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cajun
navy
foundation
is a dispatch organization,? says gaudet, ?because of today?s technology, we can dispatch citizen groups across the country to rescue, clear debris, whatever is needed.? the
cajun
navy
foundation
assists with disasters far beyond louisiana. using gps and zello, the
cajun
navy
foundation
can dispatch civilian operations across the country. according to sandy reeves, the lead dispatcher and member of the
cajun
navy
foundation
administrative team, ?whenever there is a disaster, the
cajun
navy
is the number one channel on zello.? with the advances in technology, the
cajun
navy
has gone far beyond water rescues. a combination of global communication and a dispatch team, the
cajun
navy
foundation
has coordinated relief efforts with the california wildfires and texas tornadoes. ?we have a very targeted dispatch system so we can send the exact help that is needed. it may be supply teams, debris removal, animal rescue, or chainsaw teams that are needed,? says reeves. beyond the immediate rescue, the
foundation
sees their impact as a major part of recovery. ?citizens are filling the gap. our technology improves collaboration, reduces the cost, and can improve the time it takes to recover,? says gaudet. ?the
cajun
navy
foundation
can help people recover more completely and more efficiently.? in a partnership with local businesses, the
cajun
navy
foundation
has even launched a disaster registry (crowdrelief. net) which is a highly targeted relief effort in which survivors and relief providers are matched. survivors can list the exact items lost, and people can search the list and buy the items directly for the family or individual. again, with the use of technology, the registry includes services for both survivors and those looking to help. the site includes an interactive map with points of distribution, red cross locations, and opportunities to volunteer. the
cajun
navy
foundation
puts boots on the ground, providing help and hope to those in need during a disaster. ? boats launched headed out on rescue missions. despite limited technology and a communication infrastructure that had been damaged, the
cajun
navy
still managed to coordinate efforts. the
cajun
navy
had a major impact on rescue efforts during the 2016 flood in large part because of the improved technology. authorities were still overwhelmed and resources limited, and ?citizens filled the gaps because of technology,? says gaudet. ?people could get on facebook and get help, or find ways to help.? while the name ?
cajun
navy
? conjures up images of civilian boats, there?s actually much more to it. ?the ? t he
cajun
navy
foundation
is rooted in technology. yes, it?s boats, but it?s technology,? says rob gaudet, founder of the
cajun
navy
foundation
. while the
cajun
navy
foundation
is a citizen-led relief effort, it wouldn?t be where it is today without the use of technology. when hurricane katrina devastated areas throughout southeast louisiana, resources were maxed out. there weren?t enough people or resources to meet the demands. it was during this historic event that citizens began filling the gaps where federal and state resources could not. the name, ?
cajun
navy
,? took hold because of the fleets of civilian by melanie forstall lemoine, ph.d.
cajun
navy
foundation
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