Katrina Response

MEMBERS OF THE SCHUYLKILL VALLEY EMS STRIKE TEAM RETURN SAFELY FROM THEIR DEPLOYMENT TO NEW ORLEANS

4 Staff members of Schuylkill Valley EMS were deployed to Louisiana in the early morning hours of Saturday September 3rd. Schuylkill Valley EMS is part of the Pa Department of Health Strike Team. Medic 673 returned safely on September 11th, 2005. Crew members put together a video that you can view by clicking below.

Members of the Region 2 Tactical EMS Group SVEMS Staff get Assignments from Incident Commander Dr. Everitt Binns

Medic 673 outside Louis Armstrong Airport Units wait at I-10 On Ramp to Evacuate Patients

News channels had continues coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as members of all levels of emergency services requested help. Members of the Schuylkill Valley EMS Strike team questioned a possible response but didn’t feel they would be called upon. Schuylkill Valley EMS is part of the Pennsylvania EMS Strike team formed after the September 11^th attacks. The team consisting of 10 ALS/BLS ambulances from every Region in the State staffed with 4 personnel consisting of EMT’s, Paramedics, Nurses and Physicians.

As the Labor day weekend approached a phone call from our Regional Council changed everyone’s holiday plans as well as what would prove to be a life changing experience for many of our staff. The Strike team had been deployed for a 4am departure to Louisiana. Stephen Bobella EMT-P (Executive Director), Craig Huntsinger EMT-P (Director of Operations), Shawn Fariello EMT-P and Fred Massa EMT scurried to pack enough equipment to be self sufficient for a minimum of 7 days to a maximum of 14 days.

The SVEMS unit Medic 673 was stocked with equipment that had been purchased over the past 2 years and a sense of excitement came over the staff. This is what we have trained for and now it was time to put our training to work. As the 4am departure time came close word came from our regional council that our mission had changed. What had initially been a response of the entire PA strike team had changed to three regions. A total of 23 vehicles including command vehicles would depart from Harrisburg at 1600 hrs. Units arrived and many providers met for the first time. The Department of Health briefed staff to what our mission would be and finalized some last minute immunizations for staff. By 1700 hrs a convey of ambulances headed South with an estimated arrival time at our staging area to be early Sunday evening. As units approached the Mississippi State Line signs of the destruction of a Hurricane could be seen as trees were twisted from there roots. A sense of calm had filled the air and local travelers would make sure they thanked the convey of Ambulances with a thumbs up or just a friendly wave. The help was needed and greatly appreciated.

The PA team arrived in Lafayette Louisiana at Acadian Ambulance headquarters. We were welcomed with a meal and a briefing on what we could expect. Tired Supervisors expressed their appreciation as it was obvious they had been working long, hard hours. Some Acadian members had lost everything they had owned but still had the passion to help others. Some Acadian professionals hadn’t had a break since the storm hit. The briefing was simple but had substance. The PA team would staff the airport and Acadian units, assisting with one of the largest triage centers for the storm. “Be prepared to triage 1000 patients per hour” stuck in all of our heads. “Get a good night sleep tonight because tomorrow morning you will be put to work”. Acadian had made arrangements with local fire stations to put PA staff members up for the night. The Lafayette FD treated all of us like brothers and sisters giving up their beds and cooking us a full southern breakfast as we awoke. Nothing was mentioned by mouth but you could see it in their eyes that they knew what we were in for.

We arrived back at Acadian ambulance and were told that we had to expedite our response to the City of New Orleans. Equipment that took hours to pack was unloaded onto pallets with-in 15 minutes. The 2 hour response ended at the Louis Armstrong Airport. An airport that would bring holiday travelers was now a large resource unit with evacuees poring into the airport via bus, ambulance, and air. Patients were triaged and sent to DMAT teams that would provide treatment and prepare the patients for transport to hospitals throughout the State. Ambulances lined the busy departure alley as helicopters landed unloaded and took off again to rescue others. At times 14 helicopter could be counted unloading patients. DMAT teams told us of the horror they had faced days before our arrival with 40,000 people requiring assistance. The Pennsylvania Strike Team lead by Everitt Binns set up a command structure that would later prove to be the smoothest ambulance operation since the storm. DMAT Team leaders commented on how efficient the PA teams operation was run and by the end of the week Pennsylvania had control of the airport, handling all 911 services for the airport and providing service to various government departments that were located at the airport. The Texas DMAT team nicknamed our group “The PA EMS Cavalry”. The strong sense of Incident command ensured that the chaotic scene ran smoothly and more importantly the safe return of all of our staff.

Staff was subjected to long work hours under high stress. At times units were sent into the different parishes to assist Military personnel with rescuing victims who were still trapped by the flood waters. Patients were brought by boats to awaiting ambulances. Although Medical Care was a top priority staff members completed many humanitarian missions. The PA team was able to reunite families that had been split apart after the flood as well as find time to coordinate a quick birthday party for a 1 year old whose family had lost everything. Staff blew up rubber gloves, received a cake from the American Red Cross, and pooled money together to give the Mother $500.00 towards a new start. What ended up being a week deployment seemed to have been drawn out to a month. Initially crews had worked 36+ hours and by the end of the week were down to 12 hour rotating shifts. Time off was spent sleeping in the baggage area of the airport. 3-4 hours of sleep was welcomed by responders who not only gave their knowledge and skill but the hearts to the people of New Orleans.

Many lessons have been learned from our week deployment, both professionally and personally. The Residents of New Orleans would come out of being in that water after 5 days and would thank us for our help. Sometimes a firm hug was all the treatment they needed and other required rapid Advanced Life Support care. The PA Department of Health and each region should be proud of what they have accomplished. Groups of well trained personnel that have never worked together came together under a strong Incident Commander and accomplished what many said would never happen.

ATTENTION COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:
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