Hurricane Irma - Shorts, shoes, soup, and Shhh - Shelter! Love, Serve, Care

By Kathy Burns

Nassau County School Superintendent

September 21, 2017 10:30 a.m.

The Week of September 4th began with conversation around the coffee pot about Hurricane Irma. Casual conversations soon turned into to disaster preparedness plans and actions. The District Team quickly jumped into action, making plans for staffing shelters.

Callahan Middle School Shelter Team: Pet Shelter Administrators: Kim Harrison/John Crawford  Custodian: Patty Walker Health Aide – Rhonda Johnson Maintenance: Jimmy Hall/Manos Farmer Food Service: Tina Owens/Christine Waters[/caption]

Some folks were standing in line waiting for the doors to open. Shelter occupants were quickly checked in and provided a space of their own, their home away from home for the next few days. Not only were we checking in evacuees, we also provided boarding for pets - Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! Just kidding, BUT an array of dogs, cats, birds, and even a pig made it through the storm at Callahan Middle School.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the hub for all activities in an EMERGENCY! School District personnel were on site at the EOC around the clock. They coordinated transportation, sheltering, weather updates, addressed specific shelter needs, and participated as vital team members.

Our schools sheltered over 500 people of all ages and abilities. These folks were given a safe place to weather the storm, three meals and snacks daily, movies, games, news and weather updates, as well as the support and encouragement of School District Personnel who worked tirelessly (often 20+ hours without a break) to meet the needs of evacuees. Community members were often seen dropping off fresh baked cookies, snacks, and toiletry items. Families with needs upon leaving the shelter were also provided for, thanks to the extra mile service of our team members.

A hurricane shelter should be viewed as a life boat, not a cruise ship. However, I believe the evacuees in our shelters would disagree. The services provided were first class.

The next time you hear the words “evacuate” – DO IT! And remember, our shelters are staffed with top notch School District personnel – whose day job is to educate your children, but just like true educators – when called upon, they can do whatever it takes.

Hats off to our TEAM! The best of the best!

Not pictured:

Yulee Middle School

Administrator: Amanda Cooper

Custodian: Heather Hilbrandt

Maintenance: Brad Akers/Josh Long

Food Service: Sherry Bell

Callahan Middle School – Pet Shelter

Administrators: Kim Harrison/John Crawford

Custodian: Patty Walker

Health Aide – Rhonda Johnson

Maintenance: Jimmy Hall/Manos Farmer

Food Service: Tina Owens/Christine Waters

Yulee Middle School

Administrator: Amanda Cooper

Custodian: Heather Hilbrandt

Maintenance: Brad Akers/Josh Long

Food Service: Sherry Bell

Hilliard Middle Senior High School

Administrators: Tammy Johnson/Monica Cason

Custodian: Mary Yake

Health Aide: Do not need. Health Department will be there

Maintenance: Sonny Waters/Timmy Temples

Food Service: Sherryl Sims/Patty Cribbs

Bryceville Elementary

Administrator: Amber Nicholas/Ray Poole

Custodian: Sharon Gainey

Maintenance: Corey Bishop

Food Service: Jeannie Hess

Hilliard Elementary

Administrators: LeeAnn Jackson/Kristi Simpkins

Custodian: Becki Dyal

Health Aide: Sandy McCullough

Maintenance: Jim Fertgus

Food Service: Michele Ivey/Debbie Wade

Callahan Intermediate

Administrators: Rhonda Devereaux/Cindy Grooms

Custodian: Kathy Burch

Health Aide: Tiffany Lacombe

Maintenance: Taylor Rowe

Food Service: Julie Wiesinski/Kay Thompson

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office also provided an officer on-site at every shelter around the clock.

Friday evening at 6pm the following 5 shelters opened on the Westside of the county.

Callahan Intermediate School

Callahan Middle School

Bryceville Elementary School

Hilliard Elementary School

Hilliard Middle-Senior High School

Some folks were standing in line waiting for the doors to open. Shelter occupants were quickly checked in and provided a space of their own, their home away from home for the next few days. Not only were we checking in evacuees, we also provided boarding for pets - Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! Just kidding, BUT an array of dogs, cats, birds, and even a pig made it through the storm at Callahan Middle School.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the hub for all activities in an EMERGENCY! School District personnel were on site at the EOC around the clock. They coordinated transportation, sheltering, weather updates, addressed specific shelter needs, and participated as vital team members.

Our schools sheltered over 500 people of all ages and abilities. These folks were given a safe place to weather the storm, three meals and snacks daily, movies, games, news and weather updates, as well as the support and encouragement of School District Personnel who worked tirelessly (often 20+ hours without a break) to meet the needs of evacuees. Community members were often seen dropping off fresh baked cookies, snacks, and toiletry items. Families with needs upon leaving the shelter were also provided for, thanks to the extra mile service of our team members.

A hurricane shelter should be viewed as a life boat, not a cruise ship. However, I believe the evacuees in our shelters would disagree. The services provided were first class.

The next time you hear the words “evacuate” – DO IT! And remember, our shelters are staffed with top notch School District personnel – whose day job is to educate your children, but just like true educators – when called upon, they can do whatever it takes.

Hats off to our TEAM! The best of the best!