Diversity in Limbo
Wednesday November 30, 2005
When I arrived at the offices of the Long Term Recovery Team on Tuesday morning, there were six people sitting in the “training room.” This area behind dividers at the far end of the floor has two rows of 3 tables with mostly empty folding chairs on either side.
Three of those here had been part of a group to arrive before Thanksgiving. By mid-afternoon all had received calls that their background checks were complete. As they exited limbo the area slowly filled with new arrivals. By this afternoon approximately 20 people sit reading the guidebook and chatting – wondering what they will be doing, where they will be assigned, and when their call will come to pick up their badge and also exit limbo.
The person heading up the LTRT operations has the daunting task of reviewing the speculated needs of each county, the resumes of the 200 people who will be part of the team and trying to match them over about a two or three day period – while doing many other things at the same time.
And the people in the room are a diverse bunch. There are people from New England (me) to southern California; from Florida to the Pacific Northwest; and everywhere in between – including New Orleans. Ages range from relatively new graduates to a retired fellow. They are local hires and contractors from or hired by many different firms. There are planners, engineers, architects, financial analysts, public affairs people, and other professionals. Caucasians, Blacks, an Egyptian and a Sri-Lankan. Catholics, Baptists, a Christian Scientist, . . . Some are idealistic, some cynical. Some look excited to be here, some are just here. All are impatient – tired of reading and wanting to get their badge, wanting to get to work, for many wanting to start making a difference.
I am hoping that being one of the first of this week’s group to have their fingerprints taken, I will be one of the first to get a call, get an assignment, get to work. Maybe tomorrow.
When I arrived at the offices of the Long Term Recovery Team on Tuesday morning, there were six people sitting in the “training room.” This area behind dividers at the far end of the floor has two rows of 3 tables with mostly empty folding chairs on either side.
Three of those here had been part of a group to arrive before Thanksgiving. By mid-afternoon all had received calls that their background checks were complete. As they exited limbo the area slowly filled with new arrivals. By this afternoon approximately 20 people sit reading the guidebook and chatting – wondering what they will be doing, where they will be assigned, and when their call will come to pick up their badge and also exit limbo.
The person heading up the LTRT operations has the daunting task of reviewing the speculated needs of each county, the resumes of the 200 people who will be part of the team and trying to match them over about a two or three day period – while doing many other things at the same time.
And the people in the room are a diverse bunch. There are people from New England (me) to southern California; from Florida to the Pacific Northwest; and everywhere in between – including New Orleans. Ages range from relatively new graduates to a retired fellow. They are local hires and contractors from or hired by many different firms. There are planners, engineers, architects, financial analysts, public affairs people, and other professionals. Caucasians, Blacks, an Egyptian and a Sri-Lankan. Catholics, Baptists, a Christian Scientist, . . . Some are idealistic, some cynical. Some look excited to be here, some are just here. All are impatient – tired of reading and wanting to get their badge, wanting to get to work, for many wanting to start making a difference.
I am hoping that being one of the first of this week’s group to have their fingerprints taken, I will be one of the first to get a call, get an assignment, get to work. Maybe tomorrow.
posted by J Corlss at 7:32 PM
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