USA Up Star

Preparedness in Action: From Simulation to Real-World Hurricane Response ? On June 12, 2024, USA Up Star conducted a comprehensive exercise simulating the aftermath of a major hurricane, training our team to establish four base camps in various locations. During the After Actions Review held a week later, the exercise highlighted the need for our supply chain management team to establish a robust list of vendors who could provide all the services that are required to run full turnkey base camps in multiple location simultaneously. ? This preparation became invaluable in September 2024 when Hurricane Helene struck the Gulf Coast of Florida, testing our readiness and reinforcing the importance of proactive training. ? Florida Operations: After Hurricane Helene made landfall, USA Up star rapidly deployed to Florida’s Big Bend region. We established a?100-person base camp near Jacksonville, established and supported five comfort stations?in Suwannee County, supported a strategic response partner with their Mobile Medical Clinic at Madison County Memorial Hospital with additional assets strategically placed throughout the impacted area. These resources provided essential relief to responders and affected communities, ensuring critical operations could continue without interruption. ? Carolinas Operations: By early October, the impact of Helene reached North and South Carolina, prompting further mobilization. In South Carolina, USA Up Star set up?11 comfort stations?to serve displaced residents and first responders. In North Carolina, we established:? Three large responder base camps, collectively housing over 1,250 personnel in the state’s hardest-hit counties.? A?250-person camp and relief?center for displaced residents, offering shelter, hot meals, showers, restrooms & laundry while supporting recovery efforts This response highlights the vital connection between preparedness exercises and real-world operations.? The lessons learned during the June 2024 simulation directly contributed to the speed and efficiency of our response to Hurricane Helene. We are incredibly proud of our team for their unwavering commitment to serving impacted communities during this challenging hurricane season. USA Up star remains steadfast in our mission to deliver life sustaining resources, comfort, and recovery to impacted countries. ? #HurricaneHelene #DisasterRelief #PreparednessMatters #USAUpstar #TrainLikeYouFight #NorthCarolina #HurricaneExercise

We are so thankful to be able to give some joy to others when they are going through challenging times. Our President, Klay South, was generous enough to donate his suite Lucas Oil tickets to children at Riley Children’s Hospital. We are so happy this deserving family had a great time at the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in downtown Indy! Thank you so much for sharing this sweet video with us.

Mission Complete: USA Upstar Wraps Up Hurricane Response in the western North Carolina mountain region impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. As of today, USA Upstar has officially concluded its hurricane response operations in North Carolina with the demobilization of our final base camp in Asheville. Over the past several weeks, we have worked tirelessly to support recovery efforts in three of the most severely impacted North Carolina counties: Yancey,Buncombe , and Mitchell. From early October into mid November, our teams deployed resources, provided critical assistance, and collaborated with local agencies to address immediate needs and short-term recovery. This mission was not just about delivering life sustaining resources but also about standing alongside the resilient communities of North Carolina as they began the process of search & rescue and recovery. We are incredibly proud of our dedicated employees and partners who made this mission a success. The challenges were significant, but together we brought hope, relief, and support to the responding agencies and those who needed it most. Thank you to the people of Yancey, Buncombe, and Mitchell counties for their strength and determination—it has been an honor to serve you. While this chapter of the mission has come to an end, USA Upstar remains committed to helping communities prepare for and recover from disasters. #HurricaneResponse #NorthCarolina #DisasterRelief #USAUpstar USAUpStar.com

When you set up a 400 person base camp in a mountain environment after a Tropical Storm has shredded trees and destroyed roads, you have a lot of hazards to look out for. Practicing safety is very important and don’t forget about the natural hazards like the wildlife common in the area you are operating in because It could be a real bear to deal with. Video credit: Jay Bailey USA Up Star Base Camp Project Manager Asheville, North Carolina #WNC24 #TropicalStormHelene #WesternNorthCarolina #Asheville

The USA Up Star team at the disaster responder base camp in Asheville has completed it’s mission and has received a demobilization order. The first mobile units started rolling south out of the western North Carolina mountains and are returning to Metter, Georgia. Best wishes to Jay Bailey, Keith G. , Kenny Fruits and the entire base camp breakdown team for a safe demobilization. Safe travels to all of our vendors, transporters & hot shots. Thank you for another successful mission. #WNC24 #WeDoBaseCamps

Big thanks today to the SRQ Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Consortium led by Dennis Hudson for inviting USA Up Star Director of Emergency Management, Edward J McCrane Jr. to their SRQ CERT Symposium with CERT leaders and local emergency management officials. Great discussion on mutual aid by Stacy Aloisio, MPH, FAEM , EM Director from the City of North Port and Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department Chief Scott Kona. The 2024 hurricane season impacts and update from Sarasota County Emergency Management Operations Manager E J Landrith was very informative. Great job to the CERT groups for responding to their neighbors during Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene & Hurricane Milton Keep up the training! #SRQCERT #Debby #Helene #Milton #HurricaneSeason2024

Between camp support, operations, culinary, sanitation & cleaning, a 400 person base camp takes a big team. This team in Asheville, North Carolina has been running strong for over 40 days and counting. Big thanks to North Carolina Department of Public Safety for trusting USA Up Star with the care and support of your disaster mutual aid responders. #WNC24 #WeDoBaseCamps

It was a great evening to celebrate and honor the service of military veterans at the Asheville Base Camp. Attendees were North Carolina National Guard and Veterans from Team Rubicon staying at the camp as well as soldiers from the nearby Armory. The USA Up Star team was honored to host and support this event for Buncombe County Government who provided the steaks, baked potatoes & salad. Thank you KNS Culinary Group for preparing & serving the meal. Thank you all for your service

Today, USA Up Star proudly stands in gratitude as we honor the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. As a veteran-owned, veteran-led, and veteran-strong company, this day holds profound significance for us. We are deeply committed to recognizing the dedication, sacrifice, and courage of those who wear or have worn the uniform. Their unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms inspires everything we do. It is not only a privilege but a responsibility to support and uplift veterans and active service members within our community and beyond. On this Veterans Day, we salute each of you who has answered the call to serve. Your bravery and contributions are a testament to resilience, strength, and patriotism. From the entire USA Up Star team, we thank you for your service and commitment. To all veterans and active duty members—today and every day—we honor you.

Employee Spotlight: John Dill USA Up Star is thrilled to shine a spotlight on John Dill, a dedicated and inspiring member of the USA Upstar team. John joined us as a Program Manager during a critical time, right after Hurricane Helene had impacted Florida. His commitment and expertise were immediately evident as he became a full-time member of the team. John played a pivotal role when missions were launched to establish base camps in Western North Carolina. Leading by example, he spearheaded efforts to build, operate, and demobilize key sites, including the Spruce Pine Base Camp, the Burnsville Base Camp, and the General Population Relief Center at the Harris Middle School in Spruce Pine. John’s exceptional leadership and tireless work have made him an invaluable asset to our team. He hit the ground running from day one and hasn’t looked back. Thank you, John, for your unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions! #WeDoBaseCamps