Katrina’s Toll on One Dispatcher

A story in the Dallas Morning News profiles Kiln (Miss.) dispatcher Anita Fowler, who has been a dispatcher for 21 years, but who is now struggling in the post-Katrina days. The story notes the people that she must help when she is working. It then adds, “But at home alone in her government trailer, with her decaying dream home just outside her window, her words ring hollow. Every night, she fights the misery and near solitude, battling thoughts of shame and suicide, teetering on the edge of alcoholism.” Poignantly she told the reporter, “I don’t want to give up. I know there’s something better. … I don’t think I’ll ever kill myself. I hope to God not, anyway.” Read the story (sub. req.) here. Update: Read more about Fowler’s situation.&t&tThe 911 CARES program provides the following information:

Hi all- Many of you probably saw news stories of the 2-year aniversary of Hurricane Katrina yesterday. As I teach around the nation, dispatchers often ask how they can help. Here is a dispatcher in need of help. Her name is Anita Fowler and she works for Hancock County (Miss.). Please do what you can to help. Though gifts would be nice, she has no room in her FEMA trailor. She is planning for her new house and her doctor says she needs a new matress and other items. Maybe just write out a check (even $5-$10 adds up) or get a Wal-Mart gift card. Don’t send it to 911 CARES, send it directly to Anita at the following address:

Anita Fowler – PO BOX 251 – Kiln, MS – 39556

Also – We have learned that there are a few other dispatchers STILL living in FEMA trailors. Their houses are still not re-built. I’ve wanted to help since my last visit and I think I have an idea! I invision a group of 30-50 dispatchers going down to the Gulf (once hurricane season is over) and lending our talents to help wall-up, paint, do garden work, build fences, etc. We will work on dispatchers homes. We will run it like a incident dispatch team! We will need food service people, logistics, worker bees, shoppers, huggers and lots more. I don’t want a committment now, just an idea if you are interested. There are NO exact dates or details right now. You will probably have to get yourself down to the gulf and we will split housing costs if we can’t find a place to house us. Past that, 911 CARES will pay for food, re-building materials and whatever we need to help our brothers and sisters. Anyone is welcome to help, you know there are some firefighters, officers and family members that have construction skills. In a perfect worls, we will need a couple electricians, dry wallers, tile people, etc. Let your mind go wild and e-mail me at kevin@pstc911.com. I will start a folder of offers and once we get the details I promise to post them. (**right now I am thinking maybe the week after Thanksgiving or just after the first of the year, it will take some coordination and scheduling work but I think this is too important to let it pass by plus our friends like Amita, need us.

Thanks all,

Kevin and the team at 911 CARES www.911cares.com 650-595-5202 x102