Federal Emergency Management Agency
Little Rock,
AR, January 26, 2001 -- When we look back on our lives, we find
that we are most proud of what we did when it mattered the most.
In Arkansas, numerous unsung heroes can be proud of what they
did during this disaster.
"The recent winter ice storms pulled at the very fabric of Arkansas
life," said Joe Bray, federal coordinating officer for the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "But Arkansans are a hardy
bunch. I am grateful to community and state disaster workers for
their professionalism."
Individuals, local and city government officials, members from
voluntary organizations, and the National Guard all came to the
aid of their neighbors during a time of great need. " Extraordinary
measures were taken by ordinary people in the face of this disaster,"
Bray added.
"I have never been more proud to be an Arkansan. The response
from our communities in this situation is a testament that working
together we can weather any crisis," said David Maxwell, state
coordinating officer.
The following is only a small example of a state that worked together.
There are many other untold stories.
The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) activated
the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Conway, December
12 during the first ice storm. Their staff worked around-the-clock
for several weeks. With expectations of Christmas and a well-deserved
break looming ahead, they were surprised to be recalled on Christmas
afternoon to resume 24-hour operations.
As emergency response operations evolved into a disaster recovery,
more than 70 percent of ADEM's personnel were deployed across
the state and to the joint state/federal Disaster Field Office
to work with county and municipal governments. Many of those employees
remain on extended duty through today.
"When all the phone service, cell phone and radio networks were
not working, amateur radio operators came to the rescue providing
emergency communications," said Jerry Roberts, county coordinator
for Sebastian County. "They assisted in restoring communication
to the county sheriff and the emergency medical services. Radio-operators
even rode with sheriff's deputies to provide radio communications."
In the cold and ice with no way to get to the sheriff's and emergency
management services communication tower due to blocked roads,
the 188th Air National Guard Fighter Wing provided a bulldozer
and an operator to cut a new road in addition to providing generators.
The Arkansas National Guard's 39th and 87th Infantry Brigade patrolled
I-30 and I-40 providing generator support. The 2nd of the 132nd,
Field Artillery Brigade out of Ft. Smith also furnished generators
and refueled those generators for shelters and fire stations in
the cities of Bonanza, Mansfield, Hartford and Jenny Lynn, and
at Ramsey Jr. High School. They supplied more than 1,000 households
with necessary water by providing generators for the Milltown-Washburn
water system. The 223rd Combat Communications Squadron offered
additional generator support.
More than 100 people who were unable to get to a community shelter
or their homes were transported thanks to the National Guard.
Several people received their first ride in a HUMVEE ambulance,
provided by the Guard.
To the many people who were house-bound and on oxygen support
systems the rural volunteer fire department, driving to their
door with supplemental oxygen, was a welcomed relief from the
stress they were experiencing.
"People with special needs such as oxygen and breathing machines
are on a list," said Jim Johnson, Dallas County emergency management
coordinator. "We responded immediately to those needs. There was
a man who had recently undergone back surgery. He was in the middle
of adjusting his bed when the power went out. He also received
the use of an emergency generator."
Johnson related that within eight hours the public works department
had the water system up and running thanks to the quick response
of Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM).
The community helped one another. "Individuals without any heat
or electricity themselves prepared hot coffee, on portable camp
stoves, for the electric repair crews." Johnson added. "Others
took up chain saws to clear roads and driveways. Neighbors who
had been fussing and fighting for 10 years helped each other."
All communications in Garland County, including the eight radio
stations, were out of commission as a result of the ice storm.
"Had it not been for the amateur radio clubs and the ham radio
operators, I don't know how we could have done it," said Joy Sanders,
emergency management coordinator for Garland County. "They supplied
us with the equipment and operators that allowed us to keep communications
open and to shuttle messages to Little River, Hot Spring and Montgomery
counties."
The rural volunteer fire departments in Garland County logged
in more than 3,500 hours from December 27 to January 1. "They
shuttled nursing home residents to shelters by day and returned
them to the home at night," said Sanders. "They delivered the
food that was provided by The Baptist Men and the American Red
Cross twice a day to residents. In the middle of all of this there
was a 50-car wreck on the highway. They delivered food to the
state troopers as well."
The Arkansas Baptist Men prepared enough food for the 80,000 meals
delivered by the American Red Cross. More than 3,300 people found
refuge in the many shelters set up by voluntary agencies.
When disaster strikes, getting the job of recovery done, and doing
it well, requires teamwork, cooperation and innovation between
all levels of government, voluntary agencies and each individual.
Now everything is starting to settle down. For the most part,
people have resumed their daily activities. "Garland County was
granted funding by the city and county to upgrade their communication
needs," said Sanders. The debris clearing is underway across the
state, and FEMA has already issued more than $4 million in individual
and family assistance.
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