jgvernonco

Well, I finished my first day of training, which was shelter management. Tomorrow, I take Health and Mental Health. Monday, I take CPR and First Aid (my cards were expired).

It's a very interesting experience just training. Lots of forms that you need to know, etc, etc.

The coordinator says that national has announced that chapters need to reruit more nurses, and I am the only RN from the last three trainings.

So, my availability will be posted Monday night, and I have betr a soda with the coordinator that my call will come in Tuesday. They try to give two days from call-up to fly out for the volunteer to prepare, and they give you $150.00 to fill out your wardrobe, etc (there is a recommended list, like going to camp.

Since nursing in the shelters is 24/7, I will proably only see my motel room on my one day per week off. I am going to spend the majority of my money on a decent, lightweight mummy bag; one of those with a little pillow built in, as I think I will be sleeping in the shelter the rest of the time. All my bags are just to bulky for this mission, as I have to get everything for three weeks in one bag.

The Coordinator asked national where I would wind up, and the answer was Texas, Mississippi or Alabama. They also said to tell me to be prepared to move if the population in my first shelter drops.

They just happened to mention that I could take two weeks off, then sign up for another 3.

So I'll have some studying to do over the weekend, although I am taking Jacob fishing on Saturday, come hell or high water.

This is just a very interesting process. I would recommend it to anyone who has two - three weeks to spare. Perhaps, about weeek #2, I might change that recommendation.

I am told that I should have internet access at the shelter, whichever one I am sent, so I am hoping I can deliver some blow-by-blow accounts here.

We saw some pictures of Texas, Mississippi and Alabama today, and they were hit a lot harder than the press had led me to believe.

More info will come as this thing develops.

dai

rather you than me enjoy yourself

koala

That would be interesting. If you can post some pics as well it will make a great little historical document you can look back at years later.

Good luck, I hope it goes well for you.

Sealy

Terrific Jg!! If ya get sent her to MS, lemme know and we'll stop in to visit ya :) Oh and thank you for volunteering yourself and services :)

Ha-y-n

hats off brother, this world needs more people like you, good luck and be safe.

jgvernonco

Four classes down and two to go, on Monday. The coordinator bet me a can of pop that I will get my call-up on Tuesday.

We'll se.

Seal, I am either going to Alabama, MS or TX. I let everyone know what I know before I go.

Tumbleweed36

Hi jg,

The wife and I would like to say "God Speed" and a great big thanks to you for taking this step on behalf of all Americans. It is individuals like you that make this country the great place that it is. We will look forward to hearing how things are going.

RavenMind

Good luck to you JG! It's a great thing you are doing for those people. I wish you all the best!

mimo2005

Good luck JG , i hope we cam learn something from your experience , if you can open a thread like a blog and we can follow your steps through this experience .

Grove

Good Luck JG. I always wanted to know how to be a qualified medical umm ... person. (can't think of the word)

Hope it all works out for you

bry623

God Bless You!!!!!!!!

jgvernonco

Good day, all...

I have received my deployment notice. I am flying out Saturday morning, destinatuion Dallas via Minn/St Paul.

My time on line will shrink drastically now, as I have a lot of shopping, packing, and working with local ARC staff to do.

My actual assignment will be given to me when I arrive in Dallas. The situation is very fluid. I am told that I may be isued a rental car to travel to one of the more distant shelters.

I am already being recruited for international, but I must do a national assignment, first. While I was at the chapter yesterday, I met two young men who were deploying, that day, to Pakistan. I am very grateful for this opportunity to help others in such a tragedy.

Danrak and I are working on a couple of channels which would allow me to keep all of you up to date on my experiences. Hopefulyy, I can speak to you directly, or through Danrak, every few days.

Bry, this is "the thousand points of light".

I am going to miss you folks while I'm gone; my TSF famly, stretching across the world, is important to me.

I'll post again, for sure, before I fly.

mimo2005

Excellent idea , hopefully assorted with pix .


good luck JG , and stay safe .

Jason

Be safe, have fun, and be good.

Horse

All the very best John from here way down South. Remember our last convo. Hope you still have the contact details.

whodat

excellant opportunity to help your fellow man. be well. you could probably write a book after this experience.

jgvernonco

Well, I spent the day today...

At the ARC Chapter in LaCrosse getting trained in finances and obtaining a debit card. The debit card wasn't activated when I attempted to make my first purchases, so I called the chapter office. I was told that they would follow up immediately (which they did), and call me on my cell when the card was activated (which they did). It did not work when I used it to make purchases at Cabelas, so I wound up putting the purchases on my Am Ex, and we will have to work it out later.

Talked to tweo young ladies who had gone to my destination together, and they emphatically told me that when I check to make sure my ticket is siuued, to also make sure payment for it has been received. On their trip, they arrived at the airport to find that they did, in deed, and reserved seats, but they were not paid for and so the ladies were not allowed to board. Their 0600 flight turned into an 1800 flight. It's good to talk to those who have preceded you.

I am flying into Dallas, then anything could happen. There is even a possibility of my going to central Louisiana (Arcadia?) where a very large shelter is still open and still very large.

With what I already had, and what I purchased today, I think I am ready for the tropics. While a shotgun is recommended to deal with the mosquitos, we have to settle for Deet. Great..I'll come back with two heads or something.

Tomorrow is packing and praying day...ticket confirmation, debit card fixing, etc, etc. My goal is to sit down at 6 pm, ready for the adventure.

Two or three drinks may be the order of the night, or I won't sleep.

I will tell you all whether I made my goal or not, tomorrow.

tetonbob

Good luck, and godspeed, John.

Thanks for keeping us posted. I've heard that mosquitos are Louisiana's state bird.

Be safe. Remember the First Responder's creed: You have to watch your own butt, and that of your team, to help others. Never become one of the victims. This I know from my days holding a USFS red card, and a little avalanche hazard reduction work.

jgvernonco

Howdy,all.

I am safely esconsed in the Adams Mark Hotel in Dallas, and it looks as though this is where I will stay.

The shelters down south are closing quickly, and the big job now is to the money to everyone who has qualified for assistance.icked data entry, as this is the station that checks that all has been done and physically prepares the Fed Ex envelope, including their checks or debit cards.

I was picturing to secretarial work,but the truth is that if we can keep that data entry room fulll 24/7, folks will be getting their money this week. Then we'll see what is needed next.

On a personal note...Hi Jacob and Bec! Talk to you soon

Sealy

Awesome Jg.. so good to hear from you. I v been gone all week and wondering how your RC journey was going. Stay safe and stay in touch