Last (and this is a pearl), Crawford County's EMA director, stated during the second week of this situation, that this emergency was a "teachable moment" for the citizens of the county. They need to have a 3 day supply of food, water and first aid, etc.. They also, need to keep $50 in single dollar bills, so that they can purchase needed items. I agree. If a person or family HAS THE MEANS to do this, they should. My family has. But what about the low income, the elderly, the people who just do not get around to it? Our EMA can tell people that this was a "teachable moment", but it seems that they, themselves have learned nothing.
Many, many private citizens of Crawford County stepped up and worked hard to support their neighbors. Churches, youth groups and individuals alike. But, without guidance, help was slow to appear, this situation was disorganized out in "the field" and all help was sporadic in location. I am 100% positive, that some of our citizens lost out on any assistance, just because they did not know it existed. Some towns performed better than others, all worked hard.
Without the "management", in Emergency Management Agency. I am desperately afraid that this scenario will be repeated again. And I sincerely hope that the "next one", does not take place in winter.
Showing posts with label Ike's Indiana Aftermath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ike's Indiana Aftermath. Show all posts
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Ike's Indiana Aftermath, conclusion
Here is my conclusion. Why I place the blame squarely on our EMA and a few other "beauties", that I observed in action over a two week period.
First and foremost, six months ago, after a flood in two towns in Crawford County, our United Way asked the EMA, if they could tell us where shelters were located in this county. We wanted to place the information in a brochure for our citizens. At that time, we were told that this information was on a "need to know basis" and we should let them handle it. Essentially, they did not need our help, thank you.
Second, Crawford County does not have an "official" emergency plan that has been approved on a State level. We have had at least, 5 weather related emergencies in this county, in the past three years.
Third. The Red Cross is stretched far to thin in this area of Southern Indiana. Our chapter is located a couple of counties away. They did not utilize some certified volunteers that live in our county. In addition, the director stood in the one EMA meeting, stating that "they" served 900 meals (in two days). In fact, the Wesleyan Church served the meals with their volunteers, their generators, propane and mostly their own resources. The Red Cross sent this church enough supplies for one day of feeding people. The Salvation Army, delivered supplies for another two days (and also sent food to the pantries). The balance of over 2,800 meals was on the church. The Red Cross Station in Leavenworth did an excellent job...but nowhere near as many meals went out of there, as they did in Marengo or Patoka Elementary. Ten days after the event, the library called me. The Red Cross of Harrison County had called, they had heard that we were going to distribute food to working poor families. They wanted to know, if we could include Harrison county families. Sadly we could not. Not enough resources.
Fourth, our local radio station was off the air for the entire power outage. Seems that they do not have a generator. This is the only way to get information out to all of the public. Unless, of course, they add all citizens of Crawford County, to the automated phone system. And that only works, if we have phone service. EMA, needs to focus on VITAL equipment and place less emphasis on a couple of 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Fifth. Many last minute volunteers were told, they WOULD be working 12 hour days. I am not sure that the "powers that be" understand the definition of volunteer.
Sixth, there is NO volunteer "net" underneath the EMA of Crawford County. Our director has only a handful of volunteers that work with him. Not one of these people have contacted other organizations in this county for advance preparation in case of emergency.
I am saving the best for last... read my next post!
First and foremost, six months ago, after a flood in two towns in Crawford County, our United Way asked the EMA, if they could tell us where shelters were located in this county. We wanted to place the information in a brochure for our citizens. At that time, we were told that this information was on a "need to know basis" and we should let them handle it. Essentially, they did not need our help, thank you.
Second, Crawford County does not have an "official" emergency plan that has been approved on a State level. We have had at least, 5 weather related emergencies in this county, in the past three years.
Third. The Red Cross is stretched far to thin in this area of Southern Indiana. Our chapter is located a couple of counties away. They did not utilize some certified volunteers that live in our county. In addition, the director stood in the one EMA meeting, stating that "they" served 900 meals (in two days). In fact, the Wesleyan Church served the meals with their volunteers, their generators, propane and mostly their own resources. The Red Cross sent this church enough supplies for one day of feeding people. The Salvation Army, delivered supplies for another two days (and also sent food to the pantries). The balance of over 2,800 meals was on the church. The Red Cross Station in Leavenworth did an excellent job...but nowhere near as many meals went out of there, as they did in Marengo or Patoka Elementary. Ten days after the event, the library called me. The Red Cross of Harrison County had called, they had heard that we were going to distribute food to working poor families. They wanted to know, if we could include Harrison county families. Sadly we could not. Not enough resources.
Fourth, our local radio station was off the air for the entire power outage. Seems that they do not have a generator. This is the only way to get information out to all of the public. Unless, of course, they add all citizens of Crawford County, to the automated phone system. And that only works, if we have phone service. EMA, needs to focus on VITAL equipment and place less emphasis on a couple of 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Fifth. Many last minute volunteers were told, they WOULD be working 12 hour days. I am not sure that the "powers that be" understand the definition of volunteer.
Sixth, there is NO volunteer "net" underneath the EMA of Crawford County. Our director has only a handful of volunteers that work with him. Not one of these people have contacted other organizations in this county for advance preparation in case of emergency.
I am saving the best for last... read my next post!
Ike's Indiana Aftermath, five
This long narrative is to point out the failings in some small counties, including my own, with hope of resolution in the future. But, if lessons have not been learned, by existing infrastructure, I am afraid we are doomed to repeat the past.
Friday, I finally located the Red Cross Director. I gave her my list, picked up the 144 "heater meals" and spent the day, delivering them. I was interested to see, that with all of the people going without, very few of these meals had been distributed, at that point in time. Cases WERE given to the Fire Departments later that day. Some were given to the pantries, but not enough.
Saturday, I delivered food and safety information that the United Way of Crawford County had gotten together, including $200 worth from one of the cash donors.
Monday, September 22nd. Life is getting back to normal, people are assessing damage. Those that know, are reporting said damage to the IN Department of Homeland Security, many have no idea. Our EMA is certain that everything is running well. It is not.
My co-worker and I, are receiving calls from our libraries and some other locations. Working poor families are out of food and do not know where to go for help. Pay checks are a few days, to a week away. We decide to take the other promissory donor up on his offer of $500 for food. We then begin making plans for distribution to these working poor families. Even though we worked as fast as things can go, on spur of the moment, it took until Thursday afternoon to get the cash. Friday, three of us purchased food and dropped it off at a central location. Saturday, United Way volunteers and a couple of community service folks, handed the food out. 10 pounds of nutrient rich food per family. We served 50 families, by the end of the weekend. With NO advertisement. Life is back to normal...more or less.
Friday, I finally located the Red Cross Director. I gave her my list, picked up the 144 "heater meals" and spent the day, delivering them. I was interested to see, that with all of the people going without, very few of these meals had been distributed, at that point in time. Cases WERE given to the Fire Departments later that day. Some were given to the pantries, but not enough.
Saturday, I delivered food and safety information that the United Way of Crawford County had gotten together, including $200 worth from one of the cash donors.
Monday, September 22nd. Life is getting back to normal, people are assessing damage. Those that know, are reporting said damage to the IN Department of Homeland Security, many have no idea. Our EMA is certain that everything is running well. It is not.
My co-worker and I, are receiving calls from our libraries and some other locations. Working poor families are out of food and do not know where to go for help. Pay checks are a few days, to a week away. We decide to take the other promissory donor up on his offer of $500 for food. We then begin making plans for distribution to these working poor families. Even though we worked as fast as things can go, on spur of the moment, it took until Thursday afternoon to get the cash. Friday, three of us purchased food and dropped it off at a central location. Saturday, United Way volunteers and a couple of community service folks, handed the food out. 10 pounds of nutrient rich food per family. We served 50 families, by the end of the weekend. With NO advertisement. Life is back to normal...more or less.
Ike's Indiana Aftermath, four
It's now Wednesday. I get to the Crawford County office, hoping to find enough food safety brochures in my file cabinet. Some, but definitely, not enough. Fortunately, my boss had hooked up a small generator and I could make copies. While the machine was working away, a co-worker brought me a memo. It said that the EMA was having a meeting at 10am. We decided that we will attend. First, the meeting was not where they said it would be. We found the meeting anyway, arriving 5 minutes late. As we walked in, the first thing said to us was, "you cannot be here". My co-worker stated that we were with "agencies". We were told again, that we could not be there. After the third time, I said, "we were the ones that unloaded your precious water and you are going to tell us to leave?". Oops, my temper again.
At this point, we were asked to sit down. Smart move on their part. At this meeting, we found out where citizens could get a hot meal, that we now had ice at the fairgrounds for food storage, the Red Cross had served 900 meals at the Marengo Wesleyan Church and a bunch more logistical stuff.
Time to ask some questions...how were they handling seniors in distress? How were they getting oxygen and meds to people in need? How were citizens being notified as to where the services were? Why was there not a central shelter or shelters for the people in need? Why don't citizens know where to go in advance? Has anyone gone door to door, checking on people, other than the three of us (officially checking)? Answers, I wanted answers!
Well , here are the answers we got (for, what they are worth). No one was handling any individual. They could call if they were in distress (no phones, remember!). Oxygen supplies were the medical companies responsibility (how were they going to know, no phones). Our EMA, was working with the school district. Families with school aged children would get an automated message, as to where to locate services (again, many do not have service. And, what about anyone without children in school, 39.7% of our population). Shelter locations were on a need to know basis (what?). Basically, The Red Cross decided that a shelter was not needed. "People still had a roof over their heads" (this was so wrong minded, that I was confused). Finally, yes, people were going door to door...the 3 of you!
Other answers were, that the Food Stamp people were putting some money back on recipients EBT cards, to make up for spoiled food. The county would shut down feeding stations by Friday evening (as one Fire Chief stated, "otherwise people will never do anything on their own"), after all, power would be back to most homes in Crawford County by then. That the Red Cross had a trailer load of "heater meals", these would be placed at the Fire Departments for week end use, by families still without power. And so, on.
We asked a few more questions. What about families that lost their food, are not on assistance and do not qualify for our food pantries? Could we get some "heater meals", for senior shut ins? (yes, but it took another day and a half to get them), etc. Time to go to work, in more ways than one!
At this point, we were asked to sit down. Smart move on their part. At this meeting, we found out where citizens could get a hot meal, that we now had ice at the fairgrounds for food storage, the Red Cross had served 900 meals at the Marengo Wesleyan Church and a bunch more logistical stuff.
Time to ask some questions...how were they handling seniors in distress? How were they getting oxygen and meds to people in need? How were citizens being notified as to where the services were? Why was there not a central shelter or shelters for the people in need? Why don't citizens know where to go in advance? Has anyone gone door to door, checking on people, other than the three of us (officially checking)? Answers, I wanted answers!
Well , here are the answers we got (for, what they are worth). No one was handling any individual. They could call if they were in distress (no phones, remember!). Oxygen supplies were the medical companies responsibility (how were they going to know, no phones). Our EMA, was working with the school district. Families with school aged children would get an automated message, as to where to locate services (again, many do not have service. And, what about anyone without children in school, 39.7% of our population). Shelter locations were on a need to know basis (what?). Basically, The Red Cross decided that a shelter was not needed. "People still had a roof over their heads" (this was so wrong minded, that I was confused). Finally, yes, people were going door to door...the 3 of you!
Other answers were, that the Food Stamp people were putting some money back on recipients EBT cards, to make up for spoiled food. The county would shut down feeding stations by Friday evening (as one Fire Chief stated, "otherwise people will never do anything on their own"), after all, power would be back to most homes in Crawford County by then. That the Red Cross had a trailer load of "heater meals", these would be placed at the Fire Departments for week end use, by families still without power. And so, on.
We asked a few more questions. What about families that lost their food, are not on assistance and do not qualify for our food pantries? Could we get some "heater meals", for senior shut ins? (yes, but it took another day and a half to get them), etc. Time to go to work, in more ways than one!
Ike's Indiana Aftermath, three
Oops! I now realize that, perhaps, I should have kept going. Left to unload the water trucks were 2 Milltown volunteer firemen, 4 women and my boss, running a tractor.
On the trip down, the gallons of water had shifted and a good half of the product had to be unloaded by hand. After a short while, the truck drivers felt bad, that the men present were running equipment and the 4 women were unloading gallons of water by hand. They pitched in, Thank Heavens! When we were finished, or nearly so, a volunteer EMA man, finally showed up.
My first question was, where was our help? My second, how were people going to find out water was available to them? He began to leave. I asked again, a bit more forcefully. His answer just about set me off my rocker...we WERE the help and "they" were going to send the message out by short wave radio. What? This will not stand! Okay, I was in his face by then, I will admit it. Is this water for the privileged? Is there any other plan to notify citizens? No? Are you retarded? Or just an asshole? Well, I guess you can see what direction this conversation was going. I left.
As I was driving to my destination, I had many thoughts. Most were not amiable, but one was pretty good. I began driving down streets in Marengo, telling anyone who was outside, where to find free water. Asking them to pass the word to other neighbors. It worked! I then stopped by as many senior homes as I could. A little after dark, my day was over. When I got home, I realized that I was distressed and angry. I had seen a number of seniors who were confused, some who were low on oxygen, a few that were disoriented and many that were still eating food out of their refrigerators! Mind you, this is two and a half days after the power outage began. Tomorrow, I want answers AND valid information!
On the trip down, the gallons of water had shifted and a good half of the product had to be unloaded by hand. After a short while, the truck drivers felt bad, that the men present were running equipment and the 4 women were unloading gallons of water by hand. They pitched in, Thank Heavens! When we were finished, or nearly so, a volunteer EMA man, finally showed up.
My first question was, where was our help? My second, how were people going to find out water was available to them? He began to leave. I asked again, a bit more forcefully. His answer just about set me off my rocker...we WERE the help and "they" were going to send the message out by short wave radio. What? This will not stand! Okay, I was in his face by then, I will admit it. Is this water for the privileged? Is there any other plan to notify citizens? No? Are you retarded? Or just an asshole? Well, I guess you can see what direction this conversation was going. I left.
As I was driving to my destination, I had many thoughts. Most were not amiable, but one was pretty good. I began driving down streets in Marengo, telling anyone who was outside, where to find free water. Asking them to pass the word to other neighbors. It worked! I then stopped by as many senior homes as I could. A little after dark, my day was over. When I got home, I realized that I was distressed and angry. I had seen a number of seniors who were confused, some who were low on oxygen, a few that were disoriented and many that were still eating food out of their refrigerators! Mind you, this is two and a half days after the power outage began. Tomorrow, I want answers AND valid information!
Ike's Indiana Aftermath, two
During our last County emergency, events AS I SAW THEM, happened like this;
After the windstorm that lasted 4 plus hours, everyone lost power and all phone service. Due to the power loss, many properties could not draw water from their wells. "City" water was limited to what was in the storage tanks. There was no communication between most citizens and government. Most folks did not know how long the power was going to be out, how bad damage actually was, where to get gas or water or where they needed to go for assistance.
After cutting our way out of the driveway on Monday, I checked in with my office in another county (drove until I found one working phone). Everything was okay there, the outage only lasted a few hours. I told them that I was cleaning up debris and would be back to work on Tuesday.
Back to work. This might have been an understatement. First thing Tuesday, I arrive at my office in Crawford County. No power, no phones, no e-mail, no EMA. Yes, I share a building with the Emergency Management Agency and Health Department. The county nurse and her crew, were working in the dark. EMA, had been moved to the courthouse (the only building with powerful enough generators to run things effectively) and our office was moving it's headquarters to the 4H park. Why I wondered?
Seems that EMA and the IN Department of Homeland Security had requested emergency water for our county, that it was being delivered to the fairgrounds and this was happening by 10:30am. Alright, I thought. I could check on some seniors, go to the fairgrounds and be back on the road by 1:00pm, no problem.
Problem. One o'clock rolls around, no water trucks. By three-ish, I hit the road. Two miles down, I see 9 brand new State dump trucks heading towards the fairgrounds. I whip a U turn and follow them to their destination. Ahh...Crawford County's water has arrived!
After the windstorm that lasted 4 plus hours, everyone lost power and all phone service. Due to the power loss, many properties could not draw water from their wells. "City" water was limited to what was in the storage tanks. There was no communication between most citizens and government. Most folks did not know how long the power was going to be out, how bad damage actually was, where to get gas or water or where they needed to go for assistance.
After cutting our way out of the driveway on Monday, I checked in with my office in another county (drove until I found one working phone). Everything was okay there, the outage only lasted a few hours. I told them that I was cleaning up debris and would be back to work on Tuesday.
Back to work. This might have been an understatement. First thing Tuesday, I arrive at my office in Crawford County. No power, no phones, no e-mail, no EMA. Yes, I share a building with the Emergency Management Agency and Health Department. The county nurse and her crew, were working in the dark. EMA, had been moved to the courthouse (the only building with powerful enough generators to run things effectively) and our office was moving it's headquarters to the 4H park. Why I wondered?
Seems that EMA and the IN Department of Homeland Security had requested emergency water for our county, that it was being delivered to the fairgrounds and this was happening by 10:30am. Alright, I thought. I could check on some seniors, go to the fairgrounds and be back on the road by 1:00pm, no problem.
Problem. One o'clock rolls around, no water trucks. By three-ish, I hit the road. Two miles down, I see 9 brand new State dump trucks heading towards the fairgrounds. I whip a U turn and follow them to their destination. Ahh...Crawford County's water has arrived!
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