December 16, 2009 - The Holidays

Winter is here, and we are about one week away from Christmas. What a challenging year it has been for many on multiple fronts. I hope the holidays will bring many together and find happiness in friends and family...what life is really all about. The team is dispersed and home with their own families, the weather looks cold and calm and the fleet is sitting in PA. In a week or two we’ll get back together and begin training, which will cover a broad range of preparedness from FEMA, Red Cross, swift water rescue, communication, medical, gas and electrical, handling hazardous debris and much more.

For those of you who follow us on our blog we thank you and look forward to keeping in touch with you in the coming storm season as we meet people in their hour of need. As I reflect
on what it is I’m thankful for this year...it’s all of the folks I have met, who have lost so much and who have multiple reasons to grieve, but press on as the sun comes up each day. They inspire me to keep on in this life. Like our good friends from Parkersburg, IA, who lost their town and coach, this world is full of people who live with strength and honor each day. May we
take notice and try to emulate the best in people.

It’s just odd that the worst in life can often times bring out the best. Each day is a gift...cherish the ones you love. Happy Holidays to you and yours and savor each moment this life has to offer us.

November 13, 2009 - East Coast Storms

Last night Dr. Greg Forbes, from the Weather Channel, gave us the latest and said, “I have my eyes on Norfolk, VA. They could be getting 60 MPH winds, 6-8 foot storm surges and power outages. Plus, there is a storm coming from the ocean that will meet the remnants of Hurricane, Ida." We were only one state away so we could be there right away as the event was going to begin.

We arrived at the firehouse down town Norfolk, VA early this morning. I introduced myself to the chief and after he looked out the window at our fleet looked at me and said, “You're not going to charge us for this are you?” I answered "no," and he quickly sent one of the fire fighters to guide us to the part of the city that was beginning to flood. 30 minutes later we were on the scene and began the rescue operation.

We launched the boat and began to go door to door checking on folks that may still be home. One after another we began to load people in the boat. 3-4 kids at a time, one after another. I grabbed this one little boy who was 4 years old. He was scared and holding onto his backpack. I sat him in front of me on the seat and flew him through his neighborhood to nearby fire fighters ready to reunite him with his family. One man screamed out the window to me, “Can you save my wife and son?” Another woman was suffering from an injury; it took 4 men to get her in the boat and as I was bringing her to safety she just sat there crying and shaking. I kept telling here everything was going to be ok and that she would be with her husband soon. One woman had two babies with her. As I sat them behind me in the boat I explained the ride would be loud and very wet but hold on and you’ll be safe soon. She did not say anything back but simply looked at me and in a way I felt she trusted me.

It’s 1 am. I’m working on the hovercraft in the fire department making sure its ready to fly in another two hours when the next storm surge comes in. As I work through the night again I can’t help but think that somewhere in this city tonight moms and dads are putting their little children to sleep, thankful for another day. It's times like these that remind me why the First Response Team of America exists.

Life is precious and unpredictable. Cherish those you love

November 11, 2009 - Hurricane Ida

We have been on the road for thee days now. It seems like all we have been doing is chasing this one storm system. Hurricane Ida came in three days ago on Monday. We raced south immediately only to find that when the storm struck Florida and Alabama it really would not be that bad.

We consulted with Dr. Greg Forbes from the Weather Channel and decided there may be more of a threat of flooding from the storm inland possibly just north of Atlanta. We arrived in GA only to find out the storm front now moved east into South Carolina.

We kept on its tail, driving through wind and rain constantly only to find out the front kept on moving farther and farther east. We’re going to get some sleep tonight finally. We were able to get our gear out of the rain thanks to The Pete Store in South Carolina. They were kind enough to service the truck and put a new battery in the hovercraft. We should be ready to help if this storm decides to stop moving so fast and settle down on a city somewhere.

As of now, we're going to get some food and a few hours of sleep. I hope it was not a mistake to follow this storm half way across America. But if it stands still for more than a day, we’ll be right on top of it, ready to help whomever needs us.

October 30, 2009 - Mountain View, CA - Wildfires and New Fleet

In the past few months the Team has responded to a Derecho (violent straight-line wind storm) that struck Fredericktown, MO, flash floods in Louisville, KY, floods in GA and we are presently in Southern California working with local organizations to clean up more than 50 homes that were destroyed by wild fires.

There were fewer storms this year then last which is timely considering so many had been affected by the economy. I often think what it would be like to be out of a job with no insurance and then your home gets destroyed. It’s almost too much to think about. After responding to so many disasters the Team is always looking for things to be thankful for and this is one of them.

This past year has been difficult on the Team as well. Few donations came in to support our work. Some of my personal equipment left over from Disaster Recovery Solutions had to be liquidated in order to put fuel in the tanks of the essential gear that had to respond but at the last hour we received help from a few companies that decided they wanted to give back themselves.

I want to give a special thanks to The Pete Store for the donation of three tractor trailers and a building in Knoxville to call home, CAT for their support through heavy equipment, Ledwell for a trailer, Godwin for a pump, Terex for a light tower and Heiden for a grapple. Though 2009 has had its challenges, I’m thankful we were able to bring in the equipment needed to continue our work for the 2010 storm season.

As the end of the year draws to a close the weather often begins to calm. We will not see many hurricanes or tornados striking the states the rest of this year, but we’ll have to keep out eyes out for floods and ice storms.

April 15, 2009 - Mena, Arkansas Tornado

On April 9, 2009, a violent tornado touched down in Mena, AR, killing three and injuring 30. From what I can tell, the tornado was on the ground for about 12 miles and could have been up to ¾ of a mile wide. It destroyed 300 homes and damaged 600 others. The tornado was rated as a high-end EF3, with winds near 165 mph.

The storm plowed through downtown Mena, ripping apart homes, businesses, schools and city hall. Hundreds are without a place to call home. Most Americans in this country are already nervous about the present economic climate and unstable future but this storm has now added to the worries of this small city of about 6,000.

When I arrived I met with the mayor and other humanitarian organizations in the new makeshift city hall (the local gas station) to talk about the needs of those living in the community. About 30% of the citizens are estimated to be without insurance.

I've met many people who live in this small town, and I have seen great sadness. When I look into their faces I cannot help but see the sincerity of their appreciation that we are here and it seems to allay their sadness for a brief moment.

Little things go a long way right now - removing a tree that has crashed through someone's living room; replacing a fence to help make someone feel safe again; tarping a roof before a rainstorm hits in an attempt to protect the few belongings someone has left; clearing a home site for someone who has no insurance. The piles of rubble strewn for several square miles may look like piles of junk to the average person but to these people, it's everything they have ever know and worked hard for. Maybe as we pick up the pieces, in some small way it's helping them begin again.

The team and I have been sleeping at a small church on the edge of town. There are about 50 people staying in every room available. Last night the only place I could find an area to catch a few hours sleep was on a chair in the sanctuary. Between the sounds of people snoring and the achiness from sleeping on an uncomfortable floor, I have not slept well.
But last night as I was falling asleep I could not help but be thankful. My friend Steve Mudd once told me, "Someone always has it worse." Life may not always be perfect but if we step back for a brief moment to think, we can find something to be thankful for.

March 29, 2009 - Fargo, ND Flood

It amazing that during a time when our country is so unstable and many are nervous about the economic climate, Americans still come to the aid of others in need. Even people who have already lost their homes are helping others save theirs.

We have been on standby with the hovercraft rescue boat at the sheriff’s office for a few days now. If there is a significant breach in the levees we will be there to bring people to safety. The sandbagging operation looks like it is working and though the river crested higher than ever-recorded history, it is expected to crest lower than predicted. This is good news for the city. Nevertheless, the river will stay at this level for 3-7 days. Will the manmade levees hold? That is the big question. If they breach, many homes will be under water.

The winds are expected to pick up, which can cause waves that will crash against the levees.

I’m hopeful though! Thousands of people have come together over the past few days, making over 5 million sand bags and building levees that stretch for miles.

It has been tremendous and the good people of Fargo and its volunteers will not give up. The levees are crawling with people looking for the first sign of breaches, ready to defend their homes.

As soon as the waters drop to a safe level we will be heading out, and I think things are looking favorable.

March 26, 2009 - Fargo, ND Floods

Just about six hours before we reached Fargo, I called EOC (Emergency Operations Center) and they explained they were in need of a hovercraft. Though the manmade dikes were holding well, a few people needed to be evacuated in low lying areas and the airboats were experiencing some challenges getting into some areas.

We arrived at 5:50 am to the area they told us to report to – which was a jail – only to find out they decided to evacuate the area due to rising waters. We got diverted over to the sheriff’s office and then on to the public works department where the airboats were congregated.

The First Response Team introduced themselves to the water rescue team of Fargo. We showed them the hovercraft, explained to them what it could do and that we will be available to assist them in any way they may need. They expressed their thanks and asked us to wait with them and be on standby throughout the day…which we were more than willing to do.

The mood was tense because the waters were going to rise higher than they had ever been before. The mayor got on the airways saying, “The river is expected to behave in ways never before observed.” The National Weather Service made some startling announcements about the river and how unpredictable the next few days were going to be.

Though no levees were breaking, I understood the importance of standing by the next few days in case we were needed to evacuate people. Right now the focus should be getting the levy built and then getting everyone to safety.

March 25, 2009 - Fargo, ND Flood

Reports started coming in about the threat of epic floods in Fargo, ND. News stations reported about the great flood of 1897 when the river rose to 40.1 feet. Now, in 2009, the river was predicted to reach a devastating level of 42-43 feet.

That’s not all…Fargo had experienced one of the worse winters in years. Without boring the average person with a detailed weather report, the bottom line is lots of snow and soaked land means the water can go nowhere except stay on top of the ground and drain to the river. To add insult to injury, it’s freezing – not your average flood they usually see in the spring and summer. Freezing water means anyone who gets caught up in the flood waters will be subject to hypothermia.

Sand bagging operations are beginning. I’m hopeful the manmade dikes will hold back the river but if not, they are going to need a hovercraft. There are 100,000 people living in Fargo and just from experience I can tell you not everybody evacuates when they should. If those levees breach they will need our help. We’re headed out now. Looks like a 26-hour trip so we’ll alternate drivers in order to get there quickly. I think it would be a good idea to stop at the hovercraft dealer near Chicago as well. It’s time to upgrade the computer system on the hovercraft so the engine can adapt to temperatures below zero.