Therapist Professional Advisory Committee Deployment Experiences |
Responses received from Therapist Officers who deployed with OFRD and replied to a survey conducted by the TPAC are reported below and organized by deployment role.
Details on the role of NIH Commissioned Officers who responded to Hurricane Katrina can be found in the October issue of the Clinical Center News.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Port Allen, LA, 10/05
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: LCDR Darlene M Harmon, IHS, Winslow, AZ
Description of Duties: Assigned to Mobile Team 2, Triage, Physical Therapy, Wound Care
Lessons learned: Do what ever needs to be done.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Gulfport, MS, 9/21 - 10/8/2005
Mission Sponsor: OFRD/CCRF
Deploying Officer: CAPT Louis N. Iannuzzi, PT, HRSA, New York, NY
Description of Duties: Chief Physical Therapist, Director Allied Health Professions, Nevada 1 Mobile Hospital Unit. Provided patient care for in-patient, out-patient, and staff rehabilitation services under austere conditions. Received direct referrals from triage station for management of musculoskeletal pain disorders, rheumatic and osteo-arthritic diseases, wound care, skin conditions, venous insufficiency, and diabetes neurocirculatory diseases. Provided preventive work hardening and occupational safety instruction to staff. In addition provided pedorthic, orthotic, and prosthetic services. Participated in daily "all hands meeting" 0800 hours, provided rehab services from 0900-2300 hours daily. Submitted daily SITREP statistics to incident commander, monitored and ordered necessary supplies required for rehabilitation department. In addition, assisted in emergency evacuation and clean up of hospital compound during and after Hurricane Rita. An impressive total of 189 patients were treated at the Nevada 1 Mobile Hospital from 9/21/05-10/8/05 with the diagnoses ranging from Spinal/disc injuries, joint trauma, soft tissue injuries, wounds, amputations and some chronic conditions.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: The primary lesson learned from a disaster deployment is the successful spirit of interdisciplinary cooperation. Professional officers performed their jobs above and beyond the call of duty to ensure mission success. The patients, many of them indigent or casualties of the hurricane received the highest caliber of quality care at all times. The majority of individuals treated by the Nevada 1 rehabilitation department benefited from immediate and effective physical assessment and treatment implementations in conjunction with follow up and home care instruction. In many cases of acute lumbar, cervical, thoracic, and extremity derangements, manual therapy techniques were extremely effective in providing immediate and lasting relief of pain, restoration of range of motion and preventing loss of function, in the absence of elaborate therapeutic modalities (US, ES, etc). Skilled wound care was especially beneficial in preventing complications of infection and protracted disability. Compression therapy methods were beneficial in treating chronic venous insufficiency and inflammatory disorders. Immobilization and off loading techniques were extremely useful in ameliorating orthopedic, neuropathic lower extremity disorders, and fractures. In the future, it is strongly recommended that the Therapist Category always be included as a primary component of every DMAT. Physical Therapists, in particular, are multitalented medical professionals with a broad base of medical training capable of responding positively in all disaster situations. This deployment has been one of the most professionally rewarding opportunities in my PHS career. The collegiality and professionalism experienced with my fellow officers in an austere environment has provided a deep sense of value and impact to my career. It has provided wonderful lasting memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. I highly encourage all PHS officers to readily volunteer for deployments whenever duty calls to "protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation".
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Meridian, MS, 9/5-16/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: LCDR Karen Kajiwara-Nelson, Aud, IHS, Fort Peck, MT
Description of Duties: Assigned to medical staff as audiology and/or otologic consult initially. Later volunteered to be assigned to the Public Information Officer to write the official plan of the day.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: excellent educational experience on deployment, ICS, military protocol, and disaster management. We need a lot more preparation work, i.e., travel arrangements (need to be done faster or more efficiently); communication systems need to be improved (cell phones didn't work, only a couple of people had computers, teams were separated).
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Gulfport, MS, 9/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: CDR Rita Shapiro, PT, CMS, Baltimore
Description of Duties: Assigned to MS - HAT team four as the clinical supervisor and physical therapist to provide clinical support as needed.
What I really did was: I was a motor vehicle driver, epidemiological surveyor, physical activity planner, educator in military bearing and gave classes on use of proper body mechanics and litter bearing.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: 1) Personal information must always be accurate and updated on the OFRD site. 2) Once deployed and on-site, must be extremely flexible and be willing to do any duties and tasks that are required for mission accomplishment. 3) In austere environment things and situations can change on an hourly basis. 4) Work with team, support each other and make sure to take a little time to yourself and do some form of physical exercise regularly.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Meridian and Gulfport, MS, 9/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: LT Jessica Feda, PT, BOP, Rochester, MN
Description of Duties: 1) Assigned to Operation Magnolia in Meridian, MS. My duties included assisting with initial hospital/shelter design and patient flow. Working closely with environmental health officers to design safe and accessible triage, walkways, restrooms, and living/patient care areas. Ordered all supplies for hospital that related to orthopedic and wound care, positioning, safety, or aids to assist with activities of daily living. We held classes to train patient care staff in injury reduction and safe transfer/lifting techniques. Developed a patient transport system and trained appropriate staff. Set up rehabilitation services and performed all orthopedic care to patients seen at the facility. Also, loaned services to the Naval Air Station in Meridian to provide orthopedic and wound care to their facility.
2) Assigned to Nevada One in Gulfport MS. My duties included Deputy Incident Commander for Augmentation Teams. This involved ensuring requests sent down from SERT for community missions were filled and that the officers' lodging, food, and transportation needs were met. Daily contact was initiated with officers off-site and all pertinent information was recorded in the daily Situation Report. I was in charge of the set-up and design of the rehabilitation services clinic. I am proud of the fact that we were able to set up our section as a part of the urgent care clinic and perform primary care based on initial triage. I ordered all necessary supplies through the appropriate supply chain. Duties included direct access and referral-based care for neuromusculoskeletal injuries and integumentary care. Again, I provided staff training on injury prevention and safe lifting/transfer techniques.Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: I highly recommend that therapists are well-qualified and trained in direct access neuromusculoskeletal care and possess strong orthopedic, wound, and manual therapy care skills. I recommend that therapists come prepared with any texts they may need, handouts (especially simple handouts, that they can add specific directions to), and a USB port memory stick.
Deployment Role: Mental Health Provider
Deployment Mission: Mental Health Disaster Response Training, Rockville, MD, 7/25-29/2005
Mission Sponsor: OFRD (in collaboration with American Red Cross)
Deploying Officers: CAPTs Rebecca Parks and Fran Oakley OTs, NIH; and LTjg Felipe Zamarron, OT, BOP, FMC Rochester
Description of Duties: This course is designed to prepare officers to deploy in the Mental Health Provider role. It is organized to include one day of American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services Training embedded in the week's course which includes an overview of the national response to disaster/mass casualties, coordination of partners in disaster mental health services, psychosocial reactions to disaster/mass casualties, resilience/self-care/practice boundaries, working with tribal nations, suicide and homicide, and OFRD roles and responsibilities.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: This course is superbly organized and effectively taught by speakers who are among the best known and most widely experienced in the field of disaster mental health. In addition to the informative lectures, there are several experiential sessions during the week, giving officers an opportunity to practice application of the lessons being taught. Another strong point about this course is the collective field experience of the participants, most of whom have deployed as mental health providers.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Ivan, FL, 9/27-10/11/2004
Mission Sponsor: Red Cross
Deploying Officer: CAPT Michelle Coleman, OT, SAMHSA/Center for Mental Health Svs./St. Elizabeth/CSA
Description of Duties: Intake and Case Worker. I was processed in which took most of the day. The processing was concerned with health issues to determine fitness for the job, emergency contacts etc. I then went to training that lasted approximately two days. During training I was oriented to the relief operation's mission, vision, resources, logistics, guidelines etc. I was trained for the position I would hold in Family Services. My position was intake/case worker. My specific role was to screen constituents for intake, interview, collect personal data, determine emergency needs, assess damage, provide counseling and make referrals for health care concerns. I also referred constituent to other community services, provided emergency supplies and most importantly award monetary assistance to constituents via the Client Assistant Card and/or voucher.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: There were many lessons learned. The most important lesson was to expect the unexpected. A Disaster situations means that nothing is stable and you make due with whatever works. You must be flexible and creative. It is important that you respect the chain of command even though things maybe unorganized and stressful. You must remember that you are a part of a team. The team's success depends on the respect you have for one another and each member doing their part no matter how big or small. This was a gratifying experience made possible through the corp. My liaison was very helpful as she explained the process and procedure. I was a little anxious when I arrived in the area because transportation and housing was not clearly defined. Exercising along with extra patience, care and compassion was my best stress reliever. Keeping contact with family/friends and knowing this was only a temporary situation helped.
Deployment Mission: Post Hurricane Charlie & Frances, Kissimmee, FL, Gainesville, FL, Daytona Beach, FL, 09/10-24/2004
Mission Sponsor: Red Cross
Deploying Officer: CDR Susanne Pickering, OT, CDC
Description of Duties: Mental Health Role with Red Cross at Special Needs Shelters, with community members at water food distribution site (ERV) for help them manage stress and get assistance needed, with Red Cross staff and volunteers who worked long hours over extended periods of time without time off with disaster stricken people, with people in mobile homes damaged or destroyed by multiple hurricanes, and in service centers where community members come for assistance.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations:
Special Needs Shelter (SNS) recommendations:
1. Elderly/SN populations had difficulty sleeping/resting on low, hard cots with the foam pads. C/o pain and stiffness.
2. Higher cots &/or beds with mattresses are a priority for SNS. SN could not get off cots unassisted. Therapists' skills are well matched to working with and lifting people with mobility limitations, and teaching others to safely perform these duties.
3. SNSs need to have close, adequate and accessible showers and toileting facilities, which are safe, i.e., elderly/ disabled peoples fear of falling on wet tiles in the bathroom.
4. Nutritious healthy food is a higher priority for elderly and special needs populations with pre-existing health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
5. Adequate supplies used by the elderly/ special population should be available, i.e., Depends for people with incontinence. Other supplies such as throat lozenges, tissues, etc. might be made available.
6. Newspapers and other sources of current information are important for SNS residents to stay informed and also entertained. Local libraries and churches sources for old magazines. Need age appropriate magazines of interest to both men and women.
7. Cell phones for residents to call their families/friends to let them know they were safe.
8. Clarify legal limits for SNS staff with a resident who may be a danger to self.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Ivan, Orlando, FL, 9/11 -18/2004
Mission Sponsor: OFRD
Deploying Officer: CAPT Frances Oakley, OT, NIH
Description of Duties: none provided
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: none provided
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Frances, Orlando, FL, 8/9-22/2004
Mission Sponsor: Red Cross
Deploying Officer: LT Jackie Michelle Peterman, OT, SAMHSA/St. Elizabeths Hospital
Description of Duties: Served on various teams providing direct client care in various shelters. Served on a team to reach migrant workers providing food, cleaning supplies, and toys to 170 families. Provided mental health services to Red Cross volunteers for in-processing briefings and out-processing interviews.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: Recommend OT be provided Mental Health Certifications through USPHS. We were initially put in Mass Care because we do not hold a mental health certification, only an Occupational Therapy license. The Red Cross volunteers did not understand our role or how OT fit into mental health and had a limited list of individual professions that "qualified" for the mental health role. After several days in general mass care myself and my co-worker went back to mental health and a new supervisor at Red Cross headquarters was very open to OT, in USPHS, being a Mental Health Provider and apologized greatly for the misunderstanding. Also, recommend a buddy system (two officers being deployed together) for officer's safety.
Deployment Role: Liaison Officer
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Baton Rouge, LA, 10/5 - 22/2005.
Mission Sponsor: OS Deploying Officer: CDR Bernard N. Long, PT, IHS, Aberdeen Area, SD Description of Duties: Assigned to SERT. I was first assigned as the Executive Officer to the Commander of Camp Phoenix. After a week in my deployment, I was assigned the Commander of Camp Phoenix. My duties included direct responsibility of Camp PHX and Camp Allen. Camp PHX primary mission was to staff the ARF's and Missions that were received from the State thru FEMA and USPHS. I was responsible for matching professional categories and sub-specialties to specific mission criteria. I initiated the request for rotation replacements, disciplinary actions and reporting to the SERT. Our first meeting began at 0615 and last meeting typically ended around 2100. Since I have some experience in debriefing I was available to the crew as late as 0100. I hope that by now this is offered through FOHS. I was the point on Contact with Deployed Services who maintained Camp Allen Tent City. I took responsibility for all emergency call for the officers deployed at Camp Allen. Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: I have had training in the NIMS and HEICS, this was helpful to me in my role. I was prepared to work in a Special Needs Shelter. I would suggest to be ready for different roles as needs change. Be somewhat flexible and willing to accept different assignments. There were many professionals who were deployed, who did not work in their professional category and voiced their discontent.
One suggestion I would make is caution in your discussions with local or public officials. Do not give impressions that you are creating Missions even if well intended. My team adhered to a NO-ALCOHOL policy, which I think it is best to continue. You never know when you may be asked to perform in full-capacity. Be respectful of person, place and especially RANK, at all times! Even with friends and co-workers. Example are established, and if not you have an opportunity to establish them. So set them high for others to follow.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Baton Rouge, LA, 9/5 - 10/3/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: LCDR Terry Boles, PT, FDA, Phoenix, AZ
Description of Duties: Assigned to Louisiana ESF 8 SERT initially as Operations Staff Officer and promoted to Logistics Chief. Supervised the logistics staff and managed the daily logistical missions in the theater of operations within Louisiana. Responsible for: Creating resources for medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, oxygen re-suppliers, creating and following action request forms (ARFs), stood up an In-bound Travel desk to relieve in-bound travelers deployment anxiety, review outside ARFs for mission assignments, security officer for international ESF 8 partners and created an e-binder for the SERT to communicate timely information paperless.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations:
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Jackson, MS, 9/5-26/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS/ State of Mississippi
Deploying Officer: CDR Scott Gaustad, PT, BOP, Springfield, MO
Description of Duties: Assigned to the State of Mississippi Secretary's Emergency Response Team. I was assigned the position of Logistics Officer on the Secretary's Emergency Response Team. Was responsible for coordinating all logistical requirements for DHHS assets in the State of Mississippi. Coordinated all the logistical and operational needs for the setup of two inpatient (special needs patients) and outpatient mobile medical field hospitals or e-meds in Mississippi. Designed and implemented an emergency evacuation plan for all DHHS personnel in Mississippi when Hurricane Rita's landfall became eminent. Responsible for tracking for all DHHS (approx. 800) personnel coming into and leaving Mississippi. Responsible for transportation and berthing arrangements of all DHHS personnel in Mississippi.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: The obvious, be flexible and resourceful. Know and study your mission and also meet and work closely with your counterparts in other agencies, for instance, the DoD, FEMA, sponsoring state, etc… I recommend that every officer take the S.E.R.T. training course. I had not and I was behind the power curve for approximately the first week. Do not obligate large sums of money without prior approval (an observation). Travel in uniform and be ready to work when your feet hit the tarmac. Know military (uniform) customs because invariably you will work closely with other uniform personnel, for instance, the DoD and Coast Guard. As a clinician, it is literally "Sports Medicine on the Battlefield". Do not expect E-Stim or ultrasound units or other high-tech gadgets. Be able to take and interpret vital signs. Be a keen neuromusculoskeletal and wound evaluator and be able to treat both. If assigned to a field unit, bring at least two sets of BDUs. If assigned to a more rear location or unit, for instance, S.E.R.T., bring with you at least 2 sets of working khakis.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Rockville, MD, 8/29/05 - 9/11/05
Mission Sponsor: HRSA Deploying Officer: CDR Michelle Jordan, OT, HRSA, Rockville Description of Duties: Assigned to HRSA's Emergency Operations Center to:Deployment Mission: Hurricane Rita, Washington, DC, 9/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: LCDR Mark Melanson, OT, SAHMSA, District of Columbia
Description of Duties: Assigned to the Secretary's Command Center in Washington, DC. My primary role was to document the entire strategic response for Hurricane Rita. This 68 page document led to the after action report sent to Congress from the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: it was a pleasure working closely with our Surgeon General. I was able to sit in on briefings and conference calls and see along with a few of the Command staff, our leader in action. Dr. Carmona was down to earth and responsive to all needs that arose. We are in great hands.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, 9/3-18/2005, Fort Polk (Alexandria) & Baton Rouge, LA
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: CDR Mercedes Benitez McCrary, SLP, CMS, Baltimore
Description of Duties: As Deputy Team Lead to 162 team officers I was in charge of logistics and assigning each officer to different projects while on active 24/7 deployment. Therapist responded well and fulfilled various roles while on deployment in addition to functioning as a therapist or audiologist.
We had our territory defined as the entire state of Louisiana. We were responsible for the Emergency Medical surveillance study at all of the American Red Cross sponsored shelters for the evacuees. I also served as a consultant to other clinicians and patients who were aphasic, and suffered from dysphasia and required feeding assistance. (Patients at Pi Pac at LSU shelter (special Needs shelter).Lessons Learned/ Recommendations:
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, FEMA Headquarters, NRCC, 9/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: LCDR Grant N. Mead, OT, DHHS/OS/OASPHEP, Washington, DC
Description of Duties: Officer responsible to coordinate DHHS ESF #8 relief efforts through the FEMA Region 4 RRCC in Atlanta, GA and the DHHS Secretaries Operation Center in Washington, DC. Officer will coordinate ESF 8 issues with the Department of Homeland Security's National Disaster Medical System (DHS NDMS) ESF 8 representative to ensure that all Public Health and Medical relief efforts are clearly coordinated.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: Recommend that all Officers assigned to assist in future responses to FEMA, have at least the DHHS SERT Training to help understand the "Action Request Form" and "Mission Assignment" process. Additional training through FEMA is available and also recommended.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Jackson, MS, 9-10/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: LCDR Grant N. Mead, OT, DHHS/OS/OASPHEP, Washington, DC
Description of Duties: Officer responsible to coordinate DHHS ESF #8 relief efforts through the Mississippi Secretaries Emergency Response Team (SERT) and the SERT Team Commander (RADM Brenda Holman) and SERT Deputy Commander (CAPT Chris Jones). Operations Chief will coordinate all activities related to Planning, Logistics, Personnel Tracking, and Administration/Finance. Operations Chief oversees all day to day SERT Operations to ensure that the SERT Functions properly and is integrated with the FEMA Joint Field Office (JFO) and the State that is requiring assistance. The Operations Chief also ensures that the SERT Team Commander and Deputy are able to coordinate their efforts at a higher level without interruption of the day to day SERT Operations.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: Recommend that all Officers assigned to assist in future responses to SERT, have at least the DHHS SERT Training to help understand the "Action Request Form" and "Mission Assignment" process. Additional training through OASPHEP will be available and also recommended.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Katrina, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, LA, 9/2005
Mission Sponsor: OS
Deploying Officer: LCDR Henry McMillan, PT, BOP, Butner, NC
Description of Duties: Assigned to SERT as Liaison Officer. I participated in activities in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. I was an original member of Team Orleans. In Baton Rouge, I was selected to be the team leader for the first day. On this day, I was responsible for the entire team. I provided coordination for daily activities and provided in service to the Incident Command System. For the next 4 days, I participated as a Administrative Officer for the Med/ Surg unit of the Pete Marovich Activity Center. I coordinated patient flow and volunteers for this unit. At this point, I was selected to move to New Orleans. I became part of the 7 member Team Orleans. Team Orleans was responsible for the restoration of the Hospital services in the New Orleans area. In particular, I was responsible for Action Requests review and completion as well as logistics for the Team. I was Aide de Camp for RADM Vanderwagen on multiple occasions, as well as the Surgeon General on one occasion. I was extended for 8 days. My total deployment time was 22 days.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: It was a demanding, but very enjoyable deployment. I would actually like to return to New Orleans for completion of this mission. I think that each therapist should strive to participate in advanced trainings with CCRF so that they may increase their opportunity for an active deployment.
Deployment Mission: State of the Union Address, Washington, DC, 02/02/2005
Mission Sponsor: OFRD
Deploying Officer: CDR Rita Shapiro, PT, CMS, Baltimore
Description of Duties: Strike Team Member. Reported to the Secretary's Command Center, received emergency protective equipment. Positioned the van ready for deployment should the emergency supplies be needed in case of emergency. Awaited orders.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: Must be familiar with WMD and read appropriate material before deployment. (Having done that, was very beneficial to me).
Deployment Mission: 2005 Presidential Inauguration, Washington, DC, 01/20/2005
Mission Sponsor: OFRD
Deploying Officer: CDR Mercedes Benitez McCrary, SLP, CMS, Baltimore
Description of Duties: Participated in pre-deployment training and extensive briefing for medical teams at OFRD. On the deployment day, was assigned to the epidemiology team that was responsible to oversee the 3-4 tents out 22 + medical tents that were operational on the mall on that day. Every hour, I would evaluate the database of the 3-4 tents and note the types of injuries and maintain a clear and concise on a previously designed format. I served as a SLP head injury consultant to one injured officer. My team and I maintained a full record of issued equipment. Visited different medical stations to check status of equipment and supplies. At the conclusion of mission, tabulated and collected every team members forms there were 14 teams and organized the forms for CDR R. Joskow, CCRF.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: This was an excellent deployment, as a clinician that specializes in restorative medicine, therapeutic rehabilitation and epidemiology I was able to use some of my skills including serving as a fluent Spanish speaker to assist officers of the security force. I wore a free to roam security badge and was allowed to roam freely throughout the secure site. Make sure you have identification always; prepare yourself as I did by carrying a copy of the Glascow Coma Sensory Scale just in case. The US PHS enjoyed a definite presence and we were very much appreciated by our sister services this event let our sister services know what we are made of and afforded improved the visibility to the PHS Officers. We enjoyed excellent cooperation with other agencies like DC Dept. of Health, and the DoD Medical groups.
Deployment Mission: 2005 Presidential Inauguration, Washington, DC, 01/20/2005
Mission Sponsor: OFRDDeploying Officer: CDR Rita Shapiro, PT, CMS/Baltimore
Description of Duties: Participated in pre-deployment training at OFRD. On the deployment day, issued safety equipment to all officers assigned to the field medical stations. Maintained a full record of issued equipment. Visited different medical stations to check status of equipment and supplies. At the conclusion of mission, received all equipment back from officers, appropriately cataloged and returned to the ASPHEP equipment cache'.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: This was an excellent deployment, which afforded good visibility to the PHS Officers and cooperation with other agencies like DC Dept. of Health, and the DoD Medical groups.
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Charley, Washington, DC, 09/2004
Mission Sponsor: Red Cross, OS
Deploying Officer: CDR Mercedes J. Benitez McCrary, SLP, CMS, Baltimore, MD
Description of Duties: Deployed to the SERT team, ESF-8 leader for first weekend and week of initial hurricane. I set up the process for the remaining shifts. I was involved in briefing the other team members as well as senior staff at Homeland Security and FEMA. I translated for a Florida TV and RADIO station. They were requesting to scheduled interview of the US Public Health official, the Surgeon General Carmona. Ordered and provided information to allow the appropriate staff to be deployed to specific sites.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations:
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Charlie/Frances, Atlanta, GA, 09/06-09/2004
Mission Sponsor: DHHS Region IV Deploying Officer: CDR Susanne Pickering, OT, CDC/AtlantaDescription of Duties: Staffed ESF-8 Desk for 12 plus hour shifts at FEMA Region IV Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Responded to questions and request from others in response to Hurricanes Charlie and Frances, and preparations for Hurricane Ivan. Liaison of information between Federal staff on the ground in Florida and in Florida State headquarters in Tallahassee with ESF-8 Monitoring
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: none provided
Deployment Mission: G-8 Summit, Sea Island, GA, 06/06-11/2004
Mission Sponsor: OFRD/ASPHEP
Deploying Officer: LCDR Rita Shapiro, PT, CMS, Baltimore, MD
Description of Duties: Attended a two-day briefing
prior to deployment. Liaison Officer at the FEMA-MST (Medical Support Team) site.
Covered 12-hour shifts with another officer. I was on nights. Provided reports of
emergency services to ROC (Regional Operations Center) Attended daily telcon with
the Secretary's Command Center
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations:
Pre-deployment brief extremely beneficial in this type of deployment. Must attempt
to do a one to two week tour at the Secretary's Command Center. Deployment Mission: G8 Summit, Brunswick, GA, 06/06-11/2004 Deployment Sponsor: OFRD/CCRF Deploying Officer: CDR Susanne Pickering, OT, CDC, Atlanta, GA Description of Duties: Staffed USPHS post at Brunswick, GA as part of the Secretary's Emergency Response
Team (SERT) on split shift of 12 hours each in response to US hosted Global 8 (G8)
Summit of world leaders. Worked onsite with Georgia District Health Department who
was monitoring and responding to health and public health concerns. Liaison with
DHHS Region IV Command Center leadership and staff District public health status
update to SERT Situation Reports, which in turn were relayed to the DHHS Secretary's
Command Center in Washington, DC. Utilized communication equipment including cell
phone and radio, and computer linkage using the "E-Team" secure web system. Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: Importance of:
Deployment Role: Health Educator Deployment Mission: DC Health Department, Lead Crisis, Washington, DC, 9/04 Mission Sponsor: OFRD/ DC Health Department Deploying Officer: CDR Mercedes J. Benitez McCrary, SLP, CMS, Baltimore Description of Duties: Reported to the DC Department of Health, was assigned to one of 7 teams to visit different clinical, day care, homes in the affected target area. I was trained and received emergency equipment. Collected data and partially functioned as a epidemiologist. Assisted in the collection of blood and organized the collection process for more than 1456 patients we collected bodily fluids on throughout my teams' deployment. I received and wore emergency protective equipment. Lessons Learned/ Recommendations:
1. Routine and alternate communication systems.
2. Good communications and working relationships with partner State and District
Staff, CCRF staff and others.
3. Clearly communicating and clarifying information
as much as possible to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate information when
passing information up the communication chain of command.
4. Observing safety
precautions even when off duty due to potential for problems any place at any time
(demonstrators in this case).
Deployment Mission: Hurricane Frances/Jeanne, FL, 10/8-21/04
Mission Sponsor: Red Cross
Deploying Officer: CDR S. Michelle Hooper, Aud, IHS
Description of Duties: Family Services Outreach Caseworker. Interview families to assess disaster needs and resources. Make home/site visits to verify damage. Counsel families concerning application procedures, documentation and alternate resource agencies. Initiate and process Red Cross payment vouchers.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: Working with the Red Cross was a highly educational and rewarding experience. I was deployed later in the disaster so their Orlando organizational structure was going strong. Hotel rooms were billed directly to the Red Cross and I was issued a credit card for meals and incidental expenses which worked very well. It is important to be flexible as you may arrive at one assignment only to be sent on to another. It is also important to maintain a sense of humor as training is minimal and the paperwork unfamiliar. I found the khaki uniform soiled easily and wrinkled in the humid climate. I was only able to wear each uniform for one day. Something more durable is needed for working in the field.
Deployment Mission: Hurricanes Frances and Ivan, Atlanta, GA, 09/07-20/04
Mission Sponsor: FEMA
Deploying Officer: CAPT Ivana Williams, PT, HRSA, HIV/AIDS Bureau
Description of Duties: Provided administrative support to the FEMA Training and Deployment Center. Had myriad responsibilities, but primarily manned and oversaw the other CCRF officers in the Administrative section of the facility. Developed and maintained a secure database of over 2,000 newly hired FEMA emergency responder employees; assured Department of Justice clearance of these employees, and provided much needed organizational direction and recommendations. Also provided the Federal Operations Officer (Director of mission) with direct assistance in preparing public relations documents for speeches, letters, etc.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: Be flexible. Although I was contacted by CCRF to report to Atlanta and ship out to Florida in a deployment team, there was a greater need for some of the officers to remain in Atlanta and help orchestrate the largest disaster deployment mission ever carried out by FEMA. The nine CCRF officers kept in Atlanta were assigned to every part of the Command Center and learned extensively what deployment responsibilities were at that level. This training helped us all to be much more effective in coordination, orchestration and leadership roles in future disasters.
Deployment Mission: Hurricanes Frances, Rockville, MD, 09/03-04/04
Mission Sponsor: HRSA Emergency Response Center
Deploying Officer: CAPT Ivana Williams, PT, HRSA, HIV/AIDS Bureau
Description of Duties: Responsible for monitoring and participating in meetings of Agency ERCs with the Secretary's Operations Center. When CCRF was activated, responsible for contacting HRSA officers with deployment roles that matched the need of the request. Monitored status reports on computer of the hurricane and responders. Was on call to report to the Secretary's Command Center if needed.
Lessons Learned/ Recommendations: Take notes, pay attention and ask questions. Activities are not difficult, but must be done consistently and as directed. These officers play a very major role in being able to access officers immediately for deployment to disaster areas.
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