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Chapter 7

In the Eyes of the People

While researching this book, it quickly became clear that base human response to utter calamity requires explanation. The perspectives and prejudices that people have are often amplified and expanded upon in the course of utter disaster. It is a natural consequence that the base nature of people is amplified in times of stress and survival. Katrina provided a backdrop for a high degree of amplification supporting this observation.

We saw people looting for food…we saw people looting for TV’s…we saw New Orleans’ police officers stopping the looting and trying to preserve order…We saw New Orleans’ police officers participating in the looting, stealing Cadillacs from local dealerships. Each, following the dictates of his or her personal base…amplified in a time of insanity.

We saw the men and women of the New Orleans Fire Department, the St. Bernard Parish Fire Department, the firefighters and police officers of the many small communities along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Alabama. The stories of heroism and scope of personal sacrifice among this group would occupy volumes. We saw the purity and integrity of the brotherhood of firefighters, reflected through the eyes of the men and women of the New York Fire Department, Fire Departments from Urbana, Antioch, California, Durkee, Oregon, Shreveport, Louisiana, the Pacific Northwest Task Group 3, Kentucky, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who came to the aid of St. Bernard Parish firefighters, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; and many more.

We saw them fight the many fires that occurred in the aftermath and literally save their cities from burning to the ground…all done with compromised equipment and assets, with destroyed station houses…and all done with enthusiasm and dedication. They were the unsung heroes of Katrina.

We saw the men and women volunteer firefighters come as part of the thousands deployed through FEMA to add their further support with assignments that for some, extended up to 3 years from the time of the storm.

We saw Urban Search and Rescue (U.S.A.R.) specialists descending into the area from locations all over the United States and the world. We saw our Coast Guard, National Guards from many other states, and US Military of all branches step up to provide resources and personnel to countless communities throughout the Gulf Coast. We saw men and women from different animal rescue organizations come in and under the harshest of conditions, try to rescue and bring pets back to their owners amidst the chaos. We saw individual citizens, corporations, churches, and relief organizations do their best to try to bring a sense of control, normality, and saving grace to this seemingly insurmountable catastrophe. All should be praised and thanked for their selfless efforts and sacrifices.

It would be nearly impossible to capture the breadth and scope of what all these people did in the times during and after Katrina. It is my hope that in some small way I can capture a glimpse of their efforts to share with you. It is my hope that in doing so, you, dear reader, will come away with a more complete understanding of the totality of Katrina and amazing extent to which her wrath has affected the lives of all of us as Americans and world citizens.

Herein lay the stories of some of these people. I extend thoughts of thanks, wonderment, and admiration to all of you. This is for you.