FORT MEADE, FL (WFLA) — Jennifer Camp missed her father when disaster struck.
“My father was the corrector of everything that happened in every home, not just my childhood home,” she said.
Her father, Andrew, passed away last year.
His memory was the first thing that popped into the camp’s mind when Hurricane Ian collapsed the ceiling of his Fort Meade home in September.
“This is the house I grew up in and just seeing the devastation was so disappointing,” she said.
Rain poured into the house as the ceiling collapsed. A few weeks later, mold developed.
Without her father showing her around, Camp went to the city of Fort Meade to ask what help was available.
“Normally, the city controls public areas, rights of way, driveways, etc. in the city. As one Jean Bagnall said,
Entry: Team Rubicon.
The city helped the camp connect with Team Rubicon, a national group of volunteers who respond to natural disasters and provide free recovery services.
“We are using the skills that we have gained in the private sector as well as in our professional lives in the military, EMS, fire and police,” said Valerie Decio.
The team helps build tarp roofs and clear trees. A “removal team” removes debris, drywall, and damaged floors and ceilings.
A group of 30 people from Team Rubicon arrived at Fort Meade in the first week of October to serve survivors of Hurricane Ian in Polk and Hardy counties.
Other teams are in Puerto Rico as well as Charlotte, Lee, Volusia and DeSoto counties.
“We have a bias to act, and when we’re sitting and we see a storm brewing, we want to help people. We want to help them get back to normal.” This is the worst day of their lives, they may have lost everything,” Decio said.
To contact Team Rubicon for support, please call 863-410-0028.
City administrator Bagnall says Team Rubicon has helped drive cleanup in his city.
“Many residents will probably not be able to keep up with a complete cleanup of the city for months, as they do not have the capacity to bring in timber services to help cut down trees,” Bagnall said.
On Thursday, the “demolition team” was clearing the camp homes so that contractors could come and begin the rebuilding process.
It’s a job that Camp doesn’t have to worry about or make an insurance claim for.
They are also removing valuable possessions, such as the camp father’s collection of pocket knives and her late brother’s funeral plaque.
“[They are] We have enough compassion and empathy to know that we live here forever. [say] “Here are some sentimental photos and personal items for us,” she said. rice field.”
For more information about Team Rubicon, visit teamrubiconusa.org.
