SAMPLE TEAM SCHEDULE: The schedule may change daily but a plan is important.

 Typical day on a mission

6:00am —Time to get up and dress

6:30am —Breakfast, devotion (10 minutes) and work assignment

7:30am —Load vehicles with tools, water jugs, snacks, first aid kits-leave for work sites

10-10:20am —Break time

12:00 noon —Break for lunch, mend skinned fingers and hurt feelings, discuss progress of work

1:00pm —Back to work. If hot climate, consider quitting early.

3:00pm —Break Time. Return to housing site.

4:00-6:00 pm —Showers and relaxation

6:00pm —Supper

7:00pm —Clean-up

7:30pm — team devotions, sharing time, plan for the next day

8:30 pm —Games, relaxation, personal time (Relax, music, movie, letter-writing)

10:30pm —Lights out

 

PERSONAL PACKING LIST:  

Make sure tetanus shot is up to date.

It is recommended you have a Hepatitis A shot (visit with your doctor)  

Old work clothing (long pants)

Heavy work shoes/boots, 2^nd pair of shoes, shower shoes

Heavy duty leather gloves, (may also add cotton and plastic work gloves)

Face masks (Check for need of charcoal masks if mold is present)

Safety goggles (may be a team item)

Personal hygiene items including toilet paper

Towels/washcloths

Sleeping bag/air mattress or pad/pillow

Water bottle/jug/cooler

Changes of clothing for after work

First aid supplies (band-aids, disinfectant)

Medical releases

“Use of Equipment” release form

Name badges with picture ID, UM logo

Bible, notebook, pencil

Insect repellent

Keep a journal

 

 

 

 

Equipment to consider:  Label tools for security

 

Hand tools—Shovels, Hammers, pliers, screw drivers, putty knives, levels, squares, basin wrench

Wheel barrows

Extension cords

Crow bars – Wonder bar

Measuring tapes

Paint brushes, scrapers and rollers

Trash bags/cotton rags

Circular Saw

Ladders (6’ step & 16’20’ extension)

Skilled adult: pneumatic nailer, owner operated

Pipe wrenches (18” & 24”)

Other tools as needed to comply with work assignments

DEBRIS REMOVAL

 

This is a sample of information released at the time of disaster regarding debris removal. Remember that after a disaster, conditions and rules are constantly changing. Always stay informed and check with local authorities.

 

JACKSON , Miss. -- The cleanup and disposal of mountains of debris – 11 million cubic yards to date – continues to be a high priority for disaster recovery officials. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) are orchestrating and monitoring debris operations while ensuring that guidelines are followed for the debris removed from private property.

 

"Removal of debris following hurricanes is a massive task," said Nick Russo, FEMA ' s federal coordinating officer in Mississippi . "It is FEMA ' s job to see that governments and private contractors have the information required for private property approval to perform this gigantic task."

 

FEMA ' s Public Assistance program provides funding to state and local governments for disaster-related emergency work, debris removal and repairs to, or replacement of, damaged infrastructure.

Normally, FEMA reimburses costs of removal only for debris that is on public property or that is placed on public rights-of-way by residents clearing their private property. However, in the case of Katrina-related debris, FEMA has relaxed that policy, at the state ' s request, to allow for debris removal from private property in six southern Mississippi counties -- George, Hancock Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone.

 

"We requested that residential debris be included for pickup and disposal when that property is identified as a health and safety hazard," said MEMA Director Robert Latham. "We ' re continually looking at ways to improve the health, safety and well-being of our communities and anticipate that more counties or municipalities will be made eligible for private property debris removal."

 

To date, FEMA ' s Public Assistance program has received requests for private property debris removal from the counties of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone; and the cities of Bay St. Louis, Biloxi , D ' Iberville, Gautier, Gulfport, Long Beach, Moss Point, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Waveland, and Wiggins.

 

For private property owners, caution is key when removing hurricane debris

• Debris removal and disaster recovery go hand in hand. Federal and state recovery officials encourage residents to be cautious when removing storm debris from homes and roadways. The rubbish may contain any number of dangerous items.
• Property owners will want to check with their local jurisdictions regarding debris removal schedules. Here are some safety guidelines to follow:
• Keep children away from debris piles. They can be full of broken materials, glass, nails, jagged wood, and other sharp items. Children can easily get injured playing in, around, or on trash heaps. The debris may also contain rodents or bugs, raising the possibility of bites.
• Watch children carefully when heavy equipment is in the area and debris removal operations are taking place. Small children may not be easily seen by equipment operators.
• Keep all open flames and lit cigarettes away from debris piles as they may contain flammable materials.
• Move your car from the debris pile area. This will make it easier for the equipment operator to pick up the materials and will reduce the possibility of damage to vehicle.
• Drive carefully when behind debris-loaded trucks. Materials can easily shift and fly out, causing an accident or driving hazard. Leave a safe distance between your car and the truck.

 

TEAM NOTES ON DEBRIS REMOVAL

Trash:

·         Separate out anything with a cord…appliances, microwaves, etc.

·         Keep Hazardous materials separate…aerosol cans, paint, bleach, etc.

·         Try to keep debris away from storm sewers…they’ve had enough trouble with those this year.

SAFETY ISSUES TO CONSIDER

 

Many injuries result from inexperience or carelessness at a work site. It is important to develop good safety habits. Please pay attention to these safety instructions and commit them to memory. Here’s a checklist you can use every time you get ready to work. Keep this checklist  of simple safety precautions as a reference and refer to it before starting any job. ALWAYS YIELD TO AMBULANCE, POLICE OR FIRE DEPT., AS WELL AS SECURITY, UTILITY CREWS AND FEMA TRUCKS AND CREWS. They will work with you if you work with them. Before you go, consider getting hands-on training with state agencies or Americorps.

 

THIS CHECK LIST IS NOT COMPLETE. YOUR TEAM LEADER MAY WANT TO ADD MORE TO IT.

 

Hands-On Training: AmeriCorps is resource

• Roof Tarping; Roof Patching
• Safety Procedures
• Muck Outs

 

Safety Measures

·         First Aid/CPR Training for Team Medic

§         Team medic have medical forms onsite

§         List team members’ food and other allergies

·         Does team need to provide own security?

·         Do not go out alone. Remember that dogs and people will be protective.

§         No baggy clothing

§         Wear long pants

§         Wear gloves

§         No open-toed or high heeled shoes

§         Bring plenty of socks

§         Leave jewelry at home

§         Have transportation at each worksite. Do not leave some volunteers stranded.

§         Each vehicle needs good map.

§         Use 2-way radios/quicker & saves steps

 

Gear

·         Protective clothing

·         Positive seal breathing apparatus if needed for dust, mold (P.100)

·         Safety Glasses/goggles fog up 

·         Hard Hats            ,  Gloves

·         Steel Toe, steel shank water proofed/rubber boots

·         Ear Plugs

 

Behavior

·         Pace yourself, be well rested and alert

·         Think and plan well for each job

·         Need helpers?

·         Consider special precautions for working in a hazardous area.

·         Have knowledge/training on how to use machines/tools.

·         Drink water regularly at the worksite.

·         Honor Curfews-don’t cause more problems

Shots

·         Consult with project coordinator from the affected site for appropriate immunizations

·         Carry current immunization records

·         Consider Tetanus (Hepatitis A, B)

 

Equipment—Some require skilled adult use only. Know how to safely use:

·         Trailer hook-up and lights/daily

·         Generator (always in a ventilated area)

·         Power Tools/Hand Tools/Circular saws

·         Ladders-20’ ext., 6-8’ step ladder/20’ extension

·         Shut off power, even when power is down.

·         When removing debris with a vehicle avoid running over a sewer clean-out or water shut off valve in the client’s yard. When digging or removing trees, be aware that utility lines (gas, water, electric, phone, cable, etc) may be in the area or even entangled in the roots.  Report any breakage or abnormalities to the project coordinator in the affected area.

 

Hazards to expect in:

     Flooded Homes

• Creatures under homes, in flooring
• Contaminated water/mud
• Rotten spots/soft spots
• Broken glass, debris

 

Buildings with Roof Damage (Hurricanes, tornados, wind)

• Stepping through weakened roof
• Falling off roof
• Splinters/nails
• Asbestos in the building materials
• Pine needles/wet leaves make surface slippery

 

    Wind damage

• Trees down
• Power lines down
• Lots of debris, splintered wood
• Blocked streets
• Litter in general