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I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

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Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#71

Post by webnrrd2k »

sokoloff wrote: post #15
wnissen wrote: post #4

Why don't we have people doing this dispatch professionally? What are FEMA and the Red Cross doing if not helping coordinate emergency response when the normal channels are overwhelmed? Don't get me wrong, this person, and all those who aid the rescue efforts, is a hero. Don't the people who do this deserve to get paid and have resources for dealing with PTSD? And don't the victims deserve organized, professional res…

> And don't the victims deserve organized, professional response? Would you prefer an organized, professional response in two days, or an impromptu Walter-Mitty-wants-to-help response in an hour? I don't think it's ever feasible to rely only on professionals for response to wide-scale events like this. You need neighbors helping neighbors. Think about whatever naturally sourced neighborhood disruption strikes your ar…

I think the question is: why should it take two days to get a couple of dispatchers out to a disaster area? As a nation, we put a lot of money into FEMA, etc..., and it's not hard to predict that there will be a need to coordinate volunteers. Why not have a shipping container or two and some people who are in the area before the storm hits? They could a generator, fuel, radios, tents, etc... and put together a small incident response center on the ground before hand. It wouldn't have to be much, just the basics to assess and direct resources available on the ground. I imagine a couple of guys with radios, maps can get a huge amount done towards coordinating volunteers, helping to make things more efficient, and helping people to be safe.

I'm on a volunteer fire department, and have had the same concerns, although on a more local level.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#72

Post by lobotryas »

forkandwait wrote: post #64

I wish there were a disaster militia, with something like quarterly weekend trainings, with some FEMA sponsorship but still independent. It would be fun to practice ham communications and boat rescue anyway, and a little bit of practice could have a huge impact when the shit is truly hitting the fan.

You should look into whether Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is available for your area: https://www.ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team

If it's not, you may want to work on partnering with local emergency services to get one going.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#73

Post by forkandwait »

froindt wrote: post #68
forkandwait wrote: post #64

I wish there were a disaster militia, with something like quarterly weekend trainings, with some FEMA sponsorship but still independent. It would be fun to practice ham communications and boat rescue anyway, and a little bit of practice could have a huge impact when the shit is truly hitting the fan.

That's sort of what the national guard is for. They train a couple weeks per year and respond to situations like this.

Well, the national guard aren't civilians or local, plus they get sent to fight in wars and shit.

I am thinking more like a level below volunteer firepeople, with some regional and national coordination.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#74

Post by vkou »

froindt wrote: post #68
forkandwait wrote: post #64

I wish there were a disaster militia, with something like quarterly weekend trainings, with some FEMA sponsorship but still independent. It would be fun to practice ham communications and boat rescue anyway, and a little bit of practice could have a huge impact when the shit is truly hitting the fan.

That's sort of what the national guard is for. They train a couple weeks per year and respond to situations like this.

They also get sent to wage wars of aggression overseas, when the regular army gets stretched too thin.

They will also be deployed domestically to repress public uprisings, etc.

If you want to help people, you're better off becoming a firefighter. Unfortunately, outside of some small community volunteer firefighter groups, this really isn't an option. The National Guard does not fill this gap.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#75

Post by forkandwait »

lobotryas wrote: post #72
forkandwait wrote: post #64

I wish there were a disaster militia, with something like quarterly weekend trainings, with some FEMA sponsorship but still independent. It would be fun to practice ham communications and boat rescue anyway, and a little bit of practice could have a huge impact when the shit is truly hitting the fan.

You should look into whether Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is available for your area: https://www.ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team If it's not, you may want to work on partnering with local emergency services to get one going.

Isn't that a one off class? Cool, but an organization needs maintenance to be activated well in a pinch.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#76

Post by neurotech1 »

forkandwait wrote: post #64

I wish there were a disaster militia, with something like quarterly weekend trainings, with some FEMA sponsorship but still independent. It would be fun to practice ham communications and boat rescue anyway, and a little bit of practice could have a huge impact when the shit is truly hitting the fan.

There is a militia, usually referred to as State Guard and several states have a Naval/Maritime regiment, including Texas[0]. Unlike the National Guard, the State Guard regiments are under the Governors command only.

There is also the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps[1], which have other public health roles, in addition to deployment during natural disasters. The PHSCC deploys with the Coast Guard for sea duty. USA Freedom Corps[2], and AmeriCorps[3] play a role in disaster response.

Team Rubicon[4] is a group of veterans that deploys in disaster response. I think they have small boat capability.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_State_Guard#Maritime_Reg...

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Public_Health_Se...

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Freedom_Corps

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AmeriCorps

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Rubicon

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#77

Post by iamrecursion »

harryh wrote: post #47
lukejduncan wrote: post #36

When Katrina hit, I remember finding the blog of a guy who had a company doing custom websites in New Orleans on the front page of hacker news. He stayed there through the storm and after, and I remember sitting in the undergraduate library at Wayne State University fighting back tears reading it. This had a similar affect on me. Very powerful story. It wasn't clear to me, but I'd love to learn more about the tech po…

You might be thinking about https://interdictor.livejournal.com/2005/08/ ?

This is a haunting read, but gripping at the same time. Thank you for posting it.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#78

Post by wnissen »

justin66 wrote: post #17
wnissen wrote: post #4

Why don't we have people doing this dispatch professionally? What are FEMA and the Red Cross doing if not helping coordinate emergency response when the normal channels are overwhelmed? Don't get me wrong, this person, and all those who aid the rescue efforts, is a hero. Don't the people who do this deserve to get paid and have resources for dealing with PTSD? And don't the victims deserve organized, professional res…

> Why don't we have people doing this dispatch professionally? Professionals train and plan to coordinate the work of other professionals. Volunteers from outside that process can supplement their work or serve in other roles entirely. Your questions imply that there is something wrong with more chaotically organized volunteers supplementing the work of those professionals without close supervision. You couldn't be m…

I'm donating my 38th pint / 17th liter of blood this Friday. I phone banked during the election, participate in two local community organizations, etc. So I'm going to have to ask that you take it on good faith that I believe strongly in both individual and organizational contributions.

My question is, what would have happened if the author hadn't stepped up to do dispatch? You would have had people searching blindly street by street, not knowing where they were needed. I am not for one second advocating that neighbors (or strangers) don't step up to help when needed, even at great personal risk.

By all reports the disorganized response ended up working well in difficult circumstances. But when (not if) there is an earthquake in a major city, this level of response is going to cost many lives. You will have a million people in need of food, water, and medical attention. There will be no power (let alone cellular service or Internet needed to run an app). There will be no gasoline because the pipelines will be out of service and a good number of the refineries are near fault lines. And you will have no warning.

We spend a trillion dollars a year on the Defense Department (and before anyone asks, I support that, too) that can, as noted elsewhere, project military force almost anywhere in the world, within hours. It's justifiably marveled at for its capability. Why can't we make it a national goal to get 911 up and running in a disaster zone in our own country within a similar time period?

I used the word heroes to describe the volunteers, your interpretation that I could possibly have been opposed them contributing is uncharitable at best.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#79

Post by giardini »

hsod wrote: post #69
doodlebugging wrote: post #43

We used Zello when we were down there with a boat. We are just regular people, not part of anyone's navy, just a few guys with a boat that were part of a much larger civilian response to this disaster. About the Cajun Navy - There were so many people responding to this disaster wanting to help with their time and boats that many times we found ourselves staging to launch but ultimately unable to get in the water beca…

Why were people lying about rescuers being in danger? Just trolls? I think we would have heard by now if there were pirates out there stealing rescue boats at gunpoint.

Not necessarily lying or trolling. Persons with a low anxiety threshold may post (and re-post) a single report or rumour, not realizing that they thereby create problems rather than assist.

Re: I downloaded an app and was part of the Cajun Navy

#80

Post by neurotech1 »

hsod wrote: post #69
doodlebugging wrote: post #43

We used Zello when we were down there with a boat. We are just regular people, not part of anyone's navy, just a few guys with a boat that were part of a much larger civilian response to this disaster. About the Cajun Navy - There were so many people responding to this disaster wanting to help with their time and boats that many times we found ourselves staging to launch but ultimately unable to get in the water beca…

Why were people lying about rescuers being in danger? Just trolls? I think we would have heard by now if there were pirates out there stealing rescue boats at gunpoint.

It happened.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/volunteers-helping-harvey-victi...

The National Guard and Coast Guard are armed and did respond to rescuers being attacked. Not sure if they actually fired back in response, or only forced them to leave.

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