[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Need work? Great pay, long hours, and harsh conditions? Work disaster relief in LA, MS, etc. (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 8/28/2005 12:13:28 PM EDT
|
It occurred to me earlier today that with Katrina about to lay Thor's Hammer on Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and other places, if you need work and want to make a lot of money in a short time, get your bags packed, load up your truck with a few week's worth of essential supplies, and get ready to head into the upcoming disaster area ASAP. EVERY pair of hands that can work will be very, very welcome and you can be very well compensated. If this is an idea that appeals to you, I'm SURE it will be no trouble for you to get on with some company that will be providing relief efforts. Help out your fellow Americans and make a pile of money while doing it. I'm thinking about it myself....if I can get a leave of absence from my employer. CJ |
Sounds like it is time to find another FD. |
|
After the last big quake in California some guys were making 3 grand a day resetting DirecTv dishes and other company's too. I couldn't make it but it was like picking up gold on the street they said. I talked to some of the guys who were getting a reduced rate of 68.00 per reset. They were going up on one roof and resetting 10 dishes. The dishes just got knocked out of alignment by a hair, just enough to make reception impossible. |
Not really. DAMN, they're going to need all the help they can get! Got a chainsaw? Buy every spare chain you can get for it and enough gas/oil to keep it humming for weeks and get out there. Got a strong back? Bring gloves and boots. Got a strong stomach? Join the body recovery teams. They're going to need all the help they can possibly get, and yes, you will be paid well for your efforts. But you'll earn every last dollar, in blood, sweat, and tears. I guarantee that. CJ |
|
SHOW UP. And say you're able bodied and ready to help. Mention any relevant skills you have. You'll be picked up on the spot by any team supervisor. Work power? Find a power utility's convoy. Work phone? Find a phone crew convoy. Anything you can do that will help will be in demand. Including body recovery. You can search, can't you? You could check the internet sites of many companies NOW and get some more data. Contact FEMA and tell them you're ready to help. They can hook you up with a job immediately. Bring a pickup truck (with a camper top if possible), tools, personal supplies including water, and enough to last for at LEAST two weeks. Canned food, MREs, a camp stove, a generator if you can swing it. Bring some meds, too. Ben Gay, all sorts of stuff. You're going to work your ass off and become very tired every day. Bring several pairs of boots and gloves. Toiletries. From soap to TP. Several week's worth. And bring enough to give some away because you'll be bringing in supplies that some people won't have anymore. I'm serious about this...hit your local truck dealership tomorrow if you don't already have a truck, and give them a signed letter of your intent to join disaster relief efforts. FEMA may even BUY you a truck to do this, but the dealership just MIGHT let you drive away with it and settle up with you later if you're a good joe with a good record. Dig deep, guys. Now is the time when your compassion will be well rewarded. You will make a lot of money, too, but it will be bought with a lot of your blood, sweat, and tears. CJ |
|
My roommate worked as a tree climber/clearer along with like 10 other guys, he made atleast 800$ a DAY on a bad day and sometimes 2k$ on a good day. This was back in Pensacola during the Post-ivan period. I remember him asking me to store 20K$ in 100s and 20s......in my safe. Gawwlee I was envious. |
| The downside of everyone rushing to the scene is where will you sleep and where will you eat. It is an extra burden on response crews to have freelance helpers in the beginning. Extra mouths to feed, extra housing needed, extra medical care... There are over 13 million MREs en route and that is only expected to last 2 days. |
| Hmmm, im going down to see a friend, labor day weekend in louisiana. And im guessing im gonna be right in the middle of the aftermath. I have a CDL B in MD, wonder if it can be used in That state. Im pretty sure it can, means i could help drive a dump truck or delivery truck with supplies. |
|
I went to Andrew in the early 90's, massive devastation, with FEMA related activities. I went again last year after IVAN and during Jeane for 2 weeks on the govt. to help FEMA with logistics of getting water, ice, MRE's and other stuff to the intended places. They have already called for volunteers for this go around so I imagine I will head out next week at the latest if they accept me again. Even govt. overtime is good at 50 bucks an hour. I had over 100 hours of OT in two weeks...but I was pooped by the time I got home. Can't imagine living with the conditions longer than that. I was at Ft. Walton Beach/Pensacola right after Ivan and then in Jacksonville right immediately after Jeanne. Essayons |
Thanks for the info. How do I get one of these jobs? Just show up? |
Where can I sign up? I work offshore, and as you guys know we took a pretty bad hit out there. Nobody can confirm when we'll be headed back to work. If any of you guys are putting a crew together, let me know. I'm a computer technician, with navy and civilian firefighting experience, basic first aid and several other useful things. (also a good shot... )
|
|
Here's a bit of networking info that may be of benefit to some. This morning I emailed my Farmers Insurance agent, to find out about any temporary or contract positions with their company. I called a number he gave me, but was then redirected to the Farmers Disaster Center. They in turn suggested I call Wardlaw. Apparently, this is the number one source used by Farmers for finding temporary adjusters, etc. I'm still interested in hearing of any other contact numbers or job leads that may appear, but thought I'd pass this along. |
|
Sorry, I should have said I am already a govt. employeed engineer. Our agency gets calls from FEMA to help them with ER stuff, sometimes engineering, sometimes not. FEMA pays all the overtime reimbursing my particular agency for what I do and my salary (in excess of normal hours). Essayons |
|
headed to Jackson, MS this weekend. friend needs help clearin a bunch of trees. He says the pay is ridiculously good - like 'turn part of it down' good. I was there last night (long story) and Jackson, MS seems to be the dividing line between 'no big deal - just a storm' and 'we're now a third-world country'. |
need help? |
Ah yes! 1989 hurricane Hugo and the lovely Island of St. Croix. We slept on lawn chairs in a ocean front condo without a roof or running water. No electric, no windows, made it difficult to lock up your gear and tools. When a grocery store finally re-opened we BBQ'ed our meals on charcoal and drift wood. Beer was $2 a can, Rum was $2.50 a bottle. I quickly acquired a taste for rum. After about 6 weeks we had repaired the roof, restored electric via a generator, and even had the pool cleaned up and open. If I weren't 41 years old...I might consider doing that again!  |
|
I have a tractor with a front end loader and a backhoe, but I want to be paid. Any work that anyone knows of down there and I can be there within 3 days and stay indefinately. [email protected] |
I'm working on it. For what it's worth, anyone with a strong back and a sharp chainsaw could make GOOD money by just showing up. Head towards NO, and stop when you see damage. I'm not ballsy enough to do that myself, so I'm on the phone lining up work. I'll post my findings tomorrow. Hopefully some of the gulf-states crew can help us help them here by pointing us towards needed work - whther for pay or for free, there's a lot that needs done. |
|
Tag. I was thinking along these very same lines this morning. I may be totally free and clear within 14 days to head down there for as long as I want. Hey arowneragain, any word on what things look like east of Jackson? (I lived in Meridian for 14 months). I'm in a motel and have limited TV access, most of the reports are all about New Orleans/Gulfport. |
|
I'm planning on heading down mid november when the work in nj i am under contract for runs up. By mid november the insurance companies should have checks written so there will be lots of construction work. I'm planning on working down their untill mid march. Matt |
| I NEED the money. Haven't worked since January (besides small, odd jobs). I have a 4x4 truck that I can bring - a trailer too if needed. Haven't been driving the 4x4 much - too expensive. I have been wondering lately if there was a way to use my truck to make money - maybe this is the answer? I will look on the FEMA site. Any leads for contacts would be appreciated. |