CAT Answers the Call

Planning

It started on Monday, October 3rd, with the mid-day update from CEMA. Safety Director Erica Franklin shared the news with staff that CEMA had advanced to Operational Condition (OPCON) 4 as a “precautionary measure based on the storm track of Hurricane Matthew.” By Tuesday morning, it was OPCON 3; and by Thursday at 6 AM, OPCON 2.

During those two long days of watch, wait, and see at Chatham Area Transit (CAT), the Hurricane Preparedness Plan was taken off shelves and put into action. Volunteer requests were put up and filled out almost immediately. From seasoned operators like Daniel Barnes with 44 years of service, to Mechanics Reubin Evans and Corey Quay with less than 6 months each, CAT employees stepped up with gusto. When most other people rightfully look to their own homes and families, CAT employees put their community first.

Evacuation

3 buses with "evacuation" signsBy noon on Thursday, once the evacuation order was made mandatory for the whole county, CAT routes began deviating to the Civic Center and all services were made fare-free. Thursday night, seven vehicles—a combination of fixed route and paratransit—evacuated with the school buses and police escort. At midnight, the others standing by at the Civic Center were sent back to CAT Central for some sleep before Friday’s final evacuation.

During that entire time and continuing throughout the weekend, the calls poured in to the Emergency Support Function (ESF)-1 desk at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Requests for transportation to go to Tybee, to Bloomingdale, to Pooler. Calls to serve the hospitals, senior facilities, and to check on residents who were listed on the Functional and Medical Needs Registry who had not checked in at the Civic Center. There was even a special run made by a firefighter who had formerly worked part-time at CAT to pick up stranded homeless people on the Talmadge Bridge.

Friday morning, the volunteers returned to the Civic Center, more transportation requests were fulfilled, and buses were loaded for evacuation. Safety Supervisor Jeff Swinton recalls leaving the EOC by noon to stand in the wind and rain overlooking I-16, waving at the convoy of buses and government vehicles taking our friends and neighbors to safety.

These employees report the most amazing shelter experience, calling it “Camp Augusta.” They rave about Maypark Community Center and the principal of Tubman Middle School. They laugh remembering the talent contests and dance contests held to entertain each other over the weekend, and they especially thank Monica Jackson and Melinda Carson for serving and cleaning up every meal.

Re-entry

Upon receiving word of re-entry, they left the passengers and friends they had made to pick up school bus evacuees. CAT vehicles needed to be in town on the ground and ready to move people around as soon as possible, so these volunteers stayed on the clock, shuttling people to and from the shelter at the Trade Center. Additional staff, some who never left and some who came back early, drove routes on Sunday and Monday to see what service could safely be put back in place as soon as possible.

When the Islands YMCA opened up as a shelter, CAT transported people there. When a shelter was opened down by Al Henderson Boulevard, CAT transported people there. Volunteers slept the minimum required hours on Monday and got back behind the wheel Tuesday so people could get groceries, batteries, and tools for cleaning up their yards. CAT issued free Day Passes so that people who couldn’t return to their homes were able to get what they needed and get back to their shelters.

As a result of these efforts, approximately 4,400 people were safely evacuated to Augusta and returned once conditions were safe. Twenty-six CAT vehicles aided in carrying residents, pets, and some incredibly generous gifts back from Augusta angels. Twenty-nine operators, 3 supervisors, 2 mechanics, and 1 assistant voluntarily chose to stay until the last possible moment so that others would have a ride to safety. And because of the indomitable heart and willingness of all CAT staff, nearly 75% of transportation services were back in operation on Tuesday—for free—and completely running by Wednesday.

That was the call. And CAT is proud to have answered it. For all of Chatham County.

CAT staff in front of Maypark sign in Augusta

 

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