Travel Date: (only one travel day to and one day from is authorized)

Reporting Time: 8 AM

Reporting Location     **USACE Recovery Field Office (RFO)**

                                    1900 N. Lobdell Avenue

                                    Baton Rouge, LA 70806

                                      

This is an *in-processing unit* and you will be given your assignment
location (usually in the New Orleans or Metairie area) and any required
training at this time.  

If you plan to arrive in Baton Rouge the day before you are scheduled to
report, please call the RFO at [225-218-1324]{.underline} or
[225-218-0315]{.underline} to request sleeping accommodations. If you
arrive before 12 noon, you will be "in-processed" that day and sent out
to your worksite. **VERY IMPORTANT: If the RFO arranges for your hotel
stay for your first night, please be obtain the hotel name and
confirmation number from the RFO before you deploy!**

The RFO is open from 7:00 AM until 7:30 PM Central Standard Time (CST),
7 days a week. Please do not attempt to check in after 6:00 PM, wait
until the next day. During in-processing, sleeping accommodations will
be made by the USACE staff for the duration of your assignment.

Be sure to bring your USDA ID Badge and a valid driver's license with
you.

**[Travel Information]{.underline}**

You **must have a government issued travel card**. Please be sure your
Agency Program Coordinator increases your Option Set (spending limits)
to the "Mission Critical" status.

Your Agency is responsible for issuing your government travel orders. At
a minimum, the following amounts should be authorized:

Common Carrier (Airfare) \$(depends on your origin)

Per Diem (New Orleans) for 30 days

(\$133/Lodging and \$59 M&IE) \$5,760

Car Rental (\$45/day X 30 days) \$1,350

Miscellaneous \$1,000

The *Common Carrier* amount will vary depending on the cost of your
airfare. You are authorized only one travel day to the RFO and one day
to return to your official duty station.

***NEW INFORMATION***: You CANNOT drive your POV to/from the deployment
site as you are required to obtain a rental car while you are there. If
you and your supervisor determine driving a vehicle to and from
Louisiana is the most advantageous method of transportation, you must
rent a vehicle at your duty station and drive to the RFO. This method of
transportation must be included on your travel authorization and
approved by your supervisor.

The *Per Diem* amount may be higher depending on the accommodations
costs (if other lodging is not made available by the USACE) and this may
need to be adjusted after arrival. The M&IE may need to be adjusted if
meals are provided. A minimum of 30 days at the rate above must be
authorized.

The *Car Rental* is an estimate only*. Everyone must have their own
vehicle.* Renting a vehicle is necessary for this assignment and you
must have a valid driver's license. If your Travel Management Center
cannot obtain a rental vehicle for you, please call Avis Car Rental to
make these arrangements. This is the rental service being used by the
USACE. Please contact Kevin at 225-355-4721.

The *Miscellaneous* expense includes laundry and telephone expenses;
travel management center fees; gas for rental vehicle; purchase of
supplies; vaccinations, and other necessary expenses while deployed.
Purchases of clothing (jeans, shirts, undergarments, etc.) made during
your stay are not reimbursed as these are considered personal expenses.

Your Agency will process all travel vouchers. Please keep track of your
expenses and keep copies of **all** receipts to attach to your voucher.
You may choose to submit a travel voucher every two weeks, check with
your Agency for filing requirements.

**[Medical Clearance Form]{.underline}**

**The Medical Clearance Form must be completed and verified prior to
reporting to the RFO**.  To expedite this process, these forms should be
downloaded
(<http://www.usda.gov/oo/beprepared/hurricanevolunteers.htm>); completed
and signed by the employee; and faxed to the Gulf Coast Volunteer
Hotline at 202-720-8776. 

We will work with the USDA Medical Doctor to obtain clearance and
provide you an approved certification by e-mail (or fax). *You must take
this with you when you report to the RFO.*

Anyone working on Debris Removal must have the tetanus, Hepatitis A and
B vaccinations. BRING A COPY OF YOUR SHOT RECORDS WITH YOU TO THE RFO.
If at all possible, please obtain these vaccinations prior to your
departure.

Vaccinations are reimbursable. Please keep these receipts and submit the
expenses on your travel voucher. You will be reimbursed by your Agency.
The RFO will cannot reimburse you upon arrival.

**[Hours of Work]{.underline}**

Your normal workday will begin at 6:00 AM and end around 6:30 PM (30
minute unpaid meal time included). You will be working seven days a
week, including holidays. You will be paid overtime for any hours worked
in excess of the 8 hour work day. You will be paid Overtime with Night
Differential for time worked after 6:00 PM.

Hourly overtime rates for your locality can be found at the OPM Website:
<http://www.opm.gov/oca/06tables/indexGS.asp>

**You will be required to complete USACE Emergency Operations Time and
Attendance Sheets while deployed.** Your Agency will be processing your
Time and Attendance Sheets and the Emergency Operations T&A's must be
faxed to your timekeeper for overtime to be recorded on your T&A.

Please be sure you know the fax number to send these back to your
office.

**[What you should bring]{.underline}**

You can check the weather conditions at
[www.weather.com](http://www.weather.com/) to determine what additional
clothing you may need to take with you when you report. A New Orleans
zip code to use is 70123 (if you choose to search by zip).

The USACE will provide a hard hart (if required) and rain or other
protective gear. You will also be provided with a "goody bag" of
sunscreen, bug repellant and other miscellaneous items you may need
during your stay.

We will mail USDA t-shirts to Jovette Graham of the Debris Office in New
Orleans. We will be sending three short-sleeved t-shirts, one
long-sleeved t-shirt, and a sweatshirt.

You must bring the following with you when you report:

Steel-toed work boots

Government Travel Card

Valid Driver's License

Long pants and long sleeve shirts

Emergency Contact Information

> Your medical clearance
>
> Your personal vaccination records
>
> Chargers for personal/work cell phones -- may want to bring a car
> charger

You may want to bring a back pack, snacks, and alarm clock.

***VERY IMPORTANT! Work Boots are not provided. Steel- toed boots are
required. You [must]{.underline} purchase work boots prior to reporting
for duty. This is a reimbursable item and should be included on your
travel voucher. Please keep your receipt as it must be included with
your travel voucher.***

**[EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION]{.underline}** 

Please leave this emergency number with your family.

The following number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

**USDA Operations Center**

**1-877-677-2369 or 202-720-5711**

USDA personnel at will contact the US Army Corps of Engineers RFO in
Louisiana and relay a message.

*Please Note: USACE RFO is closed between 7:30 PM and 7:00 AM CST.*

**Only life and death or illness emergencies will be forwarded to RFO
"on-call" personnel during these hours.**

**[Check the Website Periodically for Updates]{.underline}**

Check the website periodically for more information:

<http://www.usda.gov/oo/beprepared/HurricaneReliefVolunteers.htm>

*Have a safe trip and thank you for volunteering!*