Vanity -- TWRA officers sent to New Orleans

web site | 8-4-05 | Me

[girlangler]

TWRA Personnel Deployed Following Hurricane Katrina

On Friday morning, September 2, 2005, The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency sent forth a contingent of field personnel from Nashville and Jackson to assist in the search and rescue operations in New Orleans, LA, following Hurricane Katrina. Thirty-three commissioned officers and two radio technicians were deployed at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

“Our personnel are uniquely equipped to handle the type of recovery work that is desperately needed at this time,” stated Sonny Richardson, Chief of Law Enforcement for TWRA. “ We are sending officers who are expertly trained in boat operation and can make a quick and accurate assessment of search and rescue needs.” On the trip to New Orleans, personnel will go through Aberdeen, Mississippi, home to a manufacturing plant for Triton Boats, to pick up 10 shallow draft aluminum boats donated for the recovery efforts. According to Ed Carter, TWRA Boating Chief, “I talked with Earl Bentz, President of Triton, and he was more than willing to help us. In a matter of hours we had the boats we needed.”

The TWRA joins sister agencies from the states of Texas, Arkansas and Florida in providing forces in the New Orleans and surrounding areas. After a stop in Baton Rouge, LA on Friday night, officers will continue Saturday morning to the disaster site. “ This is dangerous work”, added Richardson. “Our guys are tough and resourceful but we’re not going to take anything for granted concerning their safety or well-being.” The officers will travel armed, with body armor and will also receive immunizations for tetanus and hepatitis A.

Gary Myers, Executive Director for TWRA was on hand at 6:30 a.m. Friday morning to see the officers off from Nashville. “I’m proud of these guys. We had many more that wanted to take part but this is all we could send. I won’t rest until they get back.” The deployment could last for up to 10 days and longer if necessary.

More information will be listed on our website at tnwildlife.org as it becomes available.

-------------------- Chief - User Enforcement

[girlangler]

I know most of these guys and am praying for their safety.

Thank God for Earl Bentz, president of Trition Boats, a former Tennessee Wildlfie Resources Commissioner, nd good guy, and thank you MERCURY Marine.

[G.Mason]

What's the hurry?

[girlangler]

G. Mason,

I'll be danged -- one of my favorite fishing guides wouldn't be a freeper would he?

See you later this month at the KOPA meeting if that is so.

[girlangler]

G. Mason,

I'll be danged -- one of my favorite fishing guides wouldn't be a freeper would he?

See you later this month at the KOPA meeting if that is so.

[girlangler]

Update from Sonny Richardson, chief of law enforcement for TWRA.

Asst. Chief of TWRA Enforcement
Member # 2705

posted 09-04-2005 10:49 AM

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Communication in the area is difficult. We are staying somewhat in touch through a few sat-phones we had for our regional offices and mobile command center and some very limited cell coverage. We hope to move the command center closer today in hopes of improving radio communications.

We have been told that our officers have been paired up with LA and Texas game wardens who had been there a day or two. As of last night, everyone was back off the water and OK. They were traveling back to Baton Rouge where they are being housed in a church. We were told that there were no assaults and no shots-but apparently there were some differences of opinion with some residents who refused to evacuate. Conditions in New Orleans are unbelievably "nasty". Availibility of gas is an issue, but we expect them to be back on the water for day 2 early this morning.

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers.

[G.Mason]

Fishing guides? Not in Louisiana, but if your're ever in Citrus County, FL I would be more than pleased to tell you where I catch red fish and sea trout. ;)

[girlangler]

Thought you were somebody I know with the name G. Mason here in Tennessee. Since you replied to a topic about TWRA I just KNEW you were him.

I'm an angler and he gets paid to take anglers angling.


Actually I was in Citrus County, FL. a few years ago for an outdoor communicator's conference, and many of our members did a lot of angling there, although I didn't cause I was mostly working at the time.

There are some great fishing opportunities there, and I do love redfish and speckled trout. I caught a few in Louisiana in the past.