My first trip in Hurricane Ike- we had to find a local Costco and buy $500,000 worth of generators. They brought semi-loads in to provide 500 generators. When we go into an area, we set up a command center in the parking lot in a central location to service the satellite locations. One town will have 10-15 dialysis centers. In the Ike Command Post, we had 32 satellite locations. Our guys assemble the generators (put wheels on, unbox, etc). When people show up to receive one, we hand out the generators and instruct them on how to use it, they give a fuel jug and fire extinguisher. The dialysis company supplies food, ice, gas, generators to their employees so they can come to work instead of track down supplies. Every day the docs, nurses, staff come in and we fuel their car up and log it. Fresenius pays the bill. SunCo is a fuel supplier that services hurricane-hit areas. They send their trucks but they require armed guards for each driver because they can get hijacked. We even hand-crank the pump that pumps their blood. Every worker- electricians, plumbers, etc that walk in that door must be guarded. They have special people come in and strip the clinic to rebuild it. We have fuel, ice, medicine and food at the clinics, which makes them a target.

We have cleaned houses, pulled up floors, helped do whatever folks need done when we are there. Sometimes when the system is down and you have cash in your pocket, you cannot buy certain things because they won’t sell it to you unless they can log it in the computer. The dialysis company keeps electricians ready to go wire up the emergency generators when they get transported to the sites.

We have lots of good guys- police, medical, firemen, martial arts. They know what they are getting into and they are happy to help. We have been to over 30 hurricanes. We have it down to a science.

When we went to Tampa for Helene, then North Carolina to Milton, we got down to Tampa, there were 110 patients that were unaccounted for. Within 10 days, we had located all 110 patients. When the power is out, most dialysis patients get sent to hospitals, but they don’t have the resources to cover that many people. They go without treatment.

We escort gas tankers, water trucks, food trucks, trucks full of generators. We get the power going for the dialysis clinic going on backup power. We escort the workers safely to-from home. They supply fuel for the workers to get there and home again.

We have to run security around so the gang-bangers don’t take the tankers when they are in route. We have to make sure the employees are safe/secure.

It is always surreal when I roll into the hurricane-ravaged area immediately after a major storm has just wreaked havoc. We are usually one of the first groups onto the scene, sometimes in the darkest hour. There are no street lights, no power, no open stores. The city water is shut off, and you can hear the hum of generators for those lucky enough to have them. Mandatory curfews and evacuations are still in place when we arrive. We are there to provide stability to an area whose police force is totally overwhelmed. Our main job is to ensure that fuel and supplies are distributed in an orderly manner. Sometimes when we pass through the road blocks going into the area, we aren't sure if we will be able to get back out when our mission is complete. That's part of the deal- the unknown. We take turns guarding generators, fuel pods, food, and campers that had been used to house staff. It is a 24/7 service. Without us there, it would be chaotic.

I have worked security for concerts in the past, but I had not worked a Hurricane until I was called for duty. Chief Burleson requisitioned me to Hurricane Michael to provide security to dialysis centers. That was quite the adventure!