Lessons I Learned as a First Time FEMA Deployer

Following several chaotic weeks of the Hurricane Maria response in Puerto Rico response, I reflected on how much I learned during that time. My FEMA training gave me the basic understanding of how FEMA works in response to a major disaster, but seeing it in action was one of the most professionally expanding and developmental experiences I've encountered. I hope this will help other first-timers get in the right frame of mind going into the response. 

1. You hit the ground running and then you keep running more.
2. Efficient isn’t always effective. Evaluate the process to ensure the means are achieving the desired ends. (e.g., hub and spoke distribution doesn’t always work)
3. Don’t expect your lead/boss/supervisor to spell out your job or role; he or she probably doesn’t know because the situation is so fluid; find an oar or multiple oars and start rowing
4. Carve your own niche and build your network; own the oar(s) you grab and find out who in the JFO can help you (other task forces, ESFs, volunteers).
5. Be the guy (or gal) for whatever it is you do; the person people go to for expertise or knowledge in your area.
6. Swiss Army knives beat single function tools. Be able to do many things well.
7. Don’t fear risk if it’s for the right reasons. Forgiveness is sometimes better than permission.
8. The earlier you can put processes in place, the quicker you make real progress toward an end. 
9. There is nothing more important than effective communication; not even power, food, or water. Nothing happens without communication, coordination, and synchronization.
10. Silos abound; some just because it’s frantic at first; some because functions enjoy their little slice of the pie and don’t welcome outsiders. Don’t be afraid to crash the party.
11. Read the IAP and go to the meetings that might relate to what you’re doing; speak up even if you don’t have much to say. You gain cred when you speak up. 
12. Be cheerful and helpful. It’s sometimes a pain, but it’s part of the payback. You need help and you get the “karmic balance” when you help others. It also helps you build your network and credibility across the JFO. 
13. Relationships made in Anniston (or wherever you are in RSOI) sometimes pay off in the JFO. Make friends – even if you’re an introvert like me.
14. Remember why you’re here – always. It’s about the survivors who are much worse off than you are at the moment. Your job may get hard, but they have it harder.
15. Candy is a good currency in the JFO; sometimes a small pack of M&Ms can make someone else smile and they remember your kindness. 
16. Share knowledge with others. We had an old adage in the Army operations centers: “Who else needs to know?” I’d expand that to, “who else could benefit from knowing what I know?”
17. Learn where people work when they aren’t at the disaster. I look forward to seeing some of these folks around the HQs.
18. Come with a willingness to learn and to make mistakes; you are considered an FQS trainee for a reason.
19. Your leader will have a lot on his/her plate; find those things that you can take on to make their load easier and start doing them without being asked (or you can offer and see if they bite).
20. Make a good friend that makes you laugh and keeps you grounded. It makes the day go by much better!
21. It’s not my job is not part of your vocabulary. If you are handed a problem, help the person who brought it to you work it to fruition.