Chasers As: First Responders

[Bill Tabor]

I've noticed a trend / concept in the last few years that most in the chase / spotter / media communities have largely ignored. In these last few years as the number of chasers continue to increase, technology has improved, public interest in severe weather has increased, and chasers continue to get closer often the chaser is the first person on the scene of a tornado disaster. Dick McGowan mentions helping out near Greensburg pulling people out of rubble in the REPORTS thread.
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12307

Randy Denzer / Nancy Bose describe the utility of MESO directly on site at Greensburg:
http://www.teammeso.org/Blogger/page2.html

I also recall past events such as Mulvane, where Shane and others have taken the time out of their chase to assist those in need.

I think this is a great concept, and of immense value much the way the spotter network is very important in ground truth. Often times the nearby chaser is the only one immediately at ground zero that may have a working vehicle that can help haul injured individuals to the safety of nearby hospitals. [Hmm...this also makes me wonder about a chaser's liability from helping out if someone dies or something similar and tries to blame the chaser).

Personally I can see a whole new class of chaser starting up that is really emergency management type folks that love storms, and roam seeking destructive tornadoes, but are also looking out to lend a hand to their fellow man. Certainly this is a noble cause, and those involved in such practices I see as very honorable individuals. I'd like to think that had I been there that night I would have lended a hand.

I guess that reminds me, that I really don't have a lot of First Aid training. Perhaps we all should stop and think about this and what we do. Maybe we should all make the effort to be trained for such assistance so that we can provide it when it is needed and required. I believe even the law requires us to stop and provide assistance when we can.

What do the rest of you think? Have you helped out before? Are you ready, given the opportunity? Are you trained / certified? What training / procedures are recommended in these situations? Etc.

 

[Brent A. Clair]

I am actually a First Responder/Firefighter (very volunteer, not much action) at home, and I usually bring my gear whenever I brave the weather. My friend is a R/C Helicopter pilot which we equipped with a thermal camera that we use in aftermath recovery. When I don't chase I assist with the EM of the county. It's a great feeling to use the degree I worked so hard for to benefit so many others.
As for assisting in first aid efforts, for those not licensed, you fall into the "Good Samariatian" law which basically says that you tried to help. For those of us licensed, we can assist, but only do up to a point and nothing extreme. I mean, we can apply traction, pressure bandages, hold c-collar, but we are just helping, and the locals have the final say in what we can do. But in most cases, if it is a mass casualty incident, they'll appreciate all the help they can get.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

I've seen many chasers like the ones you mention and many others who have helped out when the situation called for it. There's just about too many to try to name, actually. In a case like Greensburg, to me the deciding factor is the limitations of a small community that is relatively cut off from mainstream resources. It's not as simple as the Rescue One team hopping in their techno-geared van and heading in to get people to the hospital. In these little towns, the nearest hospital is often miles away. And what a lot of victims need as much as the medical attention is just someone to talk to about what happened and keep them company until the emergency personnel can get to them. In the experiences I've had, people are generally in a state of shock and they are near panicked, worried about so-and-so over in this part of town, or their mother who lives up north somewhere. There's always someone who could just use a hand from someone else who is not injured and dealing with issues of their own. During times like these it isn't 'getting in the way' to stop and lend a hand and just show some love for your neighbors. That's really all they need sometimes.

 

[Warren Faidley]

As an EMT myself, I would like to see some form of "chaser alert" system via a cell phone list when a rare, large-scale disaster strikes a rural community like Greensburg -- or even a major city. (Not everyone can monitor ST in the field). There are several medical/EMS/EMT/firefighters who chase. I was upset to hear in the AM of what happened in Greensburg when I was in Woodward that PM and could have responded. I also spoke to several other chasers in the same situation. Just an idea to think about -- for events that are indeed very rare. I remember this same situation in Saragosa, TX in 1987 and that's one of the reasons I got my EMT cert. Chasers could also monitor WX conditions for PD and rescue crews, something I have done before after accidents and disasters. I know this is not for everyone and there is no obligation.

Warren

 

[David Drummond]

Even small things like offering them a drink from your cooler, a ride over to the shelter, to use your cell phone to call someone, offering them a cigarette (if you smoke), maybe even a blanket if you carry one and they are cold and wet....little things like that mean SOOOOO much immediately after the event when they are often disoriented and at a loss as to what to do.

I still carry my first responder bag from my old days on the fire dept. I haven't kept up my certs, but the knowledge is still there and I have the tools to patch up a few cuts and get them over to some more comprehensive help.

Something to think about, if you are going to get our of your vehicle and help search....you might consider getting a small, hand held GPS unit, and mark your vehicle location before you leave it. There will most likely be NO street markings or landmarks to guide your way back.

 

[Glenn Dixon]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately as well. I believe that it would do wonders for the general PR of chasers for more of us to stop the chase and assist. (what, you need a few more minutes of footage? really?) I have not only joined my local county amateur radio club but the ARES group as well. I have also forwarded a background check form which will allow me to assist the Red Cross and CERT teams. Hams can provide a LOT of assistance in the early hours after a disaster. Calling in downed power lines, gas leaks, etc. First aid would be a bonus as well. I think it is a great idea to compile a list of things we as chasers can do to prepare ourselves for emergencies. Here's one:

https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/faq.shtm#why_train

 

[Dick McGowan]

FWIW, Derek, Darin and I didn't pull a single person out of the rubble, Sean Wilson (blown away tours and chaser for NBC in KC here)and his friend did. These guys deserve a medal for that, and for remaining calm during the whole thing. Emotions were flying.

We helped a gentleman by the name of Unruh who crawled out of his basement 6 miles south of Greensburg. He wanted us to go back south to search for his brother, wondering if it got hit. We didn't have the heart to tell him that his house was the one you see in the wedge video at the very beginning that is destroyed (we thought at the time, not sure if it is). Driving back south, would have taken us back through the power lines and the gas plant, and I wasn't going to risk our lives to do so. But he saw an emergency vehicle (after Darin told 911 that we had a survivor in our car and that they should come back to his farm because they were driving away) and talked me into driving back into his driveway. We saw lights flashing stopped in the road, and I flashed my lights continually till the car showed up. It was Dan Robinson and Fabian Guerra behind him. We told them the situation and we all went back north and had to navigate through the power lines in the road. There was one point where the pole was covering the whole road, except for a small area on the west side of the ditch, so we gunned it through the ditch and barely made it through. We continued to the next road block where the pole and lines were on the road diagonally, this time with the lines blocking the east side of the road, and the power pole on the west. There were two vehicles at a stop and we were the third. We saw another car lift the power lines up, and move their vehicle to the other side, so we all did the same. You had to be in just the right spot, or you couldn't get through. Mr. Unruh then directed us to his family or friends? house and we talked, and he wanted the guy to drive him to his brother's, and we told them that we had heard from Matt Jacobson that Greensburg took a direct hit, and that we were going to go see if anyone needed help. We took down their numbers and left. That's when I saw Sean on a dirt road and told him about Greensburg, then we both entered in from about 2 miles west.

Anyways, we got to Greensburg, tried to talk to people who were very disoriented, and let an elderly man rest in my car, as well as drove a couple of hispanic guys into town. They actually asked me if we could send them video after this was all said and done. After about 30-45 minutes, they organized a search team, so we split up with Sean (not sure where he went), and walked down a street that didn't have any searchers. We went from house to house with no flashlights, using our cell phones as light, yelling into the basements and looking in to see if we could see anything. We never did. We then continued to the east side of town, talking with people making sure they were okay, giving a bunch of them cigarettes. We talked to MESO for a bit, and headed back to the car. Everyone was meeting at Dillon's for a body count, to determine who was accounted for and who wasn't. We continued to talk to other people, some asking us if we had seen so and so, or their dog, or if we knew if so and so's house was hit. We tried to let them use our cell phones, but the cell phones quit working shortly after we arrived. We then walked back, and decided there was enough emergency personnel there to handle things. We didn't want to get in their way, or be a burden, so we left about 1:30 a.m.

We didn't do much to help out, but were willing to. I think anyone with a conscious would have done the same thing, but then again I'm sure there are people out there who wouldn't.

None of us have any training of any sort of medical field, and I agree, maybe all of us should. I can't stand the sight of blood, and I don't know what I would have done if I had saw a body. You didn't really think about that though.

Also, that picture that Martin Kucera has of the damage in the road, was where we picked up Mr. Unruh. (Driveway on the right)

 

[Brian Stertz]

One thing I heard in some of the interviews was the widespread rumor that another tornado was heading into Greensburg behind the first wedge. I can see how rumors and panic hit at times like these. I think it would be helpful for the emergency mgmt. coordinators to have access to a XM-Baron type setup to help immediately inform and get the surviviors mind at ease about situations like this one. Medical treatment, search & rescue, and information coordination is at the top level of a tornado disaster scene...

 

[HAltschule]

As a volunteer firefighter, I have come across so many accidents and emergencies on my spare time (out of town) its unbelievable. As a result of this, I carry some basic equipment in a small gym bag along with an extra pair of clothes and a blanket and water.

BTW...I think that those who stop to help and call 911 is very commendable and an excellent service to those in need, at a time in need. I am all for the basic first aid or CPR certification. Either way, it would be best for each chaser to have several pairs of latex/rubber gloves, some gauze and band-aids and a portable CPR mask ($5) in your jump bags in case you ever need it. These will protect you from any blood born diseases, etc... while you help. By the way, it could be anyone in a variety of situations that may need your help, not just a severe weather emergency. So, it's a good idea to carry this stuff around in general. Great ideas guys and gals.

 

[John Diel]

In the starting post, there was a question of liability. I can tell you now that the liability would be covered under the Good Samaritan rule. This generally covers first responders from liability if the intention to help was in good faith. It generally covers untrained people, but also covers many Voluteer Fire Departments, Ambulance Squads, and First Response units.

As long as the aid rendered does not go beyond that persons scope of training (or advanced first for people untrained in anything), then you're pretty well covered.

 

[Caleb Kimbrough]

Not that this has any comparison to Greensburg, but...

When we were out chasing on Saturday and a decently sized tornado dropped about 40-50 yards from us the first thing that went through my mind was to report the tornado to officials, so I made the call and did the reporting and then I started taking pictures and stuff.

I love chasing storms and taking pictures of them, but I would stop and help someone in need rather than chase in an instant. It's better that way...

 

[Jay McCoy]

I am also a certified first responder and even on my chase vacation I always carry a full BLS (Basic Life Support) kit and other emergency gear. Some of the most important things all chasers should carry is a good flashlight, heavy duty gloves (for moving debris), and a blanket. You can also get a good 1st aid kit pretty cheap at places like walmart. I dont have one now but when Warren and I chased together he and a number of our teammates carried automatic defibulators in case we came across lightning victims. I know Phil still carries his and I bet Warren still has his too.

I applaude everybody who stops and helps. Its is great if you have any kind of medical training but sometimes all these people need is some comforting, maybe a cell phone to call family, and a warm blanket and anybody can provide these things.

We can definitely provide them with wx information. After a strike many are worried about more wx coming in.

 

[Robert Rohloff]

There is a lot we can do as first on the scene. If you have operational ham radio or cell you are a conduit to the outside world for getting aid. If your radar is up staying with the command post area with your radar helps. In March 2006 I stopped chasing and set up in Colcord Ok since storms were developing behind the first storm. The ability to see what was coming and or if it was going to miss was a big relief to the emergency management.

 

[David Toner]

I've been a ham for several years and that has allowed me to report emergencies especially after a severe weather event when cell phones can be useless. Additionally I'm a Paramedic and I always carry a medical bag with me when I chase. There unfortunately have been several times when my career and my hobby have intersected. The event that is always on my mind was having to stop due to debris on the road north of Clever, MO in May 2003 and responding to a call for help. Unfortunately this was where the one fatality occured in Missouri during that outbreak and even with my training there's sometimes nothing you can do except to make the request for help via ham radio. This remains the only time that I used the prowords Break, Break.

 

[jason kissam]

I am in the same boat as everyone who has posted. Being a former fire fighter and emt my heart sank when i heard them ask for all available help to come down there.

the cpr and first aid is a plus. also someone mentioned a CERT training this is excellent, I am signed up for my local CERT class in colorado springs. also i have been taught in critical incident stress management CISM and disaster counseling from my church.

If more people stand up to help and give up that shot of a tornado more power to us all. we are the first line of defense before and after a storm. lets make a differance even if it only to one person.