Update from Jon and Wayne

Well, yesterday's potential rain didn't happen, so we're still dry as a bone with no rain in September and less than half an inch since mid-August.

WVFD Chief Jackson provided me with news from Jon Huff and Wayne Wallace, who volunteered for relief work in Louisiana following Katrina and Rita. They're our guys!

Firefighters Jon Huff of Wolfskin VFD and Wayne Wallace, Chief of Vesta VFD (formerly Training Officer for Wolfskin) report they remain in good spirits and feel appreciated for their efforts--and are usually tired by day’s end. They were transferred from Baton Rouge to Shreveport for Hurricane Rita. Their group of 8 volunteers is stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, along with about 30 from FEMA, and some social workers. Their mission was to set up the disaster shelter at the AFB to receive people displaced from TX and LA by Rita. Many of these folks had fled from LA to TX for Hurricane Katrina, and now they pulled up short-lived roots to evacuate once again from the path of Rita. The shelter was set up to receive 3000 evacuees, but thanks to Rita weakening, they got 300.

FEMA contracted the meals from a private catering company that bought in kitchens on wheels (trailers). Jon said the people in the shelters are “not as bad” as news reports have made them out to be. Of the 2000-3000 people they processed in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, only one was unpleasant to them.

Jon and Wayne volunteered to FEMA immediately after Hurricane Katrina. Their first assignment was to Atlanta for immunizations and training, including four Incident Command classes (all with exams, of course). Fellow volunteers came all over the U.S., even Hawaii and Alaska. They were the only two from GA. When I spoke with the FEMA reps who processed their paperwork, FEMA said the response from volunteers had been overwhelming, but FEMA would be calling volunteers again for replacement crews. The first evolution is for 45 days. Jon plans to renew until December 12, perhaps longer. They say “Hello!” to all back home, and welcome phone calls after they finish work about 7 pm Central Time, but don’t call real late. Morning comes early.

Phyllis

-Wayne (not the same Wayne!)