The mission of the not-for-profit TEAM R&R Disaster Assistance (which stands for Trained, Equipped, Available Manpower-rescue and recovery) is to save lives and property in natural and other large-scale disasters. R&R helps fill the gap between normal community needs and the expanded requirements in emergencies. The TEAM’s policy is to render free service to the community/individuals it assists. It relies on funding and equipment donations from its “partners,” who provide funding, equipment, services, and support.
The most consistent funding source for the TEAM has been money its owner John Hamrick earns on his part-time job as a communication tower service technician. Hamrick’s primary job is firefighting. He is a 13-year veteran of the Ft. Wayne (IN) Fire Department and a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 124.
R&R assisted with some of our nation’s largest disasters, including the 2001 World Trade Center attacks; the Spring 2002 Mississippi River Flood and the Fall 2000 Hurricane Barry in Ohio; the May 2003 tornado in Jackson, Tennessee, and the September 2003 Hurricane Isabel in Virginia.
While assisting in the Jackson, Tennessee, tornado, TEAM R&R worked out of Jackson Fire Department Station # 1. Fallen trees and other debris had cut off residential sections so that emergency vehicles could not access properties and residents could not exit their homes. More than 300 fallen trees were recorded during this weekend. The TEAM, working under the supervision of Private George Conner, cut a path through the trees and debris.
Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel caused flooding and major wind damage in the Bruton area of York County, Virginia. TEAM R&R worked in Queens Lake with York County Fire and Life Safety Department Station 3, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Captain Andy Barden (acting battalion chief) recalls that Hamrick “was anxious to help in any way” and without monetary support. Hamrick was assigned to cut trees so the Queens Lake subdivision, which was completely cut off by the tremendous tree and wind damage, could be accessed. Barden noted that all six of the department’s fire stations, operating with 100-percent staffing, were working around the clock to answer emergency calls while trying to clear roads to gain access to everyone. “Hamrick worked hard to help us complete that task, working alongside residents, firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, and others to reach our objective,” Barden explains. Hamrick even took the time to brief the residents working with him on how to safely operate the chainsaws, Barden adds. Hamrick used the appropriate safety gear and practiced what he preached, Barden observed.
“John carried himself like a real professional and projects a good image of the fire service, private industry, corporate America, civic organizations, and private donors, all of whom he represents,” Barden reports. “He is definitely making a difference! I am keeping John’s number in the front of my Rolodex(r); he will get an early invite the next time. Many area residents could not say enough good things about John and his service in this time of need.”
Among the equipment donations received by the TEAM are a 14-foot self-bailing raft donated by American Legion Post 47; chainsaws, safety gear, bar oil, and extra chains from Stihl & Bryan Company; and an X Vision thermal imaging camera and monitor, received from Bendix at FDIC 2003 in Indianapolis. The company mounted the system on the TEAM’s Hummer. Other sponsors include Wal-Mart Store 1419, Warn Winch, DMP, Indiana Data, Sterling Rope, Craigville Diesel, Hoagy’s Wrecker Service, Artistry in Ink, Instant Copy, ASR, Junkin, and “numerous people behind the scenes,” according to Hamrick.
Hamrick and the TEAM’s efforts have won recognition with various community and corporate awards for community service. He has been working to get out the message of the TEAM and to gather more resources so the TEAM can respond to more emergencies. He has made presentations to a variety of organizations, including the Rotary and Lions Clubs, schools, and the Boy Scouts. In addition, Hammock makes appearances at special public events such as the Stihl-sponsored National Tractor Pull in Bowling Green, Ohio, which draws some 60,000 visitors, and the Paul Bunyon Festival in Ohio, which attracts 100,000 visitors.
Recently, Hamrick has embarked on a public education program for elementary school children in Indiana. The program stresses making a difference by giving of themselves, learning from mistakes, recognizing things that can be done to help others, and acquiring those skills (reading, listening, looking) that can help them in their quest to make a difference.
Additional information on TEAM R&R is available at www.teamRandR.org/. Hamrick can be reached by email at johnatteamrandr@aol.com. Contributions may be made to help the new school project. Contact TEAM R&R School Progam Fund, c/o FPCCFCU (Fire, Police, City, County, Federal Credit Union), att: Marla E., 3306 N. Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
