Active Deployment Systems Keeping military virus free

The Coronavirus has affected every facet of human life. Masks, six-foot distances, long supermarket lines, the list could go on and on. Now when you do your limited shopping at Ace, Mima’s, H-E-B or Brookshires, cashiers have Plexiglas separating them from customers, even in friendly Wimberley. Life as we know it has changed.

These though are only minor inconveniences when looking at the big picture. The military has to be ready at a moment’s notice to combat aggressive acts around the world in an ever-changing world situation.

How does the military stay healthy and quarantined from the virus? Local company Active Deployment Systems has that responsibility, keeping active personnel virus free and ready to go no matter what.

“We are in San Diego, Texas, New York and South Carolina. We give lots of military the support they need with the U.S. government needing to isolate and quarantine troops,” Simon Elliott, ADS President. New York, with its huge numbers of cases, is the only non-military deployment. Elliott is a 1989 WHS grad and lives with his family in Wimberley.

ADS has answered the call before in calamities, hurricanes and other natural disaster the past decade plus. “We provide a wide range of equipment, mainly laundry, showers, fuel, water, general support…everything except meals.”

San Diego, with its huge military presence, is just one example.

One hundred hours a week became the standard hours employees worked for the deployment around the country. “The challenge of the coronavirus is different. A hurricane affects one or two states, one or two large cities.” He continued. “Crazy logistics, meeting OSHA and CDC standards for gear written in the books, we had to react very quickly. Medical and engineering companies said you need to provide the PPE gear, we had to set up procedures for our equipment.”

Their employees needed to be isolated on the job sites. They couldn’t just “go to Walmart, potentially they could shut down the military and NY operations.” Then there was the “psychological issue. ‘You want me to go to NYC?’ What about their family’s welfare?’”

Employees were put on a 30-day rotation and were asked to stand down if anyone in their family appeared to have the virus, they didn’t have to make a phone call. Just comeback to the job site after 14-day isolation.

Working with a partner, a hotel was acquired for employees and guests were asked to leave. The hotel was thoroughly cleaned and made a “rest and recovery” oasis in the desert, where employees could take a break, sleep in and have a short respite from their duties.

Flying commercial was also a big no-no. A private jet was hired to shuttle around employees. “The risk was weighed, private versus commercial. The threat level was just too big.”

With a job that depends on having the right equipment…(when notified) “six minutes later the all the PPE was gone… now you can’t buy the stuff.”

The understanding that the virus caused problems that were never even thought was realized. “The situation is dramatic. This is history, bigger than 9/11. It’s like a December 8 after Pearl Harbor type of moment.”

Their office operates 24/7 ready at any part of the day or night. Employees working such huge hours will make for huge paychecks.

With the stimulus checks arriving for the employees a new policy was instituted.

“With the government checks, employees were asked to donate all or part of the checks to random people (in need) and ADS will match the amount. There are some cool heartfelt stories. Although it’s not required,” Elliott said.

Of course with any new disaster there is a huge learning curve, with medical knowledge, getting supplies, modifying human behavior at home… “you see how easy it is to screw up… One sick person could put an entire battalion in San Diego in lockdown.”

All in all, ADS’ employees have been above and beyond the call. “They have made tremendous sacrifices to help other people. I truly appreciate and recognize how important the employees are and appreciate their support for the country,” Elliott said.