razed or you are not allowed entry. You may or may not be able to use  your car. Oh wait, your phone and all the phone numbers and insurance  policies were burned in the fire, or stored on the computer, that is  laying on the front lawn.

Let  us put ourselves in their place. How would we want to be treated or  worked with during the fire? During our time of crisis? How many of your  needs from Maslow's hierarchy of needs are being met? 

Maybe  your department can teach your crews how to work with the clients.  Maybe your department can do a drill with the Red Cross, where your  people are put into a shelter, as a client. Go to another town during a  big fire. Do not buff the job. Observe. Watch the people. Watch the  emotions. Find out how you can truly help your neighbor, the client, the  victim.

Stay Safe

 I  have a story that is so cute that I need to share it. It pulled at my  heart strings as well as the pockets of my cargo pants, you’ll see.

As  people from Puerto Rico are coming in to Newark Airport, on  humanitarian flights, the Red Cross is there to greet them. Comfort kits  are given out and children receive Mickey Mouse figures, stuffed.

As  I was walking around to hand out items, I was carrying the kits and had  Mickeys in the pockets of my cargo pants and Red Cross vest, to give to  the children. Well, I was talking with a family and felt something  playing with my pants. I looked down and what did I see? A golden  retriever service dog. He was sniffing at the Mickey and lightly  tugging. I was talking with the family and they told me that his  favorite toy that he had was…….a stuffed Mickey that was lost in  Hurricane Maria. The dog needed comfort himself. I reached down and felt  the one that the 8 year old dog was tugging at. Yes, the Mickey was a  little moist from the dog’s mouth. I gave the toy to the family for the  dog.

How do we take care of the animals that take care of the humans? These are the silent heroes that mean so much.

Just had to share.