Monday, August 30, 2010
Louisiana: Hurricane Katrina Anniversary–Why Security Contractors Were Called Upon
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Disaster Response: Update on Hurricane Ike, By Doug
Update on Hurricane Ike and the Texas disaster response.
By Doug
Many of my friends & their familes are involved in rebuilding houstons infrastructure.
Things are still bad in places. lots of folks still crapping in buckets & sitting around candles at night.
Things are improving rapidly. everyone is very optimistic 60% of houston will be electrified by thursday night.
Power crews working night and day.
The water has just been announced that it is clean to drink from the tap.
Gas is a problem though. most gas lines are still long, but it is a lot better than yesterday.
So its good to hear that even though it is still bad. things are improving rapidly.
Give it 2-3 more weeks and most things will be back to almost normal.
Though it will take months to clean up all the debris
Saturday, September 13, 2008
News: Exclusive-Report on Ike, By Doug
I will shut up, and let this report speak for itself. I have not heard of any casualty reports yet. As for the refineries and the price of gas, I am not too sure. I know the fear of these refineries being damaged, totally jacked up the price of fuel across the country. Yesterday, I filled up at Coscto, just to get some fuel before the prices possible go nuts. The current price we are paying for unleaded is $ 3.69 a gallon, as of yesterday. –Head Jundi
———————————–
Sept. 13, 2008
Doug
There may be job opportunities down here after all.
Ok ive talked with many of my buddies in houston who have been networking with family & friends.
So far this is what we have.
Downtown houston & the Medical center have power.
Power is out from the outside of the downtown area to at least 40miles North West & South
the claim of 4million without power is entirely believable. Will know more later.
Now we dont know regions. All i know is at about a total of 10-12 homes in these areas the neighborhoods are without power. Most live in surburbia.
So is it just a neighborhood or literally a blackout in 40mile radius from downtown is unknown.
Flooding is minimal. only places that flooded are places that always flood.
wind damage – i wont say extreme yet but i will say there i A LOT of it.
Due to massive damage & electrical crews out which were sent to New Orleans for gustoff it will be weeks, before everyone has ppower.
Good news..storm surge maxed at 10-12 feet.
Tonight tomorrow high will be 90+ degrees with 100% humidity..really sux for folks down here, BUT there is a cold front coming through sunday night. So it will help a lot of the misery.
Houston is right on the coast. There is a concern about mosquito bourne disease spreading. This area is heavily sprayed with insecticide from trucks. All that stuff has now beeen washed & blown away. Without power folks will have doors & windows open day & night. which mean bug bites.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Jobs: Armed Security Officer- Emergency Relief Services, Gulf States
Wackenhut was actually a pretty good company to be with during Katrina. As far as Gustav is concerned, it is now a Category 2 storm. I think this storm won’t be as bad as it could have been, and we’ll see how it turns out. Lots of companies gearing up and assembling teams right now, but I really couldn’t say what the possible length of work would be until this thing is done with. If the levees break from all the over topping, that could be an issue. The big one to look at is the big company infrastructure. Think energy and financial institutions, as possible contracts for these companies.
But really, all sorts of scenarios could play out that would require guards. As for looters and thugs, I think this time around we just won’t see the amount that happened during Katrina. Nagin announced that all looters will be put into Angola Prison for detention. LOL And I don’t think the local law enforcement will cut and run or be as overwhelmed this time around, and especially if there is no one left in town. What made Katrina bad, was the human element, and this time around it sounds like they have cleared out the critical areas. Of course there will always be the enterprising thugs that have remained behind to take advantage.
The one area to be more wary of is the evacuation centers outside of the hurricane zones that are putting up thousands of displaced people. So parts of Texas and other Gulf States that have these concentrations of evacuees could be an issue for the local guards and law enforcement there. And that was the same deal during Katrina. Although this time around, I am sure the security plans for these areas are top notch because Katrina is still pretty fresh in everyone’s mind. That, and people know what to expect out of the process. – Head Jundi
—————————————————————–
Armed Security Officer – Emergency Relief Services
Wackenhut Services Inc
Job Description
Wackenhut Services, Inc., a premier provider of protective service forces to the US Government, has immediate openings for Armed Security Officers to work to support emergency relief efforts in the regions of Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Compensation for all officers will be in accordance with the applicable wage determination for the area the Officer is assigned plus the applicable Health and Welfare allowance.
EOE M/F/D/V
Requirements:
Minimum qualifications include:
-Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
-US citizen
-High School diploma or GED equivalent
-A minimum of 3 years current or prior security or military experience
-Proficient with use of firearm/handgun
-Able to be firearm certified
-Must have valid state/city/county firearms permit
-Meet all state certifications
-Must be CPR and First Aid certified
-Proficient in English (written and spoken)
Please email resume to: hr@wsihq.com
or fax to: (561) 472-3695 or mail to:
Wackenhut Services, Inc.
Attention: HR Armed Security Officer Position
7121 Fairway Drive, Suite 301
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
A benefit package may or may not be available. Request specific information from the employer.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Disaster Response: The Blogs of Weather and Some Deployment Tips
As this develops, it is important to track the path of this thing. You can follow the NOAA or you can do that, and read what the weather nerds/bloggers have to say. Getting the basic information is one thing, but getting the correct analysis of this information is a little tougher. It is a prediction game and to have a consensus amongst the experts is far better that just paying attention to one source. That’s of course if you have the time. So here are a few of the blogs out there that cover weather events like this.
One interesting thing about all of this is the oil threat. If these hurricanes screw with oil and gas production, and Russia cuts off the oil and gas in their neck of the woods because of events in Georgia, we could see a huge uptick in Gas prices. I have been hearing 5 dollars plus here in the US, just with the hurricane stuff. I am sure in Europe it will be even higher.
Also, if any of you guys are deploying as a security specialist for this hurricane, feel free to contact me about any questions for this kind of work. I worked for FEMA back in 2004 for that hurricane season and I also worked as a security specialist in 2005 during hurricane Katrina. One bit of advice is to wash your hands before eating anything and stay out of the water as much as possible. Bring several pairs of waders, because chemicals in the water could easily destroy your waders. Bring filtration stuff and do not trust the tap water–drink bottled water only! Cabelas sell waders for about sixty dollars. And please be cool with the local residents. The last thing we need are guys doing stupid things in NOLA and giving security contractors a bad name. When I was there, it was one of my main priorities to connect with the locals and let them know why we were there and what we were all about.