In the heart of Baltimore, Kimberly Matthews, a design manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District stands at the forefront of disaster mitigation efforts, orchestrating a seamless coordination between USACE engineers and architectural engineering firms. With a recent full-scale training operation conducted in early March as a foundation, Matthews and her team applied their honed tactics and procedures in a real-world scenario, tackling challenges head-on.
Matthews, a native of Baltimore, is no stranger to the importance of collaboration, and she is deeply impressed by the level of cooperation among various agencies and skilled workers involved in the disaster mitigation effort.
"There are ups and downs with every disaster mitigation effort; however—this Unified Command is exactly that, unified," said Matthews. Speaking on her role, Matthews emphasized the criticality of her position in ensuring effective communication and synergy between engineering teams and architectural contractors, essential for the success of the operation.
Central to this approach is the recognition that no single agency can tackle such a monumental task alone. Instead, a diverse array of stakeholders joined forces to form a cohesive team. The progress made each day was tangible, with the dynamics of the operation growing stronger with every passing moment.
While office-bound colleagues may lack direct visibility into the frontline operations, Matthews finds herself uniquely positioned to witness the tangible progress and accomplishments through live feed videos, photos, and meetings.
“These glimpses into the ongoing efforts on the ground and in the water offer me a direct sense of pride in my job and mission,” said Matthews. What set this response apart from other is its emphasis on steady, precise action. Rather than setting unrealistic benchmarks, the focus remained on ensuring the safety of all involved and minimizing the potential for errors.
"The opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of our work is truly gratifying," said Matthews. "It underscores the significance of our mission and reinforces our commitment to serving our community in times of need."
Despite the many hours away from home, her family expresses their pride in knowing she was part of the response.
"Overall, I’m impressed with how we have come together and love that I can see the progress from one day to the next,” said Matthews.