Douglas E. McClure

The Hatchery: a blog about my adventures in bird watching

Day 6 of Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Response – Wilkes-Barre, PA Area Flooding

In recent days, we have discussed the various phases of the disaster response process. One of the important phases in this process is the transition of one incident command to another team. One of the strengths of The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Response process is its’ ability to transfer the responsibility of command and distribution…

September 22, 2011
Day 5 of Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Response – Wilkes-Barre, PA Area Flooding

The area around the Wilkes-Barre, PA general area is beginning to see some return to normalcy. A lot of neighborhoods have power and basic services. We have seen more decreases in feeding on mobile units. Two canteens were sent out today. Unit 2 was sent to Plainsville & West Nanticoke, and unit 5 went to Shickshinny, Maconaqua,…

September 21, 2011
Day 3 & 4 of Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Response – Wilkes-Barre, PA Area Flooding

We are now into an interesting time in the emergency disaster services plan. Our original response to the flooding in this area has been feeding. We have begun to supplement that feeding program with cleanup kits, bags of ice, snacks, and bottled water. As the numbers of people requiring mobile feeding have declined, we are…

September 20, 2011
Salvation Army reinforcements arrive – News – Citizens Voice

Salvation Army reinforcements arrive – News – Citizens Voice. To help cope with the scope of the damage in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lee, the Salvation Army has brought in reinforcements. Local members of the nonprofit, faith-based organization have been on the ground since the flood on Sept. 8-9, and this weekend…

September 19, 2011
Day 1 & 2 of Emergency Disaster Service (EDS) Deployment – Wilks-Barre, PA

On September 17, 2011, I was deployed along with 40 other people from the state of Georgia to the Wilks-Barre, Pennsylvania flood response. I flew out of Albany, GA at 6:00am and arrived in Philadelphia a little after 12 noon. My original deployment assignment was the Canteen Operation Coordinator. My assignment is to coordinate the…

September 19, 2011
Mile Marker: The Tip of the Iceberg

Deuteronomy 29:5 NLT – “For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.” If you are anything like me, reading through Deuteronomy can take the wind out of your sails! If you have not read Deuteronomy 28:57 yet, I would not start my morning devotions with it.…

September 13, 2011
God-pleasers

Galatians 1:10 NLT – “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” God-pleasers Although Paul does not come right out and say it, this is a warning to teachers and preachers of God’s Truth. Before this verse, there is…

September 11, 2011
Understanding God’s Environment

Psalm 36:6 – Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. I have never been a great lover of nature. While I appreciate the beauty and majesty of creation around me, I cannot help but only see dirt. I do not like…

September 1, 2011
The First 10%

Be sure to give to the Lord the best portions of the gifts given to you. (Numbers 18:29 NLT) I find myself thinking during the day, “Am I doing my best?”. With that last project, “did I give it my best effort?” With the last email I wrote, “was I polite enough, thorough enough?” In…

August 22, 2011
From Jeff Goins: Why Taking a Break from Technology is Sometimes Necessary

Why Taking a Break from Technology is Sometimes Necessary. I found this article from Jeff Goins to be very timely in my own situation. Please read his article, but here is some of the high points. Lesson 1: Embrace your surroundings While Jeff was “suffering” through Ireland and I am currently not, the beauty of…

August 16, 2011