Saving lives after Hurricane Katrina
Prisoners at a maximum security prison had taken over the prison. People in the Superdome had begun to kill each other. Civilians had started shooting at police and EMTs and firemen.
With these news reports and rumors pouring in - many of which later turned out to be false - safety became a concern.
Now those helping needed protection.
"There's nothing scarier than seeing a fireman with a gun," said Saussy as the audience laughed.
More seriously, she explained why she thought these incidents happened. "I don't believe they were shooting at the people who were trying to help them. They were shooting so that people knew where they were," Saussy said.
Throughout this struggle for survival, rescue workers were continually looking for more help and more resources.
Saussy gave a humorous example of this when she showed a picture of a postal truck with EMS scrawled on the side. "I don't even run red lights, but I hotwired a postal truck for EMS," she said.
With their stolen trucks, Saussy and her fellow workers began helping people again from a base at Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel, located in a nursing home.
She was in charge and her workers looked to her for answers. They had almost no supplies and many didn't know if their families were OK.
All Saussy could say was she knew they had food and that they had to do their jobs.
"Part of being a public servant is recognizing your limits as a human being. You don't get magical qualities," she said.
In the end, there was hope, which came in the form of six emergency helicopters that Saussy called "the most glorious sight in the world."
She spoke highly of Lieutenant General Russel Honore, who came to New Orleans and helped coordinate two landing pads so the helicopters could aid in medical assistance.
Soon they began using boats, high-water vehicles and ambulances once again to rescue those in need of medical attention.
Looking back, Saussy felt that the Katrina disaster was as far reaching because there was no decision-making at the time of the crisis.
She outlined the critical mishaps of the event, listing poor communication, no chain of command and no long-term plan as the major problems.
Saussy also stressed the importance of leadership that will make decisions. "There has to be someone in charge," she said.
Her ultimate message was one of inspiration.
"What is it at the end of the day that you want your life to look like? Because if it's for money, glory [or] renown, public service is probably not for you. But if it isn't, I hope you won't let those things deter you," she said.
Saussy was invited to speak by the Institute for Policy Studies as part of their ongoing "Revitalizing Government Services" discussion series. Event co-sponsors included the Center for Public Health Awareness and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
With these news reports and rumors pouring in - many of which later turned out to be false - safety became a concern.
Now those helping needed protection.
"There's nothing scarier than seeing a fireman with a gun," said Saussy as the audience laughed.
More seriously, she explained why she thought these incidents happened. "I don't believe they were shooting at the people who were trying to help them. They were shooting so that people knew where they were," Saussy said.
Throughout this struggle for survival, rescue workers were continually looking for more help and more resources.
Saussy gave a humorous example of this when she showed a picture of a postal truck with EMS scrawled on the side. "I don't even run red lights, but I hotwired a postal truck for EMS," she said.
With their stolen trucks, Saussy and her fellow workers began helping people again from a base at Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel, located in a nursing home.
She was in charge and her workers looked to her for answers. They had almost no supplies and many didn't know if their families were OK.
All Saussy could say was she knew they had food and that they had to do their jobs.
"Part of being a public servant is recognizing your limits as a human being. You don't get magical qualities," she said.
In the end, there was hope, which came in the form of six emergency helicopters that Saussy called "the most glorious sight in the world."
She spoke highly of Lieutenant General Russel Honore, who came to New Orleans and helped coordinate two landing pads so the helicopters could aid in medical assistance.
Soon they began using boats, high-water vehicles and ambulances once again to rescue those in need of medical attention.
Looking back, Saussy felt that the Katrina disaster was as far reaching because there was no decision-making at the time of the crisis.
She outlined the critical mishaps of the event, listing poor communication, no chain of command and no long-term plan as the major problems.
Saussy also stressed the importance of leadership that will make decisions. "There has to be someone in charge," she said.
Her ultimate message was one of inspiration.
"What is it at the end of the day that you want your life to look like? Because if it's for money, glory [or] renown, public service is probably not for you. But if it isn't, I hope you won't let those things deter you," she said.
Saussy was invited to speak by the Institute for Policy Studies as part of their ongoing "Revitalizing Government Services" discussion series. Event co-sponsors included the Center for Public Health Awareness and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
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