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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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