|
Disaster Response Committee Report September 12, 2005 Dear fellow Chaplains: As rescue efforts now transition to recovery, so do the activities of Spiritual Care givers in the areas affected by hurricane Katrina. Initial responders are in need of self care and stand downs as the effects of exhaustion and compassion fatigue become evident. It is at this point that local resources are becoming organized and effective, picking up much of the work load and spreading it throughout the care giving community. As this transition progresses, there are issues of command, control, accountability, and political turf. Individuals representing themselves as ARC, ICPC, SA, etc. are “presenting” themselves as having been “sent” to help. Although benign in intent, these persons erode the credibility of the organizations they say they represent, as few are either qualified or authentic. This said, let me congratulate the many members of the ICPC who have called Destin and offered their services as needed. We now have personnel available well into the month. I also want to express my admiration and respect for the countless chaplains who have set up disaster relief programs in their own communities and have coordinated with other local Chaplains on a one-to-one collegial basis. What a great networking organization we are! Let me give you a quick summary of what we have done so far in addition to the local response activities. In New Orleans itself, our President Craig Hungler has been working with the New Orleans PD through the FOP to provide CISM support. He has seen the city first-hand and reports that " THIS IS NOT THE TIME OR PLACE FOR CHAPLAINS." Do not even think of going there right now. The greatest storm damage (as distinguished from the flood damage in New Orleans) was in the larger Gulfport area and surrounding towns. Dr. Chuck Lorrain has just returned today from a site survey of that area at the request of the Gulfport PD. He reports utter devastation. A 35-foot tidal surge and 145 mph winds produced a landscape that looks just like Banda Aceh. Local PD’s have lost facilities, patrol vehicles, and communications. Many of the officers have lost their homes as well. At present we have deployed 6 ICPC Chaplains to the Gulfport area at the request of the Gulfport PD. Please keep them in your prayers. Baton Rouge continues to be a media focal point for DMORT and inmate relocation activities. Local, state, and national jurisdictional issues seem to also find focus here as the tangled complex of agencies sort themselves out. At present we have deployed 8 ICPC Chaplains to the Baton Rouge area at the request of the BRPD. Please keep them in your prayers. Houston, the “eye” of continuing displaced persons shelter and care, continues to downstream victims to locations that now spread throughout 15 states. Our initial response to the Houston PD has now increased to 12 ICPC Chaplains but we expect that as the downstreaming continues and as local spiritual care support becomes more effective, we will begin to wind down our participation there after this week. Please keep them in your payers also. San Antonio, continues to operate their shelter program with local spiritual care resources, many of whom are well known ICPC members. An effective demonstration of local leadership and dedication, this cooperative effort with military and local interfaith personnel is a credit to our profession. God bless them. For those Chaplains who have conducted disaster relief activities, whether at home, locally, or as deployed, please look in Sept. 7, 2001 Report for the After Action Report form. Send it to us as soon as you are able. It is through your report that we can understand the needs and demands you encountered and the services you provided. Your feedback will help us prepare for the future. Warning: Personnel in the affected areas report that: 1. Cell phones are erratic so do not depend on them as a reliable source of communications. 2. Since the disaster began, credit card fraud has increased and the credit card companies are on guard. Credit cards are almost useless in many places. 3. You must be self contained. Bring our own medical and personal supplies – extra glasses, medications, etc. Gasoline is virtually impossible to find in some areas, so if you are driving, bring cans of gas to supply yourself. Remember: New Orleans is a NO GO area. Peace. Dr. Wayne Whitelock, CMC A note from the members of the Public Relations Committee, who would be deeply appreciative of your help. Chaplains: With many ICPC chaplains having already responded to requests for assistance in communities affected by Hurricane Katrina and the possibility for others to be activated, it seems that this would provide an opportunity to publicize the important ministry that law enforcement chaplains provide. Your ICPC Public Relations Committee is requesting that, if you have been or will be activated for Hurricane Katrina response, please contact your local print and broadcast media alerting them to the ministry you will provide. Should you have any anecdotes that you believe may be of national interest, please email me at steve.norden@gmail.com . Your ICPC PR committee is attempting to cultivate a list of national media contacts. Finally, if your local media publishes an article or broadcasts a segment about your ministry for Hurricane Katrina relief, please do your best to get a copy to me. Email me and I will contact you directly. Chaplain Steve Norden |