Arboretum Director Tom Kroll called to serve

Friends,

I had access to a computer for a few minutes this morning and thought I would give you an update on my work here.   I am working in San Antonio with an Incident Command Team requested by the city to help relieve the local city and volunteer organizations in providing relief to evacuees.   Our first mission from the City is to "Provide for the care and comfort of the evacuees in a manner that respects their dignity."  (These Incident teams are mostly foresters and are usually used to fight large wildfires.  Basically we provide the management system in coordination with the local authorities and volunteer groups.)    My job is an information officer.   For example, Thursday was a busy day and we had 37 separate local and national media tour the shelter I am assigned to, Kelly 1536.  They cannot enter the shelter without an escort.  (We had 4 info officers including a Red Cross professional and several Red Cross volunteers to help.)

San Antonio Fire Department and Red Cross etal set up shelters in 4 abandoned buildings in a very quick time.   12,000 evacuees were in the shelters starting September 1.   The initial team was requested September 4.  I was requested on Labor Day.  We now have  about 5,000 remaining in the shelters including 980 in the building I am assigned to.  It is an 1/4 mile long warehouse in the decommissioned Kelly Air force base.   The evacuees sleep on cots in large room that sleep 500.  It is all very clean, neat, and orderly considering the situation. 

The evacuees have access to free local and long distance phones.  The Post Office established separate zip code for our building and provides them with new addresses.  We support Red Cross in managing the shelter.  There is a strong police presence.  The Mexican Army arrived with a field kitchen and is helping the volunteer Baptist Men's Association in providing 15,000 meals per day.   There is a 24 hour medical facility and a special needs area for the elderly or infirm.  There is a gym for the kids and a Karaoke area.  There have been 7 weddings in the building between evacuees since I have been there.  They are conducted by the Army Chaplain stationed inside.   Volunteer groups provide a wide range of activities from church to carnivals. 

A wide range of social service agencies and organization also have tables set up to help people find permanent housing, jobs, family.

The place is not depressing, in fact most evacuees I have talked to are grateful.  One fellow leaving yesterday told me "We liked it here."  But sleeping 500 to a room cannot be comfortable.  I have heard some amazing stories and I am moved by the evacuees graciousness and resilience.