CSUB nursing team joins hurricane relief effort

By Jaclyn Loveless

It was Oct. 27 when Marcia Tyler-Evans received her call. By Oct. 30 the CSUB nursing professor was taking the redeye from Bakersfield to Miami.

Katrina Stephens and Michelle Lawrence, both senior nursing students, were ready to go to different destinations within 48 hours or less.

The three, along with other nursing students and faculty members, volunteered their time to help with the Red Cross' hurricane relief efforts during the fall quarter and winter break.

"There wasn't a lot of planning time," Tyler-Evans said. "I was instructed to bring general items like a sleeping bag, clothes for five days ... We were uncertain what kind of conditions we would walk into."

The nursing department's plans had changed. Initially, the department was working with the Red Cross so that a group would go and help with the relief effort. Six nursing faculty, along with 52 junior and senior nursing students participated in disaster preparedness and nursing preparation for shelter operation in late September. "We were exploring ways we could contribute," said Marie Farrell, former CSUB nursing department chair and professor. "Faculty were going to be there with students and we were going to have active learning." But due to transportation issues and need the CSUB nursing volunteers found themselves waiting.

Many students and faculty were called throughout the fall quarter and now had to make individual arrangements if they chose to go on their own.

When Tyler-Evans arrived in Miami she received her field assignment and was sent to the Florida Keys where Hurricane Wilma had hit. "The devastation was quite remarkable," she said. "The plant life was completely devastated because of the .html surge. An 8-foot wall of salt water had washed right over it." Tyler-Evans commented on many of the images that were seen on national television. "There were boats in the middle of the road, cars were left abandoned on the side of the roads and houses were floating in the bay," she said.

And despite the widespread devastation residents maintained a tremendous work ethic and strived to get back to life as usual. "Whether they were homeless or not they still went to work … and schools seemed to be down only a week. Classrooms were set up with dividers in the gym."

During her two-week stay she did a number of things including assisting at a service center and running shelters. Tyler-Evans' peers later elected her as the nursing representative from the Red Cross to participate in developing building criteria for assessing housing inhabitability. The nurse teamed up with other representatives to develop criteria for potential housing health risks due to water damage and mold.

Lawrence, 26, was sent to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. As a licensed emergency medical technician (EMT), the CSUB student was able to serve as a nurse in a large shelter. She helped children that had trouble sleeping and new moms. "For many of these families, it was their fourth or fifth move," she said. "We provided a lot of emotional support."

Since grade school Stephens had known she had wanted to be a nurse. But the events of Sept. 11 prompted her to make a commitment. "I decided then that in the event of similar circumstances I would use my knowledge and skills to help," she said.

Stephens spent about 10 days volunteering in Southern Mississippi helping with the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. An office building became her temporary home along with hundreds of other volunteers from across the nation. "It was all coed," she explained. "We slept on cots and there were sections with curtains for changing. Outside were trailers with showers and port a potties." Stephens laughed and said she forgot to pack shower shoes.

The 23-year-old was able to help in a variety of ways. At one time she found herself on an ambulance that served as a makeshift food delivery truck. "We would drive through communities and announce over the loud speaker that we were the Red Cross and we had food for them," she said. "We would provide hot meals twice a day and we would give them as much as they wanted."

Stephens later served in a shelter, even acting as manager, in Pearlington, Miss., two miles from the Louisiana border. "It's a poor community with a lot of destruction. There wasn't a house there that wasn't affected. A 30-foot wave had washed over the town, including the elementary school." Stephens said the school, what was left of it, became the "town center."

With walls held up by plywood, the center served the entire community that was left without water or power. Volunteers were on duty nearly 24 hours a day for clients and even a "store" was set up called "Pearl-Mart" where free items were distributed to local residents.

Stephens said many of the residents seemed grateful for their help. However, "I didn't press anyone to tell me their story. I was there to listen if they wanted to talk. Some took it really well and were even joking, 'I was supposed to get my mom's house (when she dies) but now we don't have to worry about it.' Then there was this woman who had lost everything and she wasn't ready mentally to go back to work." Stephens said eventually most of the people living in the shelter were provided a trailer from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Richard Temple, CEO of the American Red Cross Kern Chapter, said even though the need is diminishing in the Gulf Coast, there are a number of ways students can help the victims of disasters - from Katrina and Wilma to the tornadoes in Indiana and Kentucky. "I was talking with someone in the Gulf Coast and they said they started with 2,200 people in a shelter and the number has gone down to 75," he explained. "But they are still providing mental and physical health assistance. FEMA is trying to get people relocated somewhere as soon as possible."

Temple is extremely pleased with the response from the CSUB students. "I think it's a wonderful step for a young person to see that other people need help. It shows an outstanding student.

"We've been pleased with the nursing department at Cal State and the development of the individual depth of help. We hope that we get that kind of response if there is a disaster here locally."

Temple said typically volunteers don't get much notice for deployment. "For instance we just got a list of 14 names of people that were chosen and we're calling them today to see if they can leave tomorrow," he said. The organization pays for the flight and all accommodations for the 10 to 12 day stint.

Rena Jewell, another senior nursing student, was planning to use her time during winter break as a chance to volunteer. Jewell, originally from Atlanta, is willing to help in any capacity. "The people down there need to know there have been others affected by this," she said. "I think it will help heal them."

The students realize what a priceless opportunity this is. "It was a great experience," Stephens said. "I met a lot of great people and had the opportunity to apply what I've learned in a community setting. I highly recommend going. It is a great opportunity to help people and leaves you a changed attitude on life."

Farrell agreed. "They'll learn more in 10 days by being there then they would sitting in a classroom," she said. "I know once they go they'll be changed."

Hurricane Katrina even had personally affected Farrell. She has a home in Mississippi that suffered thousands of dollars of damage. At press time she was anticipating being deployed herself for volunteer service.

Farrell said even if the remaining nursing student volunteers aren't deployed or are unable to go at least they'll be certified with the Red Cross. "I know from my own experience that when a disaster happens a community turns inward," Farrell said. "It's important to be trained."

Overall it seems a valuable lesson has been learned. "It has made me be more vigilant," Jewell said. She now has created a kit with blankets, bottled water and other emergency supplies. "It's all been very sobering. I would hope they would help me."

Until the phone rings, she'll be waiting. "If they don't call me, they don't call me," Jewell shrugged. "At least I'll be doing my part."