NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE'S ENFORCEMENT TRAVELS TO GULF
TO ASSIST WITH POST HURRICANE ACTIVITIES
By Jennifer Rota & Mark Oswell, Office for Law Enforcement

November 15, 2005 — On Aug. 29, 2005 millions of Americans watched in horror as a mammoth hurricane — with 160 miles per hour winds and 34-foot waves — unleashed its fury on the gulf states of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. While many Americans were able to evacuate the area, thousands were stranded hoping to survive what has become one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history.

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is one Americans will be coping with for many months to come. New Orleans, the city hit hardest by the hurricane, was left with 80 percent of its city underwater. Even more devastating has been the loss of life and damages estimated in the billions of dollars.

Special Agents Allen Coker and Gregg Houghaboom, NOAA Fisheries Service Office for Law Enforcement — Southeast Division, were the first OLE agents sent into the area on Sept. 3. Initially assigned to the NOAA National Weather Service station in Slidell, La., they were tasked with facilitating security for the employees and their families at the site.

By Sept. 8, the OLE had seven agents deployed to the region in support of this humanitarian mission. Their deployment included participation in support work at the NWS site, as well as New Orleans, La. Hattiesburg, Miss. and Biloxi, Miss. They were sent into the areas that were hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina, and drove in from as far away as Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and neighboring Florida to assist.

The group involved agents with a combined experience level of 90 years in law enforcement; experience which they applied to tackle the various tasks associated with the operations they encountered, including protective duties, first aid, search & rescue and humanitarian relief.
Deployed for an indefinite time and into uncertain circumstances, the agents took with them a limited number of practical items and necessary supplies. Meals-Ready-to-Eat were provided by the National Guard. Besides personal protective gear and hygiene gear, they brought a GPS computer unit, 500 gallons of fuel, water, cell phones, a generator, extra gasoline, flashlights, extra batteries and camping supplies. According to Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Louis Jachimczyk of the Northeast Division, “One of the most important items was our GPS unit and mapping software for our lap top.” “This facilitated navigation on roadways that had lost signage.”

Special Agent-in-Charge Andy Cohen, OLE — Northeast Division, was pleased with the voluntary response by the agents from his Division in support of their counterparts in the Southeast and that of other NOAA and Commerce Department personnel.

Special Agent-in-Charge Hal Robbins, OLE — Southeast Division, commended the work of the agents as they pulled together to provide support to those in the area, “These agents were responsive to the needs of those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. They provided security to NOAA facilities and assisted in the search for Department of Commerce employees who were unaccounted for.”

On the ground, the agents broke up into three teams to cover the affected areas. Working for five straight days and averaging over 14 hours per day, these agents provided first aid, distributed water and escorted National Weather Service technicians to critical weather infrastructure locations.

Deputy Special Agent-in-Charge Tracy Dunn of the OLE Southeast Division said that the willingness of the men to respond was exemplary. “We had all of our equipment checked, lubed, and ready to go on the first day after the hurricane hit,” stated Dunn. “They were absolutely determined to make things better for the unfortunate people who were stuck trying to survive.”

The men instantly became a strong support system for many people and animals that had been stranded in New Orleans and its surrounding areas. “While doing that [searching for missing government employees] we took the opportunity to help people in rural areas with deliveries of baby formula, water and MRE’s,” said Coker. “We also purchased dog food to feed as many starving dogs as possible; they seemed to be every where.”

In addition to assisting people on the ground, the OLE loaned one of its patrol vessels to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, a state wildlife enforcement partner, to utilize in their support of emergency operations in Mississippi.

While these men are professionals in the field of law enforcement, their eyes were opened by the horrific conditions that people in New Orleans had been experiencing for days. “I saw entire communities washed away and people hungry and without a place to live or fuel for their vehicles,” stated Special Agent Patrick Flynn, Northeast Division.

“We provided much needed first aid medical care for persons afflicted with diabetes, infections, puncture wounds and scrapes,” continued Coker. “We saw families searching for anything left of their memories.”

Currently, the agents are back at their home field offices while the NOAA Fisheries Service is continuing to work with the local fishing industry, the affected states, and other partners involved and assisting the thousands who have been affected by this tragedy.

Despite all the chaos associated with hurricane relief operations, Special Agents-in-Charge Robbins and Cohen are hopeful that fisheries law enforcement will not be impacted by the emergency. As with the aftermath of the terror attacks of Sept 11th, the OLE was prepared and ready to provide whatever support was necessary.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Fisheries Service

NOAA Fisheries Service Office for Law Enforcement

Media Contact:
Connie Barclay, NOAA Fisheries, (301) 713-2370 x 144 or Susan Buchanan, NOAA Fisheries, (301) 713-2370 x 105