| Rolyn Disaster Recovery/Restoration |

Case Study: Six-Story Hospital

Location: New Orleans, LA

Loss: Hurricane Damage

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. Rolyn’s emergency response team was called in by a New Orleans hospital group to mitigate damages sustained during the storm. As the eye of the storm passed, Rolyn personnel and equipment were at the city limits, stranded by flood waters. To reach the first site, the project manager rode part of the way in a local’s boat, negotiated with the National Guard for access, and even swam the last mile.

The six-story facility had lost all power and utilities and the first floor was flooded with four feet of water. The helipad was also under water making air rescue and evacuation impossible. Rolyn established a temporary helipad by painting landing strips on an undamaged section of the roof.

Restoring power from the emergency generator was a challenge. The generator and diesel fuel tank were above the flood waters, yet the fuel pumps were submerged, making them inoperable. Within two hours, Rolyn workers transported three hundred gallons of fuel in buckets up six flights of stairs to reach the generator. This facility was the first on the east side of New Orleans to have power restored. Supplying power was a critical component in keeping patients alive, charging communication devices, and heating up food.

Rolyn arranged for tankers to bring fresh water to the hospital daily. Broken windows and roof damage were stabilized using a shrink-wrap process to seal the building. Salvageable hospital equipment and contents were relocated to prevent further damage. Confidential medical records were transferred off site in compliance with HIPAA. Rolyn arranged for security fencing and off-duty policemen to protect the facility from looting.

Rolyn set up temporary kitchen facilities, restrooms, showers, washers, and dryers. Food delivery from Houston was established. The hospital was the only place on the east side of New Orleans where hot food was available. As the hospital was being dried out and cleaned, relief workers and National Guardsmen made it their home. Veterans Affairs and other first aid groups set up operations there to help those affected by the hurricane.

Due to Rolyn’s preparation, determination, and quick response, the hospital was one of the first habitable structures in damaged New Orleans. Patients and residents were rescued using the impromptu landing pad. The hospital’s roof was restored, necessary demolition took place, and the building was cleaned and dried. Thanks to Rolyn’s efforts, basic operational functions were restored withinthirty days.