Deployment for Hurricane Michael Recovery

By CDR Wei Guo

Deployment Team: NIST-B
OPDIV: FDA/CDER/OND/OHOP
Email Address: wei.guo@fda.hhs.gov

1. What is your current assignment in USPHS?

Scientist in FDA working on cancer data analytics and technology transfer.

2. What was the mission of your deployment? (e.g. dates, location, and other pertinent
details)

Hurricane Michael Recovery, Joint Field Office (JFO) Tallahassee, from 6/16–6/27.

3. What was your role during this deployment? What skills (scientific, personal, etc.) did
you use?

Administration/Finance (A/F) Officer for federal employee accountability. Knowledge of disaster recovery, basic data analysis tools, teamwork, and a proactive attitude.

4. Was this your first deployment? Either way, how did you prepare for the deployment,
personally or work-wise?

No, but the first deployment for a recovery mission. Contact the officer to be replaced to get a brief. Prepare to help other team outside A/F.

5. Do you have any advice or “pearls of wisdom” for fellow officers who are being
deployed or are interested in deploying?

Communicate with other teams to understand the whole scope of the mission and offer help.

6. What was the most important thing you learned during this deployment?

Prepare your mind and tool box.

7. What were some of the key challenges that you experienced?

Finding a way to organize and sort the data and write the report to reflect the mission accomplishments in a short time period.

8. What did you enjoy the most (e.g., favorite memory) about this deployment?

Took a weekend to go to Alligator Point, enjoying the beautiful beach while also observing how severely the roads on the beach were damaged by Hurricane Michael.

9. What would you consider to be your major accomplishment stemming from this
deployment?

Helping the team in report writing and data analysis.

10. Were there any classes or trainings that helped you in your deployment?

Yes, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publishing, Photoshop, etc. is always helpful.

11. How was your post deployment/reintegration experience? Was it a smooth transition
back to your daily activities?

Smooth.

12. Please feel free to share anything else regarding your deployment to highlight your

experiences or to increase the readiness of fellow officers.

While deployment duty is time consuming, always take advantage of available facilities to exercise daily and stay hydrated in hot, humid weather.

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