This week, we bring you two stories from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, one from a native Louisianian scientist and the other from a fourth-generation Louisiana fisherman. 

Part 1: Louisianan scientist Estelle Robichaux struggles to deal with the massive oil spill affecting her state while also balancing personal problems.

Part 2:  When Lousiana fisherman Robert Campo receives news of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, he knows his life is about to change.

Estelle Robichaux, a native Louisianian, is a senior restoration project analyst at Environmental Defense Fund. A broadly-trained scientist with a passion for wetlands conservation and restoration, Estelle has a background in natural and social sciences as well as extensive experience in science education. Her field and research background spans wetlands, marine environments and wildlife, from Costa Rica to South Africa to South Caicos. Estelle advocates for the implementation of science-based restoration projects and leads project-related efforts for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. Estelle also works on science communication and tracking the development of scientific and research programs in the wake of the Gulf oil disaster.

Robert Campo is the owner of Campo's Marina located in Shell Beach, Louisiana.  He's a fourth generation commercial fisherman and the great-grandson of the late Celestino Campo, the founder of Campo's Marina started in 1903.  He's the grandson of the late Frank Blackie Campo (a true legend) and the son of Frank J. Campo Jr.  Campo's Marina is the oldest family-owned business in St.Bernard parish and it's one of the top ten oldest family owned businesses that still exists today in Louisiana.  He owns and operates his oyster business with two oyster boats and a farm of nearly 1500 acres of oyster grounds.

Oil: Stories from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

I spoke by phone with Dr. Olivia A. Scriven at FEMA’s headquarters in Washington, DC. Dr. Scriven serves as the Academia Advisor for FEMA’s National Disaster Recovery Support (“NDRS”) cadre. Dr. Scriven has leveraged her background and experience to launch an initiative to link communities impacted by Hurricane Michael – a Category 5 storm which devastated the Florida Panhandle -- with technical expertise from colleges and universities to support long-term recovery. These efforts range from dual-use resiliency centers designed to support large-scale community gatherings during “blue skies” and serve as hardened shelters able to withstand catastrophic winds in times of disaster.  Dr. Scriven continues to consult nationally, is regularly invited to serve on peer-review panels for the NSF, and her research exploring historically Black colleges and universities and pioneering African American women in the U.S. scientific enterprise has appeared in books published by Oxford University Press and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.  Dr. Scriven earned the master’s and doctoral degree in the history and sociological studies of science and technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  She also holds a master’s in Educational Communication and Technology from New York University, where she also earned the bachelor’s degree.  

She and I spoke about this program and the role project management methods and techniques play in engaging local communities and managing expectations. More info about FEMA’s assistance in the recovery following Hurricane Michael can be found at: https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2019/10/08/hurricane-michael-one-year-later-federal-aid-panhandle-nears-19b

E4 - Engaging Local Communities- Olivia Scriven, FEMA NDRS Recovery Support Crew Lead

Emergency management is a growing discipline as our world has become increasingly more complex, interconnected, and vulnerable to hazards both natural and human caused. The role of the emergency manager, including leaders in public safety, has expanded and become more vital to cities, counties, states, and large organizations, and much of this work can be contained and effectively managed within projects, be they longer term plans,  disaster recovery, mitigation measures or short-term emergency responses to a disaster. This podcast series focuses on project management topics for emergency managers. Come with us as we ride the wave!

E4 - Engaging Local Communities- Olivia Scriven, FEMA NDRS Recovery Support Crew Lead

Andrew Boyarsky

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