Family Disaster Planning

updated March 6, 2008

HM1 Seth Von Borstel will tell you that no two days are the same when it comes to being a SAR Corpsman. Such was the case on Monday, December 3, 2007. He was dispatched as part of a Search and Rescue team to the Lewis County area due severe flooding.

The weather in the area was windy and rainy not to mention the down drafts that caused flying to be extremely difficult and dangerous. During the nine hours of flying for the day the team rescued over 20 people in three separate situations. Each situation presented its own challenges.

The first rescue of three individuals from a piece of land surrounded by rising waters was made very difficult by strong winds. The second rescue of a UPS driver from the top of his truck had to be done with the helicopter hovering 100 feet over the truck as to not touch the power lines below. The third and final rescue for the crew for the day was working with another helicopter crew to rescue 16 individuals from a flood ravaged area.

On this assignment, as all his other assignments with SAR HM1 Von Borstel chose to change a life. One act at a time.

When Cathy’s son was stationed in Iraq she wanted to find a way to help the troops. After some research on the web Cathy found Anysoldier.com Through this website soldiers list supplies they are lacking while stationed overseas. For Cathy this was a way she could help.

The project started with her buying the supplies and weekly sending them to troop overseas. Cathy first started storing the supplies in her bedroom but it quickly had to be moved to the storage room next to her house.

Cathy may have started this project but the community as a whole is continuing to make a difference in the lives of the men and women serving our country overseas.

Of the organizations that have stepped in to help Cathy with this project have been Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor, Soroptimist International of Coupeville, Coupeville Lions Club, South Whidbey Lions Club, Puget Sound Business, Barrett Escrow and Freeland Liquor Store.

For most of the participants who take an American Red Cross CPR class the skills are never used. The class is a yearly job requirement for Deputy Jim Scott and he knows he may have to use the skills he learned at a moments notice.

Such was the case in October 2007 when Deputy Scott and Deputy Davison responded to a 911 call. When the Deputy’s arrived on the scene they found the caller had taken an undetermined amount of pills and had lapsed into unconsciousness.

Working as a team, the deputy's used the life saving CPR skills that they had been trained in to save a life. As Deputy Davison is quoted as saying “ Had we been a few minutes later this young woman would likely have perished.”

We can all choose to change a life each day with the skills and abilities that we have learned in life.

Corey Johnson understands what it means to volunteer and make a difference in his community. During the 2007 school year Corey was able to supply the construction equipment, advise and personnel to help the Oak Harbor School District complete necessary projects on its property.

The first project Corey worked on was the installation of the sprinkler system at the new baseball field at North Whidbey Middle School. Once the sprinkler system was installed, Corey assisted with installing the backstop and outfield fence for the field.

In addition to the baseball field at North Whidbey Middle School Corey donated his time and talents to work with the community to complete the grounds makeover project at the Oak Harbor High school.

Corey has used his time, talent, and resources to help change the lives of many Oak Harbor residents.

As adults we try to teach our children and those around us how to be prepared in case of emergencies. For young children like Alana, who is 2 years old, images on video can leave a lasting impression.

On the evening of Thursday, September 13, 2007 Alana was at home with her mom and dad. Her mom Erika, had taken some medicine and went to lay down because she could fell the on set of a migraine headache which quickly became quite intense. Shortly after Alana’s mom took the migraine medicine Jesse, Alana dad went to the store.

Wanting to make sure all the doors were locked, Alana’s mom got up to check the doors and fainted. This is where the video images took over. Alana found the phone and called 911. With the simple words “mama owie” was able to bring base security to the house to help her mom. Alana also put a blanket on her mom prior to Petty Officer Cummings arriving and showed him where the phone was so he could call her dad to come home.

As an emergency services operator Hattie handles a variety of calls each day. With each call she has to asses the caller’s needs very quickly.

This was the case on Friday, August 17, 2007. The caller was alone, had a gun and a razor blade, was distraught and had been drinking. Hattie was able to dispatch the emergency responders to the residence and continue the conversation with the caller. Hattie listened to the concerns of the caller and showed compassion for the situation. This proved to be the turning point for the caller. When Hattie was advised that emergency responders were at the scene the caller put down the gun and razor blade and went outside to meet the emergency responders.

This is an extreme situation that in similar situations are played out on a regular basis. But with sensitivity and compassion each life is changed.

Being a member of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue the call can come in at any time for any situation. Such was the case on Monday, December 3, 2007. The news was reporting high winds and flooding in Lewis County. Lewis County Sheriff’s Department was requesting assistance with stranded residents.

AW 1 Lewis’ role in this response operation was to be the repel man. He was the first man down the hoist cable. He was the first person each stranded resident met before getting on the helicopter. For the helicopter crew each trip was a challenge but all the stranded residents knew they were going to be okay.

The day’s operation was challenging but for each stranded resident, seeing a helicopter come to their rescue changed their lives.