FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS – What would you do if a monkey climbed in your window while you were sleeping, turned on your bathtub, and flooded your house? These are pressing questions for elementary school kids if your community has flooded recently.
When you hear the words “staff meeting,” you might not break into song, but that’s exactly what seventeen students from Shady Oak Primary School did when they visited the Fort Bend County Emergency Operations Center during the Office of Emergency Management’s weekly staff meeting.
The After School Choir Club, led by their Director Ellen Graham and the Art Director Stevie Ballow, visited the Fort Bend County EOC Monday morning, presenting cookies and singing an arrangement of Born on Christmas Day.
Also present were judge-elect KP George his Chief of Staff, Taral Patel.
The students from Shady Oak chose the Office of Emergency Management to be recognized during their “Week of Giving,” a time when they give to those in need and show appreciation for community organizations which serve the public. Often times the service of the Emergency Operations Center staff and volunteers are overlooked, but a long-term partnership with Shady Oak means that students and parents from that school are well aware of the sacrifices made by this office, even as recently as last Friday night for the anticipated rain and flooding.
“We’re honored to be recognized by these students” said Jeff Braun, Emergency Management Coordinator for Fort Bend County, “we all take some pride in our work of coordinating and informing during disasters, and it is exciting whenever the community notices the hard work of our staff. Thank you, Shady Oak Primary After School Choir Club for your recognition and the gift of your cookies and terrific singing.”
Alan Spears, Deputy Emergency Management, led the students on a tour of the Emergency Operations Center and answered many of the students questions about the services provided by our office, and questions about being prepared for disasters. Oh, and what about that flood-monkey? “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for you,” Spears responded, “I don’t think there are any zoos nearby.”
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