Chasers As: First Responders

[Randy Denzer]

The Ham radio we had with us was put to use by Matt Kaasawara and he was able to help get out the word that the town was destroyed and that help was needed. This turned out to be a very valuable tool.

I can send you the content list of a complete BLS trauma kit if you want it. I would recommend you take a good first aid class.

 

[Doug Lee]

Most of the discussion on this thread supports the idea of chasers preparing themselves to respond by providing emergency assistance in the aftermath of a deadly and destructive storm event. If anyone is still reluctant to do so, let me pose some questions: What would you do if you were driving to work, school, or whatever, and you came upon an accident where someone was injured? Or, part of the building where you work collapsed? What could you do? What would you know how to do, to help in such situations?

Having a first aid kit, tools, and supplies in your vehicle, and the training to use them, allows you to be prepared for anything that could occur anytime. Even if you never use these things to help anyone else, they will always be there in case you need them for yourself.

 

[Randy Denzer]

Hear, HEar Douglas!!!!

 

[Jason Bolt]

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...

Thanks for stopping Saturday night. You guys were very helpful.

 

[Shawn Rutherford]

Sounds great.... as long as...

Randy... and others...

This would be great, as long as the cameras are replaced by first aid kits... and no, I certainly am not accusing anyone on here of that, but far too many "picture takers" and thrill seekers are clouding this role of storm chasing. Local law enforcement folks have told me that it's quite often the case, that they get non-essential personnel trying to enter a scene... even though they are firefighters, emt's, etc...

I know that's a pretty strong commentary, and I trust that most that want this to happen, will want it for the right reasons, but I fear that some just want to get closer to the damage, just to get closer pics/video.... Youtube is littered with video from chasers that are driving right through devastated areas with no seeming interest in helping.

FEMA sounds like a great place to coordinate this, as they would have the means to make it happen... just needs good people to spearhead the effort.

Kind of reminds me of Nate Ruffin in the movie "We Are Marshall"... the most unlikely candidate for reviving the team of Marshall University... but he did.

Great idea, keep pushing forward.

Shawn

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