Team Hill, local community helps 388th FW family in crisis

  • Published
  • By Andrea V. Mason
  • 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  A major step forward was just taken by a local Air Force family whose home they were renting turned out to be contaminated with methamphetamine.

Tech. Sgt. DuWayne Douthett, his wife Wendy and their two children moved into their home nearly a year ago only to find out in January it contained harmful toxins after their children endured serious health problems.

After a meth test confirmed the house was deemed uninhabitable due to the poisonous fumes remaining in it, the family ended up losing nearly everything including clothes, furniture and kitchenware.

Studies show that meth manufacturers use highly toxic chemicals like benzene, muriatic acid, battery acid, freon and lye. Exposure of these chemicals can cause burns to the skin, eyes, nose and mouth, breathing problems, fatigue, depression, dizziness and, in severe cases, death.

Once the family learned they had to move, the 388th Fighter Wing key spouse program quickly kicked into action. The squadron's key spouse notified Holly Cope, the 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit key spouse. She then shared the family was in desperate need of help with Staci Long, the 388th FW's key spouse mentor and wife of the wing commander, Col. Scott Long.

Long asked Col. Rick LeBlanc, the 388th FW vice commander, to establish a task force to help the Douthett family and ensure their needs were met.

Douthett also contacted his 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) acting first sergeant, Master Sgt. Carrie Morgan, who swiftly guided the family to base lodging, emergency funds and donated gift cards from Operation WarmHeart.

In addition, Morgan referred the family to the medical group and Capt. Eric Frenck from the Area Defense Council for some legal guidance.

Admittedly, it's been a difficult two months for the couple who had moved into temporary base housing after evacuating their home.

At first the couple didn't know where to turn for help when they learned they couldn't live in the home, which they signed more than a four-year lease on.

However, after the military and community heard of the family's hardship, the help and support began cascading in.

Within 24 hours, Team Hill formed the task force with 16 different agencies from across the base to determine how they could best help the family in need.

"The immediate outpouring of Team Hill support was very robust. The day after we learned about the contamination, numerous representatives from across the base joined together at the Airman and Family Readiness Center to establish a way ahead," said LeBlanc.

Lt. Col. Abigail Ruscetta, AMXS commander, and Morgan coordinated various donations throughout the military community as they came forward. Some were from the base's Thrift Store, Airman's Attic, base chapel, members of the 388th FW, AMXS and more.

"The response was immediate, and though our squadron is tenacious, we couldn't have helped the family nearly as much without everyone's overwhelming support. I'm also grateful for the key spouses' quickly helping out in a time of need," said Ruscetta.

The squadron's key spouses joined together and provided evening meals for nearly two weeks. Additionally, they collected donations of furniture, blankets, dishes and appliances to give to the Douthett family.

"It was wonderful to see the families and communities immediately come together," Cope said. "When people know what they need to do to help, they tend to respond immediately to help their Air Force family."

Wendy said that the Falcons, community leaders who once served as 388th FW honorary commanders, provided a donation of nearly $1,500 to assist with the family buying new furniture.
"I'm so thrilled, and it's very comforting for our family to be living in a clean and safe home with new furniture," Wendy said.

The couple expressed gratitude for all the military and community help they've received because, they admit, they couldn't have gone through this alone.

"I certainly have a new appreciation for the military, my leadership and the community who so strongly support the military at Hill Air Force Base," Tech. Sgt. Douthett said.

"Words cannot describe how thankful we are for all the help we've received from the wing, Hill Air Force Base, the Falcons, the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints, family and friends. So many people donated their time, their money and their efforts, and we'll always be grateful for their support," Wendy said.

Wendy said she's been so inspired by the outpour of community support that she'd like to possibly establish an organization to help those who experience similar grief after learning their homes are contaminated by meth.

"It's too often that sellers or renters aren't forced to unveil previous drug activity or if the home was a meth lab. I'd like to help see that a meth-contaminated house is disclosed to buyers or renters before they move in," she said.

Since the family has moved out, the children's health has improved tremendously and they go to the doctor much less often.

"We're thankful the crisis is behind us, and now we can move forward," Wendy said.

"This is truly a wonderful ending to a tragic event that goes to show, again, just how phenomenal our community is," Ruscetta said.

Long said he and his wife are extremely proud of the Airmen, spouses and civic leaders' quick response.

"The teamwork and tenacious response by everyone was second to none. This is what it truly means to help Airmen and their families. We have a great Team here at Hill AFB, who love to help one another," he said.