Arkie John
Active member
This was on my email today. It had a sense of urgency that I have found rare in my dealings with these things. Looks like I'll be leaving next week sometime, so pray for me that I'll be able to make a difference.
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Hurricane Katrina has unleashed an incredible amount of devastation to our Gulf Coast. While search and rescue operations are still underway, it is essential that we begin / increase recovery and restoration operations as soon as possible. There is a significant need for assistance.
Reportedly, more than 1,000,000 people have been displaced and are in need of temporary housing. We anticipate that the USACE Real Estate community will be asked shortly for volunteers to support the variety of missions required in the recovery operations. Real Estate experts for temporary housing, roofing, and debris teams will be in critical need. Along with GWOT, the recovery from Hurricane Katrina is a priority mission for the Corps. Therefore, please emphasize to your staff the importance of this mission, and identify those willing to serve by TDY to the Gulf Coast. It is estimated that the initial needs will be for a minimum of 30 days, but the missions will certainly be on-going for the immediate future.
I recognize that this priority mission will have a serious impact on your normal work, particularly as we get to the end of the FY. Again, I stress that this is a priority Corps mission, and your assistance is needed. LTG Strock has directed that we lean forward in our foxholes to support this critical mission. Options may include the hiring of retired Real Estate employees for Hurricane response or to assist in the District while your employees are TDY. Contractor support where necessary in the District, and project slippage as dictated by staffing levels are among other options to consider.
It is anticipated that formal requests (taskers) are imminent, and that every available Real Estate employee may be needed. Taskers will come through Englink and some have already been posted. Employees need to work with their EOC for specifics, as well as ensure supervisor approval.
In addition, please let me know the impact that deployments have on your operations. Also, please notify J-- L------ of deployments so that we can track our Real Estate members operational status.
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I've been to a bunch of these things, but I must say I have never witnessed the devastation EVER, that I have seen. Earlier messages state that we should be prepared to sleep in sleeping bags in our vehicles, working in the most basic of conditions.
I heard on the radio this morning that the Southern Baptist Convention is massing volunteers (you don't have to be a Southern Baptist!) to depart to the area to run kitchens, shower trailers and to provide other basic needs as they are able. I'm sure there are other organizations in the process of organizing in much the same way. I would encourage you to consider a mission of this sort if you are in a position to do so.
Whether you are able to go or not, we all are able and in the position to thank the God of Creation for a warm, dry place to sleep and for the remaining health we still have. It is my prayer that you will allow Him to make you the person He CREATED you to be.
I'll be in touch when I can. You all mean a lot to me. I won't have a computer--Pssssfffft!Hey! THere won't even be ELECTRICITY for a while. But, I don't need electricity to make a difference.
<><
aj
"To whom much is given, much is required."
****************************************
Hurricane Katrina has unleashed an incredible amount of devastation to our Gulf Coast. While search and rescue operations are still underway, it is essential that we begin / increase recovery and restoration operations as soon as possible. There is a significant need for assistance.
Reportedly, more than 1,000,000 people have been displaced and are in need of temporary housing. We anticipate that the USACE Real Estate community will be asked shortly for volunteers to support the variety of missions required in the recovery operations. Real Estate experts for temporary housing, roofing, and debris teams will be in critical need. Along with GWOT, the recovery from Hurricane Katrina is a priority mission for the Corps. Therefore, please emphasize to your staff the importance of this mission, and identify those willing to serve by TDY to the Gulf Coast. It is estimated that the initial needs will be for a minimum of 30 days, but the missions will certainly be on-going for the immediate future.
I recognize that this priority mission will have a serious impact on your normal work, particularly as we get to the end of the FY. Again, I stress that this is a priority Corps mission, and your assistance is needed. LTG Strock has directed that we lean forward in our foxholes to support this critical mission. Options may include the hiring of retired Real Estate employees for Hurricane response or to assist in the District while your employees are TDY. Contractor support where necessary in the District, and project slippage as dictated by staffing levels are among other options to consider.
It is anticipated that formal requests (taskers) are imminent, and that every available Real Estate employee may be needed. Taskers will come through Englink and some have already been posted. Employees need to work with their EOC for specifics, as well as ensure supervisor approval.
In addition, please let me know the impact that deployments have on your operations. Also, please notify J-- L------ of deployments so that we can track our Real Estate members operational status.
*********************************************
I've been to a bunch of these things, but I must say I have never witnessed the devastation EVER, that I have seen. Earlier messages state that we should be prepared to sleep in sleeping bags in our vehicles, working in the most basic of conditions.
I heard on the radio this morning that the Southern Baptist Convention is massing volunteers (you don't have to be a Southern Baptist!) to depart to the area to run kitchens, shower trailers and to provide other basic needs as they are able. I'm sure there are other organizations in the process of organizing in much the same way. I would encourage you to consider a mission of this sort if you are in a position to do so.
Whether you are able to go or not, we all are able and in the position to thank the God of Creation for a warm, dry place to sleep and for the remaining health we still have. It is my prayer that you will allow Him to make you the person He CREATED you to be.
I'll be in touch when I can. You all mean a lot to me. I won't have a computer--Pssssfffft!Hey! THere won't even be ELECTRICITY for a while. But, I don't need electricity to make a difference.
<><aj
"To whom much is given, much is required."
