Forward Watch, February 5

Disaster Relief Operations

Gardendale, AL – Tornado

On the night of January 25, an EF-2 tornado with winds of 135 mph tore through this small town in Jefferson County causing extensive damage to public and private property, 18 hospitalizations, and one fatality.

How Team Rubicon Responded

January 28, Team Rubicon responded by sending site survey teams to assess damage from the storm and identify residents in need. Sawyer chainsaw teams then deployed to cut out downed trees and powerlines and remove hazardous debris from homeowner property. As well, Greyshirts played a critical role in managing and utilizing the outpouring of support from local volunteers. This operation concluded on February 5.

Long-term Recovery

Victoria, TX

As part of the Houston Rebuild, Team Rubicon’s long-term recovery operation to help homeowners in underserved communities affected by Hurricane Harvey, Greyshirts demolished six houses that had been condemned because of damage from the storm.

The next step will be for Team Rubicon to rebuild these six houses using hurricane resistant techniques and materials. Then, we’ll welcome the homeowners and their families back for a homecoming party. 

Navajo Nation Medical Support

Gallup, NM

At the request of the Indian Health Service, Team Rubicon is providing Greyshirt RN’s, paramedics, and EMT’s to relieve healthcare workers at the Gallup Indian Medical Center as they face a high rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations. Since November 25, these Greyshirts have been assisting in emergency rooms and testing sites. 

On December 15, Greyshirt Terri Whitson, a nurse and Navy veteran, administered the first rounds of COVID-19 vaccinations to the Gallup Indian Medical Center’s medical staff.

Vaccine Distribution Support

Team Rubicon is partnering with public, non-profit, and private healthcare agencies to assist with the rapid distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in every way possible. Greyshirts are currently supporting 21 points of distribution and have helped administer 72,000 doses of the vaccine.

Vaccine distribution support services:

• Site Administration – setup and management of points of distribution, traffic control, and patient check in.
• Logistical Support – warehouse operations, inventory management, documentation, and additional wraparound tasks at points of distribution and secondary sites. 
• Decompression – pre-vaccination screening of patients and observing patients for negative reactions after the vaccine has been administered.
• Volunteer Management – vetting and registering volunteers from partner organizations, training volunteers in agreed upon methods of operation, scheduling and assigning tasks as needed.

New Vaccination Support Operations

Mat Su Valley, AK

Greyshirts will deploy to the Mat-Su Borough COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Site at the Alaska State Fairgrounds beginning February 9. They will be providing logistics, site setup and general assistance in point of distribution management.

Fontana, CA

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health hosted a one-day mass vaccination event at the Auto Club Speedway on February 2 where officials estimated 3,500 people were vaccinated. Greyshirts provided wraparound services by assisting with traffic management and patient monitoring. A second operation will occur on February 27 for patients to receive their final dose of the vaccine.

Stockton, CA

Team Rubicon is proving EOC support for the San Juaquin County Office of Emergency Services.

Denver, CO

Team Rubicon is partnering with SCL Health in Denver for a large-scale vaccination operation on February 6. More than 100 Greyshirts will deploy to provide wraparound support including traffic control and patient monitoring. Officials expect to administer 5,000 vaccines. A second operation will occur on March 6 for the final dose of the vaccine.

Boston, MA

Team Rubicon will provide volunteer management at a vaccination site ran by the Boston Public Health Commission. This operation is to begin next week and will run six days a week.

Jacksonville, NC

Greyshirts began supporting vaccine distribution by providing wraparound services as a drive-thru vaccination site on February 2. They will be serving there every Tuesday through Friday.

Dayton, OH

Team Rubicon Greyshirts along with external volunteers will assist Dayton & Montgomery County Health with non-medical aspects of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. This will be accomplished by providing logistical support and guiding vaccine recipients through the process.

Redmond, OR

Team Rubicon deployed to assist the Oregon Department of Health’s mass vaccination site at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center beginning on February 3. Greyshirts are providing logistical support including supply runners and patient intake personnel support. This operation will run Thursdays and Saturdays.

Kennewick, WA

Greyshirts are providing non-medical support at the Benton County Fairgrounds drive-thru vaccination site. This operation began on February 2 and officials anticipate 1,000 vaccinations daily.

Ongoing Vaccination Support Operations

Goodyear, AZ

Tuscon, AZ

Deland, FL

Chicago, IL

Charlotte, NC

Fayetteville, NC

Las Vegas, NV

Carson City, NV

Hurst, TX

Midland, TX

Jefferson, WI

Jackson, WY