Polson native hunkers down in New Orleans City Hall

NEW ORLEANS — As the aftermath of Katrina continues to take its toll, a 2001 Polson High graduate is doing his part from New Orleans' City Hall to help those in need.

Brad Wolf, who recently graduated from college with degrees in information systems security and computer network management is getting his baptism by fire, so to speak. Right now Wolf is living in New Orleans City Hall with several hundred other people. He sleeps on a cot in the computer room. When he isn't communicating with information technicians, coordinating communication satellites and setting up phone lines and resetting phone numbers he is able to catch a few z's.

"Every minute I'm doing some sort of task," Wolf said. "There is so much work that I am doing that helps so many people, directly and indirectly."

Wolf's efforts are essential in helping maintain the city's communication infrastructure. He helped establish a headquarters for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and set up a communication line for National Guard so they can order fuel for generators.

"I'm right up there in the heat of battle setting up these systems," he said.

However, he also steps outside his job description and directly helps those in need of rescue. The company that he works for, GBprotect Inc., came to New Orleans in August as part of a subcontract with another company to work on the city's communication technology. When disaster struck, GBprotect decided to stay put and assist where they could.

"It is [Wolf's] decision to stay here," said his boss Kelly Dowell. "We had the opportunity to get out but we decided to help run the system."

They set up a help-line at City Hall to coordinate rescue personnel with those in need. Wolf answers many of those calls.

"When that phone rings I never know what it is going to be and I need to be ready" he said — sometimes that means dealing with people struggling to be rescued.

When a 16-year-old girl called, she was in a house with 25 people and water was rising rapidly. Wolf was able to direct rescuers to her location. When a man called, suicidal about his situation, Wolf was able to put him in touch with people who could help him.

Wolf admitted that things can get downright crazy, however he doesn't let that distract him from doing his job.

"When I take a call I jut have to do what I need to do," he said. "I just focus on the task at hand. I don't focus on the destruction around me."

The destruction is right outside the front door of City Hall. Wolf said that he has not stepped foot outside since the hurricane wreaked its havoc. Looking outside the window, Wolf said he could see the city streets under two to three feet of water. When the hurricane hit, Wolf saw the roof of the Superdome flapping in the wind.

"During the heart of the storm, the main power grid turned off. All service systems rebooted. It was pitch black. Alarms were screaming," he said. "It was like something you'd see in an IT person's nightmare."

Wolf considers himself fortunate to stay day and night in City Hall.

"It's one of the better places to be located," he said. "We have all the key personnel here. We're getting a good stream of water and MRE's (meals ready to eat.) I eat about one MRE a day, but it's enough."

Dowell explained that Wolf's work has earned him many accolades from city officials.

"He has weathered the pressure really well," Dowell said. "In the course of this, he has turned out to be a good network engineer. [Wolf] has gained a lot of maturity in a short amount of time."

Dowell said that he makes sure Wolf calls his mom everyday.

"I know that through the work I'm doing, I'm saving lives," Wolf said.