Although natural disasters like Hurricane
Katrina bring their own unique mix of dangers, rescue and recovery
workers can still be in harm’s way even after the wind and rain have
stopped.
"Approximately 80 incidents in this area
involving threats to contractors and damage to equipment have
occurred during the performance of work in Orleans Parish," said
David Justison, a Louisiana Recovery Field Office security officer.
Sensitive to these potential threats, RFO
leaders have engaged the services of a number of New Orleans city
police officers to provide protection and security exclusively for
contractors and government employees performing debris and
demolition work in Orleans Parish. Their services have been
contracted through New Orleans city government.
RFO Security Officer Billy Lee is a rehired
annuitant from the Wilmington District with more than 30 years of
service. He is also a veteran of at least 15 natural disaster
response efforts.
Lee said the NOPD officers, working on their
off-duty time, are patrolling work areas in twelve-hours shifts,
seven days a week. They work in their police uniforms, carry weapons
and are fully empowered to make arrests and enforce city ordinances
and laws.
Justison and Lee developed security
information cards for deployees when they check-in for work at the
RFO. A quick review of the information on the cards is useful for
anyone in the recovery area:
While working in the field, do not engage
in any verbal discussions which could escalate into an argument.
Do not "police" the situation (e.g., do
not follow a vehicle to obtain a tag number).
Be aware of your surroundings. Leave if
you feel threatened.
Have an emergency contact phone list in
your cell phone address book.
Remember operational security. Do not
discuss job specific details with the general public.
If an individual is in imminent danger of
being harmed (e.g. beaten, shot, cut, clubbed, etc.), leave the
area an call the appropriate emergency numbers.
