I spent a couple of weeks on state active duty in order to assist in the hurricane response, primarily in Hoboken. The city was swamped, with storm surge flooding out major infrastructure, leaving many to shelter in place in cold dark high rise buildings. Our mission was to rescue residents trapped by high water, then to support the city, FEMA, and the multiple civilian and volunteer agencies in assisting these sheltered residents. Though tempers could flare from all sides due to frustration, seeing the community pull together, especially during a election week, was heartening. We definitely learned some lessons on how to continue to improve responses to a civil disaster. DVIDS video below:http://www.dvidshub.net/video/161800/serve-and-protect#.UKUOdqWr80s
Social media definitely came into play during my mission. A resident came to ask if there was anything we could do to help her contact her 90 year old grandmother in law living on Coney Island. They had not been able to contact her since the beginning of the storm. It was a long shot that I could do anything, but I took the information and told her no promises. I used Facebook messenger to contact a friend in Afghanistan who’s civilian job back home is as a logistics planner for the NYC Office of Emergency Management. I was looking only for a reference as to who I could pass the info on to, but within an hour she had made contact with her friends back in the city, and within 2 hours we had the grandmother on the phone with her family. She was OK, just in the dark, and the family was relieved. All the while I was trying to find a way to maintain consistent communication with my Battalion HQ 40 miles away while in a satellite canyon where my FBCB2 wouldn’t catch signal, and with an insufficient antenna group to get radio range. Cell phone towers inconsistent, power inconsistent, Facebook saved the day. S6 should work that into the PACE plan. First person account from the resident: http://womensworkoutdaily.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/power-is-finally-restored-update/
Random other clips:
http://www.dvidshub.net/video/159891/underwater-hoboken-residents-rescued#.UKUT2qWr80s
Patrick's Thoughts 
Patrick, I personally would like to thank you for your service and more importantly your help as it was my Grandmother you looked to help. I too placed this on my Facebook page and it received MANY “likes” and praises from my friends. This will remain one of the best social media experiences I have ever encountered. Thank you again, good luck, stay safe!
I second that. I have only lifted people’s spirits after telling this story.
Wow, first comments, and they are positive! I was just glad to be able to help. Kristen was psyched to be able to assist, it was (and is) hurting her greatly that she is not here to do her part for the people of NYC. She is a true believer, and doing her third deployment to Afghanistan. When you walked in I didn’t want to say there was nothing I could do, but honestly that is how I felt, especially after the first 36 hours. Just so tired, but the connection lifted the spirits and I was ready for another 48! Thanks again for your support.