Cameron Redwine
EF1
To be clear, I'm not saying chasers should or should not help. I'm putting thoughts out for discussion.
Hearing about the chasers who rendered aid after the recent Mapleton, IA tornado has made me start thinking about how chasers are helping. I don't for a moment question their motives for stopping, I commend them. I am, however, curious about how they helped.
I am also posing the questions: Despite the desire to help, are untrained, ill-equipped chasers further complicating the disaster scene and increasing the stress for emergency personnel? Does the benefit of untrained chasers trying to help outweigh the risk to the chasers and patients? (Downed lines, gas leaks, sharp debris, etc.)
And here's why:
I'm attending EMT school at the moment and nothing is stressed more than personal safety and scene safety. The reasoning is simple: If you're injured, you cannot help anyone else and you further stress any available resources. You create another patient.
Additionally, one of the first things EMS providers do is consider spinal stabilization. People without training or equipment should not be moving ANYONE who can't move (unless they weren't able to walk prior to the storm). Or unless they're in immediate danger. If they are already walking, well then it's not such an issue.
I'd like to hear thoughts on this from local emergency managers, firefighter/medics, etc. I'd also like to hear from chasers who have stopped to render aid.
Hearing about the chasers who rendered aid after the recent Mapleton, IA tornado has made me start thinking about how chasers are helping. I don't for a moment question their motives for stopping, I commend them. I am, however, curious about how they helped.
I am also posing the questions: Despite the desire to help, are untrained, ill-equipped chasers further complicating the disaster scene and increasing the stress for emergency personnel? Does the benefit of untrained chasers trying to help outweigh the risk to the chasers and patients? (Downed lines, gas leaks, sharp debris, etc.)
And here's why:
I'm attending EMT school at the moment and nothing is stressed more than personal safety and scene safety. The reasoning is simple: If you're injured, you cannot help anyone else and you further stress any available resources. You create another patient.
Additionally, one of the first things EMS providers do is consider spinal stabilization. People without training or equipment should not be moving ANYONE who can't move (unless they weren't able to walk prior to the storm). Or unless they're in immediate danger. If they are already walking, well then it's not such an issue.
I'd like to hear thoughts on this from local emergency managers, firefighter/medics, etc. I'd also like to hear from chasers who have stopped to render aid.