Would there be a way IRR could get orders to go help in Texas?

2017-08-29T10:20:52-04:00

Currenly irr army reserves

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2017 11:01 AM

2017-08-29T11:01:24-04:00

I think NG has this covered. Reserves don't do much of this type of thing as I understand.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 29 at 2017 2:02 PM

2017-08-29T14:02:01-04:00

The Reserve system has a good number of EPLO's (Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers) who coordinate with the Regional Command Centers, FEMA, etc. They are good ad ID'ing the right MIL assets to perform critical missions and bringing them on line. The NG is hugely into serving their respective states and are prominent in their state/regional command centers. Bottom line, individual strap hangers, vendors, etc. are the last thing needed now as their enthusiasm to do something requires far more resources to utilize that can be better spent on managing the effort with the preplanned assets. I worked Haiti, Fukushima, San Diego fires, etc. prior to getting out for good on the CS side. I'd go to these conferences where all these people wanted to know who to call when something bad happens. They can't seem to get a grip on they're too little, too late, and will interfere with the overall effort. People who have BHS (Bleeding Heart Syndrone) only after the event occurs are not a help.
Bottom line, if you want to help when this stuff comes up, be an ongoing member of a team whose job it is to participate in response and recovery. If you are a vendor who has stuff that would be needed in an event, be under a BOA (Basic Ordering Agreement) with the local, state, and Federal government. That way, the real people who are leading efforts on the real event, know who to call already. Time is just too precious and short to start ramping up newbies once it has hit the fan.
Finally, consider a side skill as an Emergency Manager. FEMA has a large online curriculum and a specific development program. Since everything is ICS (Incident Command System), once you learn it, you can go anywhere because that's what's used everywhere. If you're a JOPES only type, remember you'll have to unlearn a lot.
That said, there's a great need in the Houston area for watercraft. Rest assured, if you volunteer yourself and your boat, you will be told where to go, who to report to, where to go, etc. Just jumping in somewhere and flailing around harms the rescue efforts. Yes you may pick up a few, but will also constipate the system by your inefficiency.