OPPOrtunity: CAT man.

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley) 02/06/2019 at 15:14 • Filed to: None

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I have been asked if I want to join the “Catastrophe Team” or CAT team for short. The money is fantastic, but I have to be ready to deploy anywhere in the world for most of the year within 24 hours to respond to natural disasters. It is tempting, but I also like routine/being in my own bed/home/cars.

It would also be a good opportunity to get out to places I would not otherwise go, albeit during a disaster.  

What would you do? 

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:17

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If you’re not tied down to anything I say do it. It sounds like a great opportunity and even if you only do it for a few years probably will look great on the resume.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:19

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So, like SEAL team 6 but without all the fighting and killing ?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 02/06/2019 at 15:19

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I would keep my current role, you just get added to the roster for a years commitment.

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:20

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If you were ever going to do it, now would be the time before the family grows.  What does the wife think?

DipodomysDeserti > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:21

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If I didn’t have kids I would definitely do it. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:22

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I did training for FEMA response team (I’m a civil engineer) and never got called once. The upside was I got to spend a week in Arlingtion VA and played tourist everyday after class.

So I would research to see how often you would actually get called.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 02/06/2019 at 15:22

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I doubt I will be rappelling from helicopters, but yeah, the Seal Team 6 of insurance.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:23

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Sounds tough but cool. Do it, something to add to your resume.

CalzoneGolem > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:24

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I couldn’t do this because of kids. Also my wife wouldn’t appreciate it.

It sounds like it could be interesting and look great on a resume.

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:25

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That sounds like a blast. I would definitely try it

Azrek > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:26

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What organization? Is it FEMA/DHS or a private corp?

I did some rescue stuff in FL for a bit and one of my Certs expired before Hurricane Irma. My entire downtown had 4 volunteers to help out and they debated if they wanted to use me or not...it was pretty silly. And now it is tough to get back on a rescue team. 

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:26

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Talk with your wife about it to see how it meshes with your plans . I’d say go for it, but you also know that I apparently don’t care about regular work hours.

On the plus side, “anywhere in the world” means “not driving a Forte to work”.

kanadanmajava1 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:26

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That does sound very interesting. My current job is quite good but I would be very tempted in your situation.

But what are you expected to do in the disaster zone? Take pictures and  document or fix things/people?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Azrek 02/06/2019 at 15:27

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Private. Adjusting claims, not... doing anything helpful

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB 02/06/2019 at 15:27

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Lol true

benjrblant > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:28

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We’ve got a family friend that does this for an insurance company. She really enjoys it and it sounds like it pays very well, but she intentionally has very few possessions to support this career choice. She lives by herself and is constantly moving to where she is needed.

I think it would be more difficult if you had numerous cars, a house, a significant other/family, etc, but it’s a very personal decision and depends a lot on you.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:28

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I would do that in a heartbeat, but I also don’t have a wife or kids.

Azrek > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:28

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Ahh...sounds like a solid job to be. I like travel. 

wafflesnfalafel > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:28

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I f your body and family situation can handle it, CAT team duty can be fun, exciting and rewarding...  But it’s absolutely not for everybody - you gotta like it.

Cash Rewards > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:30

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How often would you likely be deployed?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Cash Rewards 02/06/2019 at 15:33

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Once or twice a year.  For 2 months a time

PartyPooper2012 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:34

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I would... Actually, if you don’t I can haz?

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:35

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I would talk to my Wife, haha.

Seriously that is going to be a big change, the on call, drop of the hat life isn’t easy. I did it for 85 days during the 2017 fires and it takes a few years to get back to normal- not watching the phone, not making any plans more than an hour ahead, ever being able to enjoy an adult bevy is hard to do if you are expecting to run out the door..

IMO; money is good, but you’ve got a pretty good thing set up now..

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:37

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Depends on the level of “fantastic” money. Having done a lot of on call rotations which are kind of like rapid response teams in some ways, I can tell you you can’t keep t hat shit up forever.

I think the decision is easier with a couple of things

1. Goals for getting in and getting out

2. Your wife’s feedback

3. Fuck you money in 5 years is worth it but track the cost to mind and body

4. Ensure proper insurance coverage (for any and all circumstances) 

facw > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:37

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Depends on you life plans of course, and what your wife thinks, but it seems like it would be interesting to do, and if you’re planning to have kids at some point, it will be much harder to get that experience then.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:37

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You are young (I think?), and married with no kids, right?

I would say do it, especially if it is only a year commitment at a time. I think you are in the perfect situation for a job like this. You are already settled down so you wont miss out on meeting your soulmate (I hate that word). You aren’t missing your kids growing up. And you are young enough not to worry about kids for a while. Plus, the extra pay would always help the savings for any future plans.

Obviously talk to the wife first and make sure it doesn’t interrupt your 5/10 year plans.

(I am young( ish) and single so definitely not an authority on life advice)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 02/06/2019 at 15:38

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27, yeah. No kids, married 6 years, so pretty secure on that part

PyramidHat > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:39

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Single and young? Sure.

What org is this?  

BJ > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:41

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Make sure you discuss an exit plan from the team. Get the terms in writing. Be honest that you’re unsure if it will fit your lifestyle, both today and in the future. What if you decide to have kids next year , for example? What if you decide to move to a new city for personal reasons, but this new location makes participation in the danger team impossible for logistical reasons.

Say you try it for 6 months and realise it’s definitely not for you. Your exit plan should cover:

How long are you committed to the team before you can leave (without quitting)? 6 mos, 1 yr, more?

How do you transition back to your previous position, or to another appropriate role? Your previous job will likely have been filled by someone else, remember.

Is this new job a promotion, or does it simply come with bonus/danger pay? If it’s a promotion, leaving means lateral movement or yet another promotion. Promotions are easy, but m ost companies struggle to provide proper demotion channels, so going backwards may be unrealistic.

Once you have this information, you can more easily make the jump. Good luck with whatever you decide!

smobgirl > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:42

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I’d say yes, but the poor insurance folks who get deployed to Denver every time we have a really destructive hailstorm never seem too happy about it. If you’re someone who would make the most of it, go for it!

His Stigness > CB 02/06/2019 at 15:45

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I think the no Forte goes in the Pro column for him. Except the having to pay for it with no vehicle allowance anymore.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > PyramidHat 02/06/2019 at 15:46

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Not single, but youngish. I would not want to name my organization, but we are an independent adjusting firm.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 15:51

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It sounds like a potentially good opportunity. The only 1 year commitment thing gets it done for me. Just make sure you do not have any big trips planned that would get ruined by your 24 hr notice thing.

NKato > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 16:07

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Do it. After spring. 

Cash Rewards > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 16:08

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Oof. Once or twice a year is nothing. Two to four months away requires a conversation with the family. But you'd be doing good work. Food and water is good, but so helping people get back on their feet.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 16:10

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If the money is really good, I would go for it... especially if you have no kids OR the kids are old enough that you can leave them alone without child care.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 16:11

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In your situation, I say go ahead and do it!

The Dummy Gummy > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 16:11

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If you can stand being away from your family and friends, do it. If not don’t.Money isn’t everything. I’ve done two assignments now and I wish I wasn’t away.

To me, life experiences aren’t enjoyable unless I get to share them. 

MrDakka > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 16:20

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Sounds exciting. I would totally jump at the chance. My life needs some action.

MrDakka > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 16:22

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Are you called, ‘ The Adjuster’ ?

TheRealBicycleBuck > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 17:40

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I have been doing disaster recovery work for years. Fortunately, most of the deployments have been short, but my responsibilities have changed and now I’m on a long-term deployment (over a year and counting).

There are a lot of things to consider as others have mentioned. It’s easier for me now that both of my kids are in high school and are more independent. I’m lucky that my deployment is only a few hours drive away from home, so I can go home every weekend.

I’ve kept myself busy while away from home by working on my private pilot certificate. I’ve also worked on my programming skills with a couple of classes. I’m hoping to set up a long-term lease at a condo with a garage so I can work on some bigger projects. We’ll see how that goes over the next few months.

If you are going to take the job , make sure you have opportunity to do some things you want to do while you travel, especially if the assignments are long-term. You will need that outlet for your sanity.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > His Stigness 02/06/2019 at 18:13

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I’d still get that!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > benjrblant 02/06/2019 at 18:14

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yeah, most people that do this are kinda...loner type single people.

gmctavish needs more space > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 18:26

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If I was single I’d do that in a heartbeat. Currently, I don’t know if I would. But it sounds like a really cool opportunity 

His Stigness > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 20:07

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Lucky you! 

Thomas Donohue > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/06/2019 at 20:14

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Go for it. You’ll likely end up in the UK the first week of April.

Just in case, b ring an umbrella and some US dollars in case you need to escape by boat.

(Sorry, I know you said Natural Disasters, but I just got off the phone after a two hour contingency call with a client in Glasgow)

pip bip - choose Corrour > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/07/2019 at 04:35

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what does your wife think of the idea?

Hamtractor > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/07/2019 at 10:43

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I was worked for Belfor from 1998-2006, and then went to work for a hazmat response o utfit for another five years. Everything from Katrina in 2005 to Deepwater Horizon, and a ton of other “lesser” events like tornadoes, train derailments, refinery spills, you name it.  I loved the on-call travel stuff, loved being on the road, but it did eventually ruin my first marriage.  If I could go back and do it all over again, I would have taken one-year commitments with stay local breaks of a few months. I’d say do it.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Hamtractor 02/07/2019 at 11:01

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Were you a PM? Being a restoration guy must be tough

Hamtractor > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 02/07/2019 at 15:35

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Sort of a PM. I was the emergency services coordinator, so I basically showed up a anywhere between 24 and 72 hours before the rest of the crews and resources.  I’d check in with our clients and do an initial assessment of the area and their assets, and then start ordering resources and people to meet the need while working with insurance guys and local folks. A lot of back-of-the -napkin shoring and structural engineering, that kind of stuff.  Same deal on the hazmat stuff, just a tighter response time and longer time on-site.  On that stuff I’d show up, take a hand-off from the local fire guys or .gov agency managing the incident and run it until the end.  That was one of those 30-120 day deployment type gigs, but it was so much fun.  I’ve literally straddled a 5000 gallon tanker of ANFO while drilling a hole in it to suck it empty after in rolled over, I’ve been chest deep in crude oil, rode a cabin cruiser around the Gulf of Mexico monitoring the Deepwater Horizon clean-up efforts, and a thousand other crazy incidents.

Hamtractor > smobgirl 02/08/2019 at 12:31

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Lol, no shit!  I was born and raised there and that was home base when I was doing all of my disaster response and hazmat deployments too.  Those hailstorms are monsters for insurance adjusters.  Sometimes I’d just get assigned to one or two adjusters and just run with them for WEEKS, just going from claim to claim assisting with assessments and creating scopes of work.  12 hours a day, seven days a week, up to two months at a time, but at least I got to go to my own bed every night...