By Ed Castro
Redlands Daily Facts
REDLANDS, Calif. — Late Thursday, Fire Chief Jeff Frazier was preparing for another night shift in Denton, Texas, where he has been assisting local, state and federal authorities against Tropical Storm Isaac.
Frazier was stationed at the Region 6 Regional Response Coordination Center and is serving on the White Incident Support Team - one of three units of California’s Urban Search and Rescue program.
Isaac, while downgraded to a tropical depression, still managed to lash the Gulf Coast with torrential rains and hurricane-type winds. Flooding was widespread from New Orleans through Mississippi and Alabama.
“I think if there is a positive about all this it is that the nation has been much more aggressive at preparing for and preparing the public and responding quicker,” Frazier said. “When these events do come to pass, we are able to much more quickly and efficiently provide the support to one another.”
Frazier, a first responder during the 9/11 attacks, said the efforts have been well coordinated.
“To me, one of the silver linings to a dark cloud like this is how we as Americans have responded,” Frazier said. “We don’t sit back and become victims. We lean into those issues and do our best to help those who need it.”
Frazier said the Response Coordination Center is coordinating efforts with local parishes and other similar agencies.
“We just want them to know our resources are here if they become overwhelmed,” Frazier said.
Frazier said he is working alongside fire officials from New York and Florida as well as representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
“All responders are more worried about doing our job correctly and how to interact,” Frazier said. “We are more focused on being part of the solution.”
The sharing of information and communication has improved from previous disaster relief efforts, Frazier said.
“I can tell you that FEMA has grown in leaps and bounds in terms of the ability to share information to make sure everyone has a shared situational understanding of what is going on. That is a very positive thing.”
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