Tropical Storm Barry

National Guard Joint Operations Center
Camp Beauregard
Pineville, La.
Photo by Sgt. Noshoba Davis
10 July 2019

Yesterday afternoon, just after publishing my latest post Anyone Talked to the Analysts?, I took a quick look at Tropical Storm Barry and the preparations that were underway. One of the items that caught my attention on social media and numerous news outlets was the reporting that up to 3000 National Guard troops had been mobilized. All of this is in support of the state of emergency declared by President Trump, authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts ahead of the strengthening of Tropical Storm Barry. The request for federal assistance came from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards who had declared a state of emergency in Louisiana on 10 July. 

A quick look around the web shows the stand-up of various command posts and operations centers all across Louisiana. The photos below, posted on DVIDS and taken by Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis and Master Sgt. Toby Valadie, show Guardsmen and their Leadership receiving operational briefings on Tropical Storm Barry. These photos caused me to wonder what the Human Net looks like within the Incident Command System deployed for this incident. 

National Guard Joint Operations Center
Camp Beauregard
Pineville, La.
Photo by Sgt. Noshoba Davis
10 July 2019

As expected, this is a massive effort involving numerous government and non-government organizations. Based on the photos on the web, there are a number of geographically-separated "operations centers" that have been activated. Lots of resources and moving parts to collaborate, cooperate and coordinate on - and they span a large area. I expect the speed of need for information is in high demand given the complexity of this incident. 

Put yourself in the shoes of the Incident Commander (IC) and others in leadership positions supporting this incident. I can't help but wonder what their situational awareness ( i.e., their state of mind vice a picture on a screen in the ICP) looks like? A challenge for sure...

Photo by Master Sgt. Toby M. Valadie
Baton Rouge, La.

11 July 2019

Photo by Master Sgt. Toby M. Valadie
Baton Rouge, La.

11 July 2019

I will be tracking this storm and response as it hits close for my family. Special thanks to everyone responding with support - I appreciate your efforts. I will be keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers. Stay safe!

Humbly,

Collabman