GOING THE EXTRA MILE

At a special awards breakfast on May 16, General Lowenberg presented Washington Emergency Management Division's 49-member Human Services Team with the coveted state Extra Mile Award from the Washington State Productivity Board as part of the Public Service Recognition Week.  

The team operated between Dec. 13, 2007, and Feb. 28, 2008, as part of the Presidential disaster declaration DR 1714 for the floods and windstorms of December 2007 in Washington.

The Extra Mile Award is given to an individual or group of public employees who surpass expectations for exemplary public service by demonstrating at least one of the following attributes:   

• Execute an innovative solution.
• Improve efficiency.
• Exhibit visionary thinking.
• Overcome great odds or disadvantages.
• Demonstrate personal valor or bravery.         

"The team selflessly provided exceptional, timely and record setting service to a highly traumatized segment of state citizens at the worst moment in their lives." the award stated.

Team members assisted individuals who were forced out of their homes or suffered uninsured personal property losses. The award said team members worked right through the holidays, logging 12 plus hours a day, seven days a week, for weeks on end providing qualitative services at a record pace

  The team's record was as follows:

·         conducted preliminary damage assessments in 11 counties leading to a federal declaration in 10 counties;

·         performed community relations operations in 10 counties in less than 60 days garnering over 10,600 registrations;

·         co-managed 10 Disaster Recovery Centers serving 6,139 disaster victims;

·         managed two different state help lines handling approximately 5,000 calls;

·         processed 4,330 Other Needs Assistance grant cases awarding approximately $2.8 million to disaster applicants for personal property losses;

·         helped 272 individuals/families find assistance for their disaster related needs not met through federal assistance in the largest flood disaster in the state in more than a decade.

Team members "should take great pride in being recognized for the quality and quantity of the work you have done to help others in this event.  It is one thing to excel as an individual, and yet another to excel as a team, Go Team!" stated Team Leader John Vollmer, deputy state coordinating officer--human services for DR 1714.