Chasers As: First Responders

[Randy Denzer]

One more thing!!

We could have used any chasers help that entered Greensberg with or without medical training. It took hours before the big guns arrived and in the mean time we have alot of shook up folks. The big key here is that we were asked to be there by the chief and we were not "freelancing". Even those of you with little or no medical training could have been used in the triage area. I wa actually on the phone with a couple of chasers asking for them to come help.


As far as the rest of the town? There was WAY too many hidden dangers out there with EVERY powerline down and gas lines breaking and even a amonia (possibly chlorine) leaking on the railroad tracks.



You will eventually see our story. We were there to chase storms and ended up being the first response team into the area. I am very proud of every member of the team and how well they performed. I am hoping this will shead a new light on storm chasing and hope that more of you with medical trianing put it to use when you can under these circumstances. MESO has done this multiple times now. The following night we were in the St. Johns command post providing weather info to the incident commander.

I was called by a Kansas state official yesterday to thank the team for our work in their state.

I would like to see more chase teams preparred to stop and help instead of continuing on to get more video...

 

[Jerry Prsha]

"Storm Responder"

You will eventually see our story. We were there to chase storms and ended up being the first response team into the area. I am very proud of every member of the team and how well they performed. I am hoping this will shead a new light on storm chasing and hope that more of you with medical trianing put it to use when you can under these circumstances. MESO has done this multiple times now. The following night we were in the St. Johns command post providing weather info to the incident commander.

I was called by a Kansas state official yesterday to thank the team for our work in their state.

I would like to see more chase teams preparred to stop and help instead of continuing on to get more video...

I was thinking about this thread while showering this morning...

My thought was a little bit of organization where we all get organized, trained and because of that, validated.

Some special training and markings on vehicles might make nice with emergency personnel and raise our standing among goverments agencies and the public. We aren't simply thrill seekers and become real protectors of the public by organizing this further. ...Perhaps with the Red Cross and other agencies.

After seeing some of the hassles that local police give "chasers", something like a "Storm Responder" sticker on a vehicle, meaning that we've taken the time to train for emergencies and equip our vehicles with the proper first aid materials, would really solidify and validate our position in the whole scheme of things. Local authorites would see that sticker and instead of thinking of us as an annoyance, look at us as a helpful addition and welcome our presence.

Is this "doable?" Would Stormtrack like to become a vehicle to make this happen?

Jp

 

[John Diel]

Jason,

This particular idea is one probably left to the organizations already in place. The MESO Team is probably the best organised that I am aware of as far as a group of Storm Chasers are concerned. There may be more out there, but I'm not aware of them.

Best bet would be to get invloved in your local Red Cross group and stock your vehicle for small scale emergencies. Carry your Certifications and Memebership cards and volunteer if you see the need.

To actually try and organize a group of Chasers that are spread out all over the US and only in the Midwest when they can afford to get out, well, it's pretty monumental.

It's a nice idea, but probably not very feasable.

--John Diel

 

[Scott Roberts]

What would you put in a small fist aid kit? My chase partner and I fly out and never have much room, because of all our equipment. I do think it's a good idea to have a kit, so what would be the most important things to pack? Angie, good idea about the dog food. I carry a bag here in AZ as the reservations always have a large number of stray dogs. When I see one, I pull over and feed it. I know it doesn't help much but at least the dog goes to sleep with a full belly one night.

If I were in that situation, I think I'd wait until I'm on ground at the destination and make a Wal-Mart stop. A box or two of 4x4 gauze, tape, elastic wrap, D-cell batteries (for your 4-cell MagLight that you've rbought with you from home)...those are the basics. I'd recommend latex or nitrile gloves (you can buy a box and only take a couple of pair with you, they wad up into a belt pack really easily) and maybe a pocket mask.

You can improvise all sorts of things in the field if you have to -- clothing can replace gauze and can be used to create servicable slings, newspapers, magazines or your road atlas can be used for splinting, too. Raincoats can protect somoene with a large open wound from falling rain (they certainly need it more than I do). Things like that.

My wife (a Nurse/Paramedic) recommended a package of cloth diapers, which can be used in any number of ways.

Then, before you go home, drop into a homeless shelter and donate what you don't use. The buy/donate cycle saves you from having to carry it on the plane or ship it.

 

[Scott Roberts]

I would like to see more chase teams preparred to stop and help instead of continuing on to get more video...

Hear, hear!

 

[Dan Robinson]

I would like to see more chase teams preparred to stop and help instead of continuing on to get more video...

I really don't think that's a fair statement to make. I don't know of anyone who knew they could be of help and didn't do so because they wanted to continue the chase. I'd like to see chasers more equipped and prepared, yes - but the implication of the above statement is an unfair and counterproductive presumption. There are many legitimate reasons for avoiding a fresh disaster area especially if you are not qualified to be there. Because one chooses to not be there does not imply ulterior motives.

 

[Doug Lee]

Sorry for the long post, but I have some things for people to at least think about.

Discussions about a national storm chaser assciation have come up before, but nothing has come of them except a lot of comments pro and con that tend to grow into flame wars. The Storm Responder idea seems to be in the same line of thinking.

A couple of years ago, we had some new hams in the Tulsa area that were really interested in emergency communications, but they saw no structure in place to focus on that. So, they proposed starting a new organization or club just to focus on emcomms. But we already have an organization for that, it's called ARES - Amateur Radio Emergency Services. The problem was that the ARES Emergency Coordinators in the area didn't do much with the program except register people, give out ID cards, hold weekly nets and drills once in a while. Then Hurricane Katrina happened.
The Tulsa Red Cross was called on to operate a shelter for the evacuees. Due to gaps in cell phone coverage, they needed communications between Camp Gruber near Muskogee, where the shelter was located, and their Service Center in Tulsa. They also needed communications for various positions around the base because the phone system at Gruber was inadequate for the workload. Ham radio became a lifeline there because the hams served as the 911 system for about a week.
As a result, we have new leaders in ARES, and the EC's throughout the state of Oklahoma are involved in building up the organization. If you want to see how, go to www.aresoklahoma.org. We already had an organization, we just needed a wake up call to make us take a proactive approach instead of just wating for something to break and then scrounge around to cobble together a solution. Time is saved when the solution is at hand.

My main point is, let's not waste time reinventing the wheel. You as an individual can obtain ceritfications and credientials that are recognized nationwide.
Start at your local level. The Red Cross ALWAYS needs volunteers, and they will give you the training you need. Your city or county emergency management agency is another place to check, for Citizen's Corp and CERT programs. Community colleges and tech shools offer EMT classes.
If you're not comfortable dealing with victims directly, ham radio is a viable option, because those managing the situation need smeone to handle critical information. The ARRL offers an online course for the Technician class license, or you might find a local ham radio club offering a class, plus they offer a study materials for the ham radio test at www.arrl.org.

Here are my basic recommendations (for those not pursuing professional certifications or joining CERT or Red Cross, etc.):
First AID with Adult/Child/Infant CPR from the Red Cross,
NIMS courses, IS-100 and IS-200; http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100.asp, http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is200.asp,
First Aid Kit,
Work Gloves,
Swiss Army style pocket knife, or multitool,
One good and sturdy flashlight and a couple of cheaper lights to lend out,
Notepad and pencil,
Jump start booster box with power outlets and area light (some models include an air compressor for low tires),
Jack, lug wrench, tire pressure gauge,
Toolbox with socket and combination wrenches,pliers, screwdrivers, etc.,
Copies of all ID's and credentials,
Rain gear,
Change of clothes (including socks and underwear!),
Several bottles of water, reserve one for washing,
Wet wipes,
Energy bars or similar snacks.

The important thing is for each individual to investigate the opportunties at their disposal, and to do the best they can with what they have. If enough chasers and spotters prepare themselves to help, and do so when needed, we will find the local authorities more cooperative, not to mention the feeling you get when you help someone in desparate need.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

There are also scenarios when it's best for a chaser to keep up with the storm and continue offering reports. If everyone dropped off a storm at the first damage path, people downstream could be at a disadvantage for data later. This is a subjective matter and should be judged on a case-by-case basis by individual chasers at the time of the event.

 

[Kathryn Piotrowski]

One more thing!!

We could have used any chasers help that entered Greensberg with or without medical training. It took hours before the big guns arrived and in the mean time we have alot of shook up folks. The big key here is that we were asked to be there by the chief and we were not "freelancing". Even those of you with little or no medical training could have been used in the triage area. I wa actually on the phone with a couple of chasers asking for them to come help.


As far as the rest of the town? There was WAY too many hidden dangers out there with EVERY powerline down and gas lines breaking and even a amonia (possibly chlorine) leaking on the railroad tracks. ...

I just want to add to the list of important items to have during chasing I I have noticed several chasers wearing flip-flops out chasing. No problem with that just that a good sturdy pair of sneakers or all weather boots is essential if anywhere near damage. Actually it is a smart thing to wear a sturdy all weather hiking shoe of anykind when out chasing. You never know what you might jump out of the vehicle and step onto.

BTW...this is a very cool thread...great information..and thought provoking about being prepared for the next major event.

Randy I am going to PM you with my personal contact information...if we are on the same event and you need help again...please don't hesitate to contact me.


K

 

[Randy Denzer]

I really don't think that's a fair statement to make. I don't know of anyone who knew they could be of help and didn't do so because they wanted to continue the chase. I'd like to see chasers more equipped and prepared, yes - but the implication of the above statement is an unfair and counterproductive presumption. There are many legitimate reasons for avoiding a fresh disaster area especially if you are not qualified to be there. Because one chooses to not be there does not imply ulterior motives.

I was not refurring to the Greensberg tornado but instead almost every other tornado damage scene I have assisted at. Attica Kansas as an example. We stopped and helped the Robinsons as many others took pictures of us..

Maybe it is presumptive but it is what it is....


Katheryn,
Please do send me an email and I will make sure to keep it on me.

 

[Jay Cazel]

I was not refurring to the Greensberg tornado but instead almost every other tornado damage scene I have assisted at. Attica Kansas as an example. We stopped and helped the Robinsons as many others took pictures of us..

Maybe it is presumptive but it is what it is....


Katheryn,
Please do send me an email and I will make sure to keep it on me.

I think Randy might be talking more on the lines of chasers should be prepared just in case they need to stop and help.

But Dan R does have some vaild points also.....it really is a judgement call.

 

[Randy Denzer]

Folks,
Myself and Josh Jans have been working on a resource network program FOR FEMA for about two years now. Part of the program involves a network of CERTIFIED storm chasers (AKA Storm recon teams) that will be tied into a program that will allow storm data to be sent in to a centralized center. I put it to work at the Greensberg disaster. My cell phone had just enough coverage to make 1 single call to one of the task Force leaders (but it was NOT the right one) who got things rolling for a standby. Although the system is not in place, I was able to get the info out to those who needed the info.

The majority of the program will be for on site hurricane recon. My presentation included the fact that the chasers will be there anyway and that they could definatly use the info. There will be a component that will include events like last Friday. The program has alot of promise and the powers that be are in favor of it as long as the certification only allows those with the proper training involved.

We have envisioned this like a Storm Spotter network on steroids. The certification that would require additional training in all of NIMS, First aid or EMT-B, EVOC driving courses. and of course proof that you know enough about weather to keep you from getting killed.

In return you would have a pass to go into any area you need to go. You would be used as a legitamate weather resource in any area.

Speed limits would still have to be obeyed and all that.

More to come as the program evolves.

Go read the blogger on our site <www.teammeso.org>to see us in the St. Johns command post on May 5th providing weather data to the multicounty staging area.

Randy

 

[Lori Meyer]

I am half way through school to become an RN. I think this thread it awesome! If you happen to be the type that would need medical attn. just by looking at the sight of blood... you could still be used to transport the physically unharmed to area shelters. Also, as mentioned several times above, being there for people emotionally is HUGE!!! Most of the victims are going to be in a state of shock and are actually in danger of becoming physically hurt by simply being in a dangerous area and not being fully cognitive of their surroundings related to disorientation from the precipitating factor at hand. Soon after I graduate I intend to obtain a Ham radio licence and figure out how all of that works. No matter what training you have or don't have you CAN and in my opion, SHOULD, help anyone, antime, and anywhere to the best of your ability.

 

[Bill Tabor]

Jason,

This particular idea is one probably left to the organizations already in place. The MESO Team is probably the best organised that I am aware of as far as a group of Storm Chasers are concerned. There may be more out there, but I'm not aware of them.

Best bet would be to get invloved in your local Red Cross group and stock your vehicle for small scale emergencies. Carry your Certifications and Memebership cards and volunteer if you see the need.

To actually try and organize a group of Chasers that are spread out all over the US and only in the Midwest when they can afford to get out, well, it's pretty monumental.

It's a nice idea, but probably not very feasable.

--John Diel

I haven't read on yet, so not sure if Randy has replied on this; however he did mention earlier I think in another thread that he (and MESO) is already working with FEMA on a program / certification for this type of thing.

As far as feasibility...think of Skywarn. It is a large, spread out network for spotters and it works very well including training and certification in severe weather awareness and storm spotting. I don't want to over step my bounds and possibly describe something inaccurate about MESO's program, but it seems to me a similar infrastructure could be established with storm rescue / first responder purpose in mind, and government / FEMA approval stamped on it.

 

[Linda Kitchen]

Thanks for the ideas in packing a kit. Scott, that is a great thought, we'll stop at Walmart and make our own. I'm a ham radio operator but I've left my radio home the last couple of years. This year I will bring it just in case. Linda