FEMA A DISASTER

By General Michael (Mick) Webster

 It has been a long three plus difficult months, but members of United States Civil Defense Assoc. (USCDA) are back to their home after helping out in Southeast Texas, Florida and  Puerto Rico.

Many members arrived at their respective International Airports still in uniform to hugs they've been without; under the prevailing conditions they were only able to text and Skype sporadically with family while they were in deployment status.

Hurricane Maria is regarded as the worst natural disaster to hit Puerto Rico. It roared onto the American Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm, killing more than 60 people, and devastated the Islands and causing an intense humanitarian crisis.

The USCDA responds to natural disasters when needed and maintains a low profile.

For 24-year-old SGT: John Vance repairing homes and hauling away debris was a real challenge, but not tougher than dealing with attitudes on the island when folks thought they were with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"The reaction we got from people was mixed," Vance said. "We had to separate ourselves from being part of FEMA because they have a bad reputation and 9deservedly0 so over there right now because of the inapt and late response." Many people are still furious with FEMA. They blame FEMA and rightfully so for lack of water, food, electric services and other life sustaining supplies for the Islands.

 After 3months the Islands still look like a war zone.

USCDA volunteers were out daily helping the people by passing FEMA and other Government agencies.

For the whole time we were deployed none of our members ever saw a FEMA official, except in the lobbies of the San Yuan Hotel or in the Bar.

"I think it's amazing. I'm really super proud of USCDA volunteer members and I personally think it's an amazing experience that not a lot of young people get to have. And I'm really proud that we wanted to be there and do what we could to help the people directly. PFC: Sherry North said USCDA volunteers do these things for free with no costs to the disaster victims. Many USCDA volunteers want to join, so they can give back to the community and feel that is really important. Many younger members pointed out that they grew up wanting to do just that.

With their work in Puerto Rico behind them, the members of the USCDA will be waiting for the next disaster that they can help with. They will now go back to their local county chapters and train some more to be better ready for the next disaster.