FEMA: Notes from the Field

Early in September 2005, I volunteered to transfer to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the Department of Homeland Security for Hurricane Katrina relief duty. A few days later, I was called up and told to fly to Orlando in three days to begin training and my 30-day deployment! It was an eye-opening experience. I was part of the team that created and opened the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Tyler, Texas, that served both Katrina and Rita evacuees. For the most part, I served as a "caseworker," assisting 20 to 50 families per day in Tyler. Below are some photos of my experience. For more information, see my FEMA: Notes from the Field, which was drawn from my MS PowerPoint presentation I made at the Department of Commerce that week after I returned.

For a larger photograph, click on the small picture below.

First training: Florida Long-term Recovery Office in Orlando	Standard issue: badge, shirts, and cap. And a can of "Off" bug spray.	Dallas Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Convention Center
New Disaster Recovery Center in Tyler, Texas	Local TV coverage -- with Bart walking behind reporter	Word gets out -- and the lines form before 7:30am
American Red Cross gives out debit cards -- and lines are even longer	A typical day inside the Tyler Disaster Recovery Center	More photos of typical day at the Tyler DRC, including Bart assisting an applicant
Food bank operation at the Tyler DRC run by the amazing Tyler PATH .	Some more of my awesome colleagues at the Tyler Disaster Recovery Center.