Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D. (April 17, 2019) – Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization, has launched an operation to provide assistance and support to the residents of Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D. following the recent floods. The operation began Wednesday, April 17 and is anticipated to last 14 days.
Working in conjunction with Pine Ridge Reservation authorities, Team Rubicon is conducting Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments of roadways within the area and providing heavy equipment operations to clear debris and help build up the roads – granting better access for first responders and residents of the community. Team Rubicon performs its services at no cost to those affected, thanks to the generosity of donors.
“Team Rubicon as an organization is here to help and serve the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation. We hope this will be the start of a solid relationship to help them recover from the previous flooding and see how we can assist with future responses and allow them to be better prepared in the event of future disasters,” said Korey Schroeder, Team Rubicon’s South Dakota State Administrator. “Team Rubicon hopes to build not only a solid positive working relationship with the Oglala Sioux Tribe, but the other tribes, counties, and cities across South Dakota, so we can continue to serve and help when the time comes and disaster decides to strike. This operation will be key in helping the Oglala Sioux Tribe build up their current road system as well as focusing on access for emergency vehicles to homes of various critical care patients on Pine Ridge Reservation.”
Team Rubicon boasts a 90,000-strong, highly skilled volunteer force that helps communities stabilize and recover after a devastating natural disaster. Since its inception following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Team Rubicon has responded to 325 disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, Florence, and Michael.
Through a strong communications infrastructure supported by our cutting-edge technological solutions, Team Rubicon volunteers efficiently and effectively respond to natural disasters and help families return to their homes as soon as possible. By giving military veteran volunteers the opportunity to continue their service through disaster response, Team Rubicon provides them an avenue to gain a renewed sense of purpose, community, and identity