Semper Gumby

Terrell Bosarge, National Team Leader for the Deployable Tactical Operations System (DTOS), discusses the mission and capabilities of DTOS. DTOS is a fleet of USACE emergency response vehicles that deploys nationwide in response to natural or manmade disasters.

In this episode, we tell a collection of stories from USACE responders about their deployments in Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. CJ Hamilton, Todd Miller, Patsy Fletcher, Kerry Kennedy, and Joel Hendrix all share moments from their deployments after this historic, catastrophic hurricane. These stories describe the real and lasting impacts, both professional and personal, that disaster response deployments can have for our volunteers.

Public Law 84-99 Subject Matter Experts Willem Helms and Carl Pigott discuss PL 84-99, Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies, which gives the Corps authority for many emergency management activities. Under PL 84-99, the Chief of Engineers, acting for the Secretary of the Army, is authorized to undertake activities including disaster preparedness, advance measures, emergency operations (flood response and post flood response), rehabilitation of flood control works threatened or destroyed by flood, protection or repair of federally authorized shore protective works threatened or damaged by coastal storm, and provisions of emergency water due to drought or contaminated source.

National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Subject Matter Expert John Beldin-Quinones discusses the NDRF, including an overview of the framework, the USACE role in the Infrastructure Systems Recovery Support Function (IS-RSF), and the roles and responsibilities of the new NDRF IS-RSF Coordinators within the Corps.

Linda Werdebaugh and Ashley Leflore discuss USACE's involvement in the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), including what it takes to get a program ready for assessment, what an assessment week is like, and the benefits of aligning an emergency management program to specific standards.

Temporary Housing Subject Matter Expert Chris Klein and South Atlantic Division's Readiness and Contingency Operations Chief Joel Hendrix discuss the purpose of the temporary housing mission and how the Corps of Engineers may support FEMA in providing temporary housing to displaced people after a disaster.

Infrastructure Assessment (IA) Subject Matter Experts Andrea Ruminski and Shelly Shafer discuss the IA mission, including the purpose of assessing infrastructure after catastrophic events and how the Corps trains the Planning and Response Team that carries out this mission.

Safety and Occupational Health Subject Matter Experts Marjorie McDonald and Dennis Bradley discuss the mission of the Safety and Occupational Health Planning and Response Team, how Safety team members embed with other mission areas and teams during disaster response, and what a Safety PRT member does in the field.

Northwestern Division's John Leighow and Jennifer Chang discuss the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), including what it is, what the impacts from an earthquake in the CSZ could look like, and the devolution plan that their Division is working on in the event of a CSZ earthquake.

Savannah District Emergency Management Chief Dave Peterson discusses personal disaster preparedness tips, including how to begin a disaster kit for you and your family. He also describes several resources, from flood insurance to apps to the wisdom of Dr. Seuss, available to help people become more prepared for natural disasters.