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.
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!
Thank you for all the wonderful work of the shelter volunteers. My wheelchair-bound 100 year old mother-in-law was very well taken care of in Callahan last year and Hilliard this year. It is so reassuring to know this kind of help exists.
Thank you again.