Some have been schooled in the fundamentals of emergency management. Some are pursuing careers in nursing. Others just saw their neighbors in need and took immediate action.
Whatever their station in life, Arkansas Tech University students were there for the people of central Arkansas and Wynne in the days following the March 31 tornado outbreak in Arkansas.
“No picture can properly convey the scale of what is happening,” said John Hiland, an ATU emergency management student from Greenbrier. “Whether it’s the amount of damage done or the number of people who are out there helping in response, the scale of the damage and the response is amazing. I didn’t recognize that until we went. It was eye opening.”
Within four days of the tornadoes touching down, the ATU Department of Emergency Management organized an informational session that connected interested individuals with volunteer opportunities. Session attendees learned how to volunteer their services and resources through organizations such as the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Arkansas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and others.
Soon after that meeting, ATU emergency management students were on the ground in Wynne.
Field experience gained by ATU emergency management students included working with residents to gain liability waivers so volunteers could assist in clean-up on their property, coordinating with sawyers to clear downed trees in order to re-open roadways and re-establish electrical service and helping residents preserve their personal belongings.
“I didn’t think there was any way I would go into the field until after I graduated,” said Noel Haas, an ATU emergency management student from Salida, Colo. “We went at the spur of the moment and created plans so quickly. Seeing the people and the community members trying to do everything they can in any way they can…people were trying to give whatever they could.”
The people giving in Wynne also included students from the ATU student organization Do Something.
They conducted a campus and community drive to collect needed items during the week after the tornadoes and delivered them to relief organizations in Wynne on Friday, April 7.
“The pictures of the affected area don’t really capture what happened in Wynne,” said Olivia Johnson of Pottsville, who is a Do Something member and junior ATU digital marketing student. “Yes, they show the damage, but what they can’t show is the emotion in the air when driving through the damage and seeing people dig through the rubble. While it was very shocking to see the extent of the damage up close, it was also heartwarming to see how the community responded to the tragedy. When we arrived in the morning, volunteers were gathered on every corner.”
ATU Do Something members volunteered to pack lunches for local citizens, response personnel and anyone else who needed a meal.
“We must’ve packed and served hundreds of meals to volunteers alone,” said Johnson. “Even though Wynne was hit by a tragedy, they are still strong and have a great support system behind them. The most amazing part of volunteering in the area was meeting the people from and volunteering in Wynne. Everybody was so kind and working toward a common cause. I met so many amazing people from across Arkansas, even a few people who live near ATU. Even surrounded by tragedy, everyone kept a good spirit and worked to create happiness in the midst of mourning.”
ATU sophomore Synthia Hale of Russellville also represented Do Something in Wynne. She recalls gasping at crumpled buildings and flipped chimneys as they drove into town.
“It was hard not to gape at the surroundings while driving over the rubble-covered road,” said Hale, who is majoring in biology with the biomedical option and psychology. “The worst of it was definitely the school. We could see how the tornado shredded it, leaving only the bleachers and school sign untouched.
“One family drove over to get food and their vehicle’s windows were completely gone with the front windshield all busted,” continued Hale. “I was worried for their safety on the road, but it was brought to my attention they didn’t have a choice. It was their only way of providing food for their family in that moment. That reality was hard to digest because we couldn’t do anything more than what we were, and we all wanted to just bring some ease and love to their lives.”
Even amid that devastating scene, Hale was buoyed by the humanity she saw all around her.
“The clean-up crews in all yellow looked tired, and yet they were very kind and thankful to me when I would hand out their food,” said Hale. “It made me feel both happy and sorrowful because I was helping, but I wished I could have done more. It reinforced my desire to take action when I can help others.”
ATU sophomore social studies education student and Do Something member Kadance Lane walked away with a similar response.
“It felt like we were actually making a difference,” said Lane, who is from Malvern. “I know that is what everyone says, but we were able to bring our campus and the community together in order to get these resources for people who needed help. It was an amazing experience, although busy, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
As those affected by the storms continue to clean up and point ahead to rebuilding, ATU emergency management student Melissa Snizek of Russellville believes their greatest resource will be the most renewable one of all: hope.
“You can’t quantify hope, but it’s everywhere and you see it every time you talk to someone,” said Snizek, who held a leadership role in the Wynne recovery effort. “It becomes fuel for the soul. You can’t get enough of it. You want to do more so you can give that hope to someone else.”
