Photo By John Daves | Corps of Engineers Quality Assurance Inspector Steve Hart (left) discusses the private...... read more read more
JOPLIN, Mo. – More than 200 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees are engaged in recovery missions following the strike of a tornado here May 22.
Pomme De Terre Lake Natural Resources Manager Glen Locke recently responded to the Joplin Tornado Recovery Mission. Locke is working in the Recovery Field Office as a Quality Assurance Supervisor.
“Whatever needs to be done – I’m in for,” said Locke. “You never know what the day will bring.”
When working at Pomme De Terre Lake, Locke said the variety of work makes the job enjoyable. Everything, from paper work, patrolling or assisting with maintenance issues, helps to make up a typical day.
Disaster relief missions are things that pop up which help to make his job so interesting. In addition to the Joplin mission, Locke worked in North Carolina on Hurricane Fran in 1996, in Florida on Hurricane Charlie in 2004, in New Orleans on Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and along the Mississippi coast on Hurricane Katrina in 2006. During these missions, Locke worked as a QA inspector for tree removal, temporary roofing, debris removal, vehicle and vessel removal and landfill operations. This is his first time serving as a QA supervisor.
The Corps of Engineers has been tasked by FEMA to provide public works and engineering-related support in response to natural disasters. Here in Joplin, the Corps has specially trained response teams performing debris removal, critical public facility restoration and temporary housing.
“The most challenging part of being a supervisor is matching the different personalities of the Corps employees with the always changing factors of the mission to accomplish the goal,” said Locke.
Locke said the most memorable experience of this mission came while driving back from one of the debris disposal sites. Stopped at a traffic light, Locke heard a small voice say, “Thank you.” Locke looked over and saw two small children in the backseat of a car looking at him. A little boy said, “Thank you, you help people.” Then the boy’s sister chimed in and said, “Thank you for helping us.” Locke thanked them as the light changed and they drove away.
These people inspire Locke to volunteer for emergency response missions.
“Once you have done it a couple of times, it is hard not to answer the call of duty when asked,” said Locke.
Previous deployment opportunities have taught Locke that he also meets some of the best people who work for the Corps of Engineers.
Locke has already extended for two weeks. He hopes to see the Personal Property Debris Removal program up and running by the time he returns home July 9. Then Locke plans to spend time with his wife and two children.
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2011 18:47 |
| Story ID: | 72855 |
| Location: | JOPLIN, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Local Corps of Engineers employee responds to Joplin tornado recovery mission, by John Daves, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
