Hurricane Rita Namesake Rescued from Destroyed Home in Hackberry, LA

Hackberry, La. —Hurricane Rita turned to veer toward Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in southern Louisiana with very little advanced notice of its strength or actual landfall site. Families of refuge employees, like their neighbors, rushed to gather their most precious possessions and move them out of the area or secure them as well as possible to endure the storm wherever they were. In many cases, evacuating families was the best that could be done. Many precious things had to be left behind. One such jewel was rescued by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service emergency response team. During a reconnaissance mission to assess damage to employee homes, workers discovered a very quiet, but safe and healthy ring-necked parakeet. The small bird was evacuated, affectionately named “Rita”, and quickly became the mascot of the Incident Command Post.

“It was obvious someone cared for the bird,” said Howard McCullough, leader for Bravo Division, who rescued the bird and described the situation. “It was left with plenty of food and water, and the cage was wrapped to keep it as safe as possible. We knew the family who owned it would be relieved to hear we had it, and it was safe.”

Back at camp, Rita became “Miss Congenialty.” Team members congregated at her cage to chat quietly with the bird, feed her a bit of apple, or just offer her a finger to nuzzle.

“Anything that sounds or looks like home makes the place better for the team members,” said Incident Commander Fred Wetzel. “Rita was a great addition to the Command Post. These folks work and live in some of the worst circumstances… often just functioning on adrenaline. Something like Rita helps relieve a little stress and reminds us why we’re here.”

Jane Pedrotti, a purchasing officer from the U.S. Forest Service in South Dakota who joined the Rita Response Team, quickly became Rita’s “adopted mom.” Signs above her cage stated “Do NOT feed me avacados, apple seeds or chocolate!” Pedrotti commented, “Rita must be tough to have survived this storm in a house that was destroyed. But, overall, these birds are pretty sensitive. It’s important that we keep her healthy until she can be reunited with her family.”

In the meantime, like others in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rita Response Team, Rita gets her “bird bath” each morning. But, somehow, we don’t think she shares their hopes for a hot shower!

The Rest of the Story (November 8, 2005): Rita has been reunited with her family: Daniel and Heather Davis. Daniel is an employee at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Hackberry, Louisiana. They are currently living with Heather’s father in Moss Bluff, near Lake Charles, Louisiana. On August 22, a few weeks before the hurricane hit, Daniel and Heather had a baby boy, Samuel. “Rita” is doing well. Her real name is “Jacob,” because they thought she was a boy when they named her. Rita/Jacob and her family send their best to the crew members of the Rita Response Team!

When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hurricane Rita Response Team arrived in Calcasieu Parrish last week, the primary objectives were to find their employees and take care of families’ needs. Next, the plan was to expand out and take care of refuge neighbors and help the communities. But, what wasn’t expected was having their neighbors reach out and take care of the team’s needs.

Several days after the team set up its primitive camp at the Southland Field of the Calcasieu Parrish Airport, a young man named Shane Richard walked into camp. Assuming he had come thinking the camp was a distribution point for water or ice and expecting to have to turn him away, the team members were amazed to hear what he had to say.

“We heard that there were a bunch of guys up here who had come to help and they hadn’t had a place to take a shower for days,” said Shane Richard. “We have cold showers at our house, and we’re willing to share. I’d be happy to take 4-5 folks to my house to get a shower.”

Bill Foster, head of Logistics for the response team, thanked Richard for the offer and explained that the family of a Sabine employee had given the team use of their house to get regular showers. He added, “But, we sure could use some extra help, if you’re looking for a job for a couple of weeks.” Richard was unable to work with the team, but offered to help find someone else. Thirty minutes later, he walked in with Nathan Sandifer from Sulphur.

Sandifer was hired in a temporary “administratively determined” position to provide camp support for the team,” said Bonnie Strawser, information officer for the response team. And, he became one of the team…. just like everybody else. He ran errands, replenished ice supplies, hauled materials and supplies, put together generators, built screen doors, and did whatever else we needed. He did it with a smile on his face and an attitude of helpfulness and appreciation for being there.”

“I walked over to meet Nathan and asked how his house had held up…. He said he didn’t have a house anymore… that he and his family were living in a travel trailer with his grandparents, who had also lost their home,” said Strawser, describing her first conversation with Sandifer. “Here he was helping us when he had lost everything himself. But, that’s the kind of reaction we’ve seen everywhere in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes—people reach beyond their own needs to help others…. They’re all good neighbors.”

“It’s been great to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Sandifer, who recently graduated from Parkview Baptist High School in Sulphur. “I would like to find a permanent job with the Service and continue.”

“I think Nathan might have ‘discovered his calling’ while on this temporary assignment,” Strawser continued. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t see Nathan as an employee on a national wildlife refuge one day… he’s certainly made of the right stuff…”

Fred Wetzel, Incident Commander for the Response Team, was also impressed with the young man.

“I told him we’d be happy to give his name to contractors and other companies who will be accomplishing some of the needed repair and construction work on these refuges,” said Wetzel. “Anyone looking for a good hand would be glad to have Nathan around.”

Wetzel praised Sandifer’s work ethic and attitude.

“These Incident Command Teams work under the worst of conditions,” he continued. “We often have to make do with less than needed equipment, supplies and materials, and we just have to do the best we can with what we have. Nathan has been a great team player and a hard worker. With that combination, I’m sure he’ll go far.”