The Devastation of Hurricane Harvey

August 30, 2017 Leave a comment


As I watched the news earlier this morning, catching up on Hurricane Harvey, my heart was broken. 

Hurricane Harvey is causing massive destruction, to say the least. The flooding it has caused due to the huge amount of rainfall, currently over 50 inches in Houston, is a record in the United States. This isn’t the kind of record people want to see broken at all. I can’t imagine how long it will take for people to recover from the hurricane, if they ever do. Many, many people have lost their home, all of their belongings and don’t have a job to support their families, much less the means to get to their job if they could go.

There are people that need medications. How will they get them? What about people on oxygen? There are pregnant women giving birth during this and the hospitals are low on supplies. I saw a report of a woman whom gave birth while waiting for emergency responders to arrive. Luckily, they arrived right after she gave birth.

What about those expecting their social security checks? For many, that is their only means of support. We all know the saying about mail being delivered no matter what the weather conditions. I doubt whoever made up the saying counted on a record breaking hurricane to stop the mail from being delivered.

There are many blessings to consider as well. People are going to Texas, not just from all over the state, but from all over the country, to help rescue those stranded in their homes, on roofs or floating in the water and take them to safety. They are showing the entire country that people need to come together, unify as one, to help and do what true Americans do, help those in time of need. There is one local gal in Texas doing all she can to help. Susan Seery is on the scene. She is on the Oakland Fire Department. She is also a member of the Red Cross, serving as a supervisor and in part of the DAT-Disaster Action Team. God Bless her for all she is doing, helping those that are displaced by Harvey. 

This country is not a country full of hate, as some media sights claim. Take a look at Texas and you will see, this country is full of love for one another. 

God Bless Texas!

 

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Seery’s Journey to Help Those When Disaster Strikes

May 22, 2014 1 Comment


“Ever since I was little, I always wanted to find ways of helping people. That is why I became a volunteer firefighter,” stated Susan Seery of rural Oakland.

As time passed, Susan realized she wanted to go beyond being a firefighter. She felt there was much more she could do to help others. “I decided to look into the Red Cross. I always hear about them. They are always on the scene after a disaster strikes,” Susan said. “I then thought to myself, that is another way I could help people out.”

Thus, the next chapter of her life began. “I looked them up, gave them a call and took some classes,” Susan stated.

After taking the required classes, Susan became a member of the Red Cross, responsible for client case work. “This means I would fill out their information and what they lost,” Susan said. “Some clients would receive funds to help replace some of what they lost.”

Her first time helping those in need was after a tornado hit Macy. “The people there were so nice and happy to see us,” Susan stated. “One gentleman gave me a big hug and told me thank you.” He also said he was surprised they were there. “He told me he didn’t think anyone would ever help us out. It broke my heart,” Susan said.

Having heard someone say that, Susan decided she wanted to help people even more. “I decided to become a Volunteer Red Cross Supervisor,” Susan stated. She took several online classes in pursuit of her goal, which she achieved.

Being a Supervisor means she has many more responsibilities when disaster strikes. “I can do mass feedings, help with shelters, damage assessment and much more,” Susan said. “I can also get called out when a home is destroyed by a fire.”

Susan’s next call of duty came after a tornado hit Beaver Crossing. “Pretty much the whole town lost everything. It was the first time I have seen such destruction like that in person,” Susan stated. “In Macy, we weren’t able to go out because everything was blocked off. In Beaver Crossing, we needed to survey the damage.”

Susan’s favorite movie is Twister. “To se a town destroyed in person is devastating. My heart went out to all the people there and the other seven towns that were affected by the storms on Mother’s Day,” Susan said.

Susan is also nationally recognized. “This means if there is a national disaster in another state, I would be deployed for up to two weeks to help with those affected for any type of disaster,” Susan stated. “This includes disasters from flooding to tornadoes.”

Susan was very moved by the disaster and how devastating a tornado can be to everyone in its path. “ After I got home that night, I hugged my kids and told them that I love them very much as I do every day,” Susan said. “But, I hugged them a little tighter, knowing things can change in an instant.”

 

Tornado strikes Battle Creek. All Photos/Credit of Susan Seery of the Red Cross and rural Oakland resident.

Tornado strikes Battle Creek. All Photos/Credit of Susan Seery of the Red Cross and rural Oakland resident.

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Susan Seery, Volunteer Red Cross Supervisor. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

Susan Seery, Volunteer Red Cross Supervisor. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

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Oakland Firefighters Attend Fire School

April 4, 2014 Leave a comment


Six Volunteer firefighters from Oakland attended fire school in Sioux City, IA March 15th and 16th.

Those attending were Nick and Susan Seery, Cody Workman, Daniel Jones, Nick Hale and Bill Peterson.

There were many classes offered during the two-day class. Cody, Nick H. and Bill attended an Advanced Ventilation Roof Fire Class on Saturday. Bill and Nick H. took Vehicle Extrication on Sunday and Nick S., Susan and Daniel attended an Interior Attack Class on Sunday.

“I learned a great deal and had a good time. It was my first interior fire. I had never performed an interior attack before. I’ve had plenty of other fires like outside of building fires and grass fires and a couple of car fires,” stated Susan Seery.

Daniel Jones in the white helmet, is one of the many firemen who attended fire school in Sioux City. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

Daniel Jones in the white helmet, is one of the many firemen who attended fire school in Sioux City. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

Susan Seery, white helmet and Nick Seery in the red helmet, attended fire school in Sioux City. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

Susan Seery, white helmet and Nick Seery in the red helmet, attended fire school in Sioux City. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

Daniel, Nick and Susan at Sioux City Fire School. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

Daniel, Nick and Susan at Sioux City Fire School. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.

 

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