Y'know, I've said it before. And I will undoubtedly say it again. I REALLY suck at updating this thing.
I mean, it's been a fucking year and a half since my last entry. That's bad.
But, anyway.
So, the past week has really been interesting. For background, let me point out that I spent the 2004 hurricane season in central Florida, and had to "evacuate" three times. Went from one ("manufactured") house to another (cinder block construction) for a couple of days. And that when I accepted the promotion and took my current job in New Orleans, the people I lived with back then asked if I was being completely rational. I know, right?
But this has been the first time that the actions I took were mandated ahead of time. That is, while the rest of the city (and most of this half of the state) were under a mandatory evacuation order for Gustav, I was required to come to work and stay there for the duration. Which turned out to be 4-1/2 days. You see, I am now considered Essential Staff at a hospital that is certified by Homeland Security as a "shelter-in-place" location. Not so bad, actually.
Though we lost regular power early Monday morning, our emergency power generators kicked in immediately. Had no lights in the office, and so couldn't really be expected to do much in the way of normal work. But it wasn't bad hanging out with the other staff and trying to look useful. And when the odd emergency loomed, it only made me look better with the rapid response. All in all, came out smelling like roses. Pretty good for my first hurricane here.
Over all, I couldn't really have been in a better place. Now let's see what happens next week with Ike.
Incidentally, there were several news reports giving glowing opinions about our readiness.
AFP story Sept.1
ABC News Sept.1
USA Today Aug.29
CBS News Sept.1
And of course, Susan Roesgen was here all day reporting for CNN
I just missed getting in a couple of those shots.
Makes me feel really good seeing those clips and knowing that I have a fairly big part in keeping these most critical of patients alive. It doesn't usually strike home so much, but these are the kids who couldn't really afford to leave, and they rely the most on the technology that I and my guys keep running.
If anyone asks me, that's what it's all about.
I mean, it's been a fucking year and a half since my last entry. That's bad.
But, anyway.
So, the past week has really been interesting. For background, let me point out that I spent the 2004 hurricane season in central Florida, and had to "evacuate" three times. Went from one ("manufactured") house to another (cinder block construction) for a couple of days. And that when I accepted the promotion and took my current job in New Orleans, the people I lived with back then asked if I was being completely rational. I know, right?
But this has been the first time that the actions I took were mandated ahead of time. That is, while the rest of the city (and most of this half of the state) were under a mandatory evacuation order for Gustav, I was required to come to work and stay there for the duration. Which turned out to be 4-1/2 days. You see, I am now considered Essential Staff at a hospital that is certified by Homeland Security as a "shelter-in-place" location. Not so bad, actually.
Though we lost regular power early Monday morning, our emergency power generators kicked in immediately. Had no lights in the office, and so couldn't really be expected to do much in the way of normal work. But it wasn't bad hanging out with the other staff and trying to look useful. And when the odd emergency loomed, it only made me look better with the rapid response. All in all, came out smelling like roses. Pretty good for my first hurricane here.
Over all, I couldn't really have been in a better place. Now let's see what happens next week with Ike.
Incidentally, there were several news reports giving glowing opinions about our readiness.
AFP story Sept.1
ABC News Sept.1
USA Today Aug.29
CBS News Sept.1
And of course, Susan Roesgen was here all day reporting for CNN
I just missed getting in a couple of those shots.
Makes me feel really good seeing those clips and knowing that I have a fairly big part in keeping these most critical of patients alive. It doesn't usually strike home so much, but these are the kids who couldn't really afford to leave, and they rely the most on the technology that I and my guys keep running.
If anyone asks me, that's what it's all about.
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And, thank you