How do we help hurricane victims

[mcbride]

We were wondering if anyone that uses this forum knows how, who, where, or what we can do to donate our driving services and the use of our truck to bring supplies to the hurricane stricken areas? We have called the Red Cross, FEMA, and have registered with Florida Volunteers but have not gotten one response.

What we would like to do is take a trip to one of these areas with essential supplies such as water, generators, and/or any other supplies that are needed in the affected areas for free. We just had a dispatched load that delivered hospital supplies to Pensacola, Florida on Wednesday and the only reason we took it was we felt we were helping out. (We knew we would never get a load out of the area. <g> )When we drove for FedExCC we used to deliver to disaster areas for FEMA as well so we know the carriers are being contacted.

It just seems to us that since we have been out here driving we haven’t done as much charity work as we used to when we held our “real” jobs. It would be wonderful if we could help those in such dire need now. We never knew it could be so difficult to donate our services.

After 911, we called the carrier we leased with and inquired about donating our services. They indicated that they had been asked but could not give out our information as we are contractors not employees. We wish they would have at least asked us or told us of the inquiry. We recognize that our respective carriers don’t want their fleets donating services that they could possibly get paid for, but it wouldn’t hurt any of us to take one load to these areas. In addition, it may even reflect as a good public relations move with regard to our respective carriers.

Oh well, just jabbering I guess.....


mcbride-
--What goes around comes around--

 

[geo]

you have hit all places name, but maybe go to pastor of what ever
church you belong to as they alway have people who are helpiing out
and who know who needs what

 

[davekc]

While I don't have the number, FEMA has a number that they were running on Dave Nemo for on call trucks. The staging area is in Tampa. They may have moved some of it to Orlando or Tal. to help with Ivan victims. Calling FEMA directly in FL should put you with the right people. That number is 813-612-9029
Most of Red Cross is looking for volunteers or cash donations.
Davekc

 

[copdsux]

I believe that Landstar Express America has the FEMA contract, at the
present time. I've spoken to a few drivers that have been down in Florida for several weeks now. As I understand it, FEMA "contracts"
them through LEA for thirty(30) days. So, unless FEMA releases you,
you'll be in Florida, Alabama, or whereever until the clean-up ends.
I won't mention what they are making per day, but it makes my eyes tear up when I think about missing the opportunity by TWO weeks!!
Best wishes to any of you that find a way to help out. In case anyone is wondering: Yes, I'm definitely going through "diesel fumes withdrawal"!! LOL!

 

[FloridaEOC]

I am writing from the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, FL and was referred to this thread. I realize many individuals interested in helping in the transportation department have met little luck being matched with an actual load to transport, but please contact me and I will personally match you with a need and make sure you can help - we need you!

To anyone able to help, we are looking for anyone who can provide the use of a tractor/trailer truck in addition to their own driving abilities if at all possible. Matching up drivers and trucks from various regions is just not happening quickly or ideally for anyone. If you can offer a truck and a driver to come to Florida, we will find a donation to fill that truck no matter what area you are coming from. We need deliveries made to a central warehouse and from there we have individuals and vehicles to transport goods where they're needed. Within the state, we simply need tractors to pull pre-loaded trailers to various destinations. If you can help with either, please let me know!

Thanks for considering helping us out. We have no funds to cover your expenses, as all resources are being stretched to their limits right now all over the state in recovery efforts, so we ask you to help out of the kindness of your hearts. Any and all help makes a profound difference to those who have had to suffer the results of these tragic storms.

Bridget Boudreau
Florida EOC
850.410.3345
[email protected]
volunteerflorida.org

 

[RichM]

I have been working with Landstar for the Fema contract for the last 15 days.Today they called FDX and released me. I did sit a lot as they were primarily using E units from Landstar and US Express. Whjat they really needed was reefer units to haul ice around to smaller staging areas.
Some folks might think there was no organization to this mess but the FEMA and Forest Service and the Army Corp of Engineers were putting in 16 hours a day. In Jacksonville as of last week, they shipped out over 25 million pounds of relief supplies,over 800 loads were received and re-shipped.They used the Naval air Station in Jacksonville as the main staging area and then shipped to smaller areas such as Ocala,Melbourne FL etc.