Volunteers For Rescue Operation

[Bill Tabor]

I was wondering if any of you were thinking of grabbing a boat and heading to New Orleans etc to assist in the recovery and rescue operations? Do you think this is feasible given blocked roadways etc?

[Andrew Geil]

If you are at all familiar with the Utica, Illinois response and the... volunteers who showed up to help with the situation, you know this is one of the dumbest things you can do.

Only trained, approved responders should be entering what is the equivlent of a war zone. Do you know the situation? Do you have intelligence data on any hazmat situations that have developed? Sucking down a cloud of chlorine gas isn't the best way to rescue people. What about food, water, supplies... you'll need them to be out for more then a few hours. Are you prepared to deal with rioters, or people in desparate situations? Do you know what post-traumatic stress is? Are you sure you can handle it after seeing potentially hundreds of dead bodies?

Think its bad now? Wait until these people have no water, no food, are hot, tired, impatient, and surrounding by the smell of rotting corpses.

I will likely have an opporitunity to go down in a recovery emergency management role in the next couple of weeks; it will not be a pleasant experience. And that will be weeks after the orginial incident.

Short answer: Stay out. If you don't heed, I'm sure the cops or military will tell you where to go.

[J West]

If you are at all familiar with the Utica, Illinois response and the... volunteers who showed up to help with the situation, you know this is one of the dumbest things you can do.


Lost Creek, yes?

If you think showing up at a disaster without an invite is a good idea, then read this:

http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/a...nId=46&id=42987 (http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=46&id=42987)

[Andrew Geil]

Yeah, Lost Creek. Who woulda thought a bunch of sex offenders riding around on their personally owned fire truck would be such a bad idea? Tisk tisk.. ;)

[Bill Tabor]

I wasn't talking about impersonating a first responder. I was talking about people showing up and volunteering to help out other organizations with any relief efforts - assuming they need man power.

I agree it could be a crazy situation down there though. It's not just a bunch of old people sitting on their roofs waiting to be rescued. Sounds like anarchy has broken out and anything goes. This of course will just get worse. They will need the guys with M16's very soon to do it right. That said, there are still a ton of people that really do need rescue by helicopters and now boat. With no water and disease spreading these people don't have much time. They need a ton of resources immediately to get these folks out in time or it will be too late.

[HAltschule]

As a volunteer firefighter for 17 years, I can tell you that they won't let you in to do this. As good as it may sound, they require trained and qualified individuals who can handle any of these tasks. As admirable as it sounds, I think highly of you for the idea, you will be rejected. If not solely for insurance reasons.

[Dustin Wilcox]

They will allow for volunters to assit in recovery, here in a couple of days. They may not allow Billy Bob and His sister betty lou to come strolling in with their john boat but the red cross and I am sure other orginazations will be looking for volunteers.

[David Schuttler]

Call your local Red Cross and sign on with them. They will put you where needed or best fitted for what you can help on.

[Rob_Davis]

They will allow for volunters to assit in recovery, here in a couple of days. They may not allow Billy Bob and His sister betty lou to come strolling in with their john boat but the red cross and I am sure other orginazations will be looking for volunteers.
In a couple of days, they won't need boat volunteers. They are calling for them right now. The question is, do the cops running the roadblocks on I-10 know that? With little to no communications, I suspect the story you get will vary with every official you talk to.

The Lost Creek example is completely irrelevant to this situation. You cannot reasonably translate experiences with Podunk VFD to the management of a disaster of this magnitude. And it is irresponsible to insinuate Bill is suggesting impersonation or buff-like behaviour. That's way off base.

It's a darned risky move. As has been mentioned, the hazards are innumerable, hidden, and uncommunicated. Not only are you dealing with the environmental hazards, but the human hazards of desparate people. If they decide they want your truck or boat, it's theirs. I don't think I'd do it. You're just as likely to end up being just another victim instead of a rescuer. But it's a noble thought, and it's a personal decision.

The Red Cross suggestion is, in most cases, the best way to go.

[Chris Sokol]

Harry Lee (Jefferson Parish Sheriff) called for anybody with a boat to come in for rescue detail...anybody, even Joe Bob Nobody. And the way it was worded, it almost didn't seem like just a request.

Comparing individuals that want to help in an ongoing major disaster, which has completely exausted local resources, to the Lost Creek situation is completely rediculous.

[Andrew Geil]

I use the Lost Creek situation not as an example of imposters or wanna bes (even tho they are); but as an example of people who don't need to be in a disaster scene. Utica, or New Orleans, the government is telling people to get out of town. Joe Bob who has a boat, but no knowledge of the situation or the area, is likely to be quite a liability.

[Rob_Davis]

I expect you would feel differently if you were trapped in your attic right now. :wink:

[Andrew Geil]

Nah, I feel like someone whose heading down there with my EMA shortly. :) The last thing we need is more victims. I think we all agree on that.

[Amos Magliocco]

"5:04 P.M. - Officials are asking anyone with a boat that wants to help with rescue operations to call 225-765-2706."

This note appeared in the WWL TV blog (http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html) online.

I was thinking today that with time running out for potentially thousands of people, it's time to stop worrying about who is trained and who isn't, so long as they can pilot some kind of watercraft.

[Anonymous]

I am Joe Bob Nobody. I know the city. and have have a fat flat bottom boat, and was ready to join the local convoy to N.O. That all changed after watching the looters. New Orleans is a dirty dangerous place. Probablyly cleaner now with sewage floating around. Lets say all the other Joe Bobs, Billy Rays and Bubbas couldent give a rats ass about N.O.
My efforts will be elsewhere.

[Rob_Davis]

I can't say that I blame anybody who might feel that way. :(

[J West]

The only way i'd volunteer is if I was authorized to carry a weapon and use it against lootting/theft of my boat or items in my immediate control.

It's unfortunately come to this point.

Bring in the gunships.

[Rob_Davis]

The only way i'd volunteer is if I was authorized to carry a weapon and use it against lootting/theft of my boat or items in my immediate control.
They're not stopping looters from carrying guns. You wouldn't think they would stop you either. It's probably "don't ask, don't tell."

[Jarrod Cook]

What we need is volunteer amateur radio operators down there helping if that is possible in some way. Communications are still down in most areas.

[J West]

Yeah, my MTS2000 in one hand and the 870 Marine Magnum in the other.

Thanks, but no thanks :shock: