The Lull
Tuesday November 29, 2005
Today I read through two-thirds of a large book providing a context on FEMA and the first information I have seen on what the group I am part of will be doing. It is a good fit.
We are part of the Long Term Recovery Program (LTRP). This program was established after the first set of Hurricanes to hit Florida last year. The concept is to go further than disaster relief and help communities prepare a plan for recovery over the next five years. Implementation is not the responsibility of FEMA, although federal funds might be used – as is the case in many public projects. Unlike many disaster aid programs, the thinking is not limited to restoring what was – whether or not that is appropriate. This is about helping the community recover as envisioned by the people of the community, and about positioning the community to reduce the chances of a similar event having such catastrophic affects.
It is a multidisciplinary, bottom-up planning process. It will involve close interaction with public officials at all levels and public meetings. It is about creating a future better than what might have been if the storms had not occurred. It is a great fit for my passion and my skills.
Based on the level of damage and the local planning capacity, different teams will be established for different Parishes. Some will be large multidisciplinary teams. Others will be smaller teams of specialists. I hope that I am assigned to one of the multidisciplinary teams in more of a generalist role. I am not a specialist and that is not where I can add the greatest value. We shall see.
The Parishes needing the larger teams are mostly around New Orleans or in the Southwest part of the state. My mind says: I hope that I am assigned to the New Orleans area. We shall see.
No matter the role or location that I am assigned – I am confident that it is God’s will and that there is a reason . . . that it will be where I can make a special difference.
I spoke on the phone to both wife and daughter and the trauma of my departure seems to have subsided. Although this evening they both sounded tired. Their pictures are on the desk in my hotel room and I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.
At the end of the day, I finally had an opportunity to meet the LTRP leadership (part of todays reading was a 152 page note pad size book of FIMA acronyms and abbreviations! ;-). Tomorrow morning we will have a more formal orientation. As soon as the FBI check is complete and we receive a FEMA identification badge, we will be given a computer, cell phone and an assignment, and then head to the rented storefront that will serve as that Parish’s headquarters. Those who arrived before Thanksgiving received their badges – the rest of us are impatiently waiting to see where we are going and get to work.
Today I read through two-thirds of a large book providing a context on FEMA and the first information I have seen on what the group I am part of will be doing. It is a good fit.
We are part of the Long Term Recovery Program (LTRP). This program was established after the first set of Hurricanes to hit Florida last year. The concept is to go further than disaster relief and help communities prepare a plan for recovery over the next five years. Implementation is not the responsibility of FEMA, although federal funds might be used – as is the case in many public projects. Unlike many disaster aid programs, the thinking is not limited to restoring what was – whether or not that is appropriate. This is about helping the community recover as envisioned by the people of the community, and about positioning the community to reduce the chances of a similar event having such catastrophic affects.
It is a multidisciplinary, bottom-up planning process. It will involve close interaction with public officials at all levels and public meetings. It is about creating a future better than what might have been if the storms had not occurred. It is a great fit for my passion and my skills.
Based on the level of damage and the local planning capacity, different teams will be established for different Parishes. Some will be large multidisciplinary teams. Others will be smaller teams of specialists. I hope that I am assigned to one of the multidisciplinary teams in more of a generalist role. I am not a specialist and that is not where I can add the greatest value. We shall see.
The Parishes needing the larger teams are mostly around New Orleans or in the Southwest part of the state. My mind says: I hope that I am assigned to the New Orleans area. We shall see.
No matter the role or location that I am assigned – I am confident that it is God’s will and that there is a reason . . . that it will be where I can make a special difference.
I spoke on the phone to both wife and daughter and the trauma of my departure seems to have subsided. Although this evening they both sounded tired. Their pictures are on the desk in my hotel room and I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.
At the end of the day, I finally had an opportunity to meet the LTRP leadership (part of todays reading was a 152 page note pad size book of FIMA acronyms and abbreviations! ;-). Tomorrow morning we will have a more formal orientation. As soon as the FBI check is complete and we receive a FEMA identification badge, we will be given a computer, cell phone and an assignment, and then head to the rented storefront that will serve as that Parish’s headquarters. Those who arrived before Thanksgiving received their badges – the rest of us are impatiently waiting to see where we are going and get to work.
posted by J Corlss at 10:31 PM
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