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CNI Discusses Support for Sailors in the Aftermath of Katrina

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050902-26
Release Date: 9/2/2005 6:41:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Hendrick L. Dickson, Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- In a Sept. 2 interview, Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNI) Rear Adm. Christoper E. Weaver discussed the Navy's initiatives to ensure support is available for Sailors and family members affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Soon after Katrina roared through the Gulf Coast states, leveling almost everything in its path, the Navy began efforts to provide a routine, day-to-day support infrastructure for Sailors, their families and civilians in the area.

"Our first response is the stabilization of the installations themselves and the facilities, structures and people within them," said Weaver. "So, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, what we have sought to do is to make the bases safe again for transporation, mobility and so forth."

"Then immediately after, we have tried to get into the support for the individual Sailors and civilians and their families," he continued. "And that is probably the number one thing in the case of a disaster such as this. That is going to get us back up on our feet."

One way the Navy is supporting Sailors is by standing up community support centers on the bases where Sailors and family members can go to recieve the support they are accustomed to.

These one-stop centers will house such services as Personnel Support Activities, the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society, Fleet and Family Support Programs, Housing, Child Development Service and more. The first center is already up and running in Gulfport, Miss.

"Within a day or so [of the hurricane strike], in Gulfport, Miss., some services were being provided from the Fleet and Family Support Centers and the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society to be able to support and sustain our Sailors there," said Weaver.

Weaver said as the region becomes more stabalized, these centers will continue to be stood up until there is one to support every Navy base.

"As we regain electrical power to the bases that have been affected, we will be establishing the same type of centralized support process where the community support fuctions will be available from central locations on these bases," said Weaver.

"In the case of Pascagoula (Miss.), where there has been a significant amount of damage, we'll actually put [the support] on a bus and site it there."

Weaver also described other support avenues available, not only for Sailors in the the affected area, but others as well. In particular, he pointed out the Navy Personnel and Family Member Helpline currently available for Hurricane Katrina Relief Information (1-877-414-5358).

"The 877 number is available to people all over the Navy - not just for people in the affected area - that they can call. They will be recieved on the phone by a person, not a recording, and that person will own the question or issue until it is properly resolved by someone in the community support process within CNI or within [Navy Personnel Command]."

Weaver also issued a message of reassurance to those Sailors who are deployed and can not be home to support their loved one during this disaster.

"To those folks who are deployed, we are working to help them as a first priority, because we know you as a deployed member of our Navy force cannot do it yourself," Weaver said.

"This is going to generate a lot of anxiety, not just in the area that has been affected, but all over our Navy," he continued. "We want to reassure people and enable them to continue to perform the mission for our country and for our Navy by being able to take care of the loved ones and people who have been affected by this storm."

Finally, Weaver praised the Navy's response and efforts in helping the nation recover from one of the worst natural disasters in its history.

"Navy forces, both afloat and ashore, have the ability to respond and to merge together and work together to provide - from the sea and from the shore - an agile and responsive and effective response to a circumstance like this."

"We have a long way to go," he continued. "We know a lot of people are suffering and hurting, but we are very confident in the processes and the resources and, above all, the people that we have to get this job done."

Navy Personnel Command has set up a 24-hour help line for Navy members and their families to call for information regarding their loved ones. Those who need help can call 1-877-414-5358.