Stopping to help (or call for help) when pulling up on devastation

[chrisbray]

Not trying to start back up anything or take sides, but I thought it was worth mentioning that we don't KNOW the chaser in question did not at least call 911. It's a storm chasing video that has been edited, it's quite possible he did not include the subsequent part where he contacted them. Just food for thought

 

[Mike Thornton]

Dan is correct, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training is essential for any chaser that thinks they would or might stop and help. I highly recommend you sign up and take the class in person for your local Fire or Emergency Mgmt department , as you will get a lot more out of the exercises than you could ever get just from reading the slides (not to mention many classes give free go kits loaded with supplies). The 10 session (typically free) course covers everything from first aid, to turning off gas, to light search and resecue, to disaster psychology, and more. In my class we even lifted collapsed walls and cars off dummies. Most importantly it teaches you skills on how not to became another victim when you try to help. The "size up" is critical before you try to help. If you chase long enough you will be first on scene to a disaster, and even when the pros arrive they will be out numbered and will appreciate trained help until the mural aid responders arrive.

I just signed up for a CERT training class because of this post! Thanks!

 

[StephenHenry]

The names of the 23 victims are pretty much out in the open now (James Spann posted the names on Facebook). One of the victims was an author whose Alabama writers forum page can be found here: https://www.writersforum.org/authors/listing/charlotte_miller_fiction.html. Chillingly, if you look up the address listed on her page in Google Street View and compare to Scott's video, it's the exact leveled house where he turned around...

Thankfully, I have precious little experience with fresh damage on a chase. I don't know the whole story and I'm not here to pile on. But I do think we each need to decide before our next chase what level of help we are trained for and ready to provide. Coming up on a scene like this without having forethought on the steps of action is not a position I ever want to be in.

 

[Bill Hark]

Here is a direct link to Dr. Jason Persoff's very good talk at the recent ChaserCon in Wichita, Kansas on this subject. For those who don't know Jason, he is a very experienced storm chaser and photographer who is also a physician and has a special interest in post-disaster medical management. He worked as a physician managing patients in those chaotic hours after the Joplin tornado. I highly recommend watching this talk especially if you are considering running into a damage zone after a tornado.

 

[Ben Grizzell]

The names of the 23 victims are pretty much out in the open now (James Spann posted the names on Facebook). One of the victims was an author whose Alabama writers forum page can be found here: https://www.writersforum.org/authors/listing/charlotte_miller_fiction.html. Chillingly, if you look up the address listed on her page in Google Street View and compare to Scott's video, it's the exact leveled house where he turned around...

Thankfully, I have precious little experience with fresh damage on a chase. I don't know the whole story and I'm not here to pile on. But I do think we each need to decide before our next chase what level of help we are trained for and ready to provide. Coming up on a scene like this without having forethought on the steps of action is not a position I ever want to be in.

Wow... How interesting. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected. Thank you for digging around and sharing what you found, that's quite a discovery.

I completely agree with the idea that we should think through how we'd respond to a scene like that, God forbid we ever witness one. I like the way you worded that as well; we need to be aware of what level of emergency assistance we're qualified to provide, I suppose failing to do so could possibly interfere with first responders, or make matters even worse. A situation I hope we never face, nonetheless.

 

[Mike Thornton]

Calling 911 and letting them know of damaged homes is rendering aid. I would hope most chasers would do this.

I have done it in the past, and to would hope chasers would do that as well.

 

[Jake Orosi]

The original video posted yesterday was over 4 minutes long. They seem to have taken it down, edited it, and then put it back up. The original showed him pulling up on the damage, 3 point turning, and high tailing it out of there. The new version up now ends as he faces the damage, and doesn't show him pulling off. Also of note, this new version doesn't show the entirety of the view from inside the vehicle which made his driving on the center line much more obvious than the go pro view. There was also a section of video cut that had him trying to mount the go pro (out the sunroof I assume) while still driving. So it seems to me that after the initial back lash, some sort of damage control on their part was attempted.

I didn't see the original video. But enough people have described the editing here to give me a good idea of what's been cut out.

If what everyone is saying is accurate, I find the editing of the video following the criticism to be more than merely suspicious; it is blatantly dishonest. It would have taken less time and effort to simply acknowledge everyone's criticism and apologize for his actions, than it did to edit and reupload the video to hide his misbehavior - and it would have meant a whole lot more. Heck, it wouldn't have even looked as bad for him if he had simply ignored all the criticism completely and did nothing. But quietly editing the video after everybody already knows what was on it just makes him look unscrupulous on top of being careless; it shows he knows what he did was wrong but doesn't want to own up to it.

 

[Jake Orosi]

I have done it in the past, and to would hope chasers would do that as well.

Yeah it really is the least you can do in that kind of situation. Not everyone has to become Mr/Mrs Search-and-Rescue or carry a bag of medical equipment in the trunk. But you know you've got a cell phone; for heaven's sake put the thing to some use and save a life.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Calling 911 and letting them know of damaged homes is rendering aid. I would hope most chasers would do this.

But calling them out and being disrespectful to them on FB always helps huh???? If you were not in the car with Scott, you have no clue what he did or who he called. I know Scott, and I know that he is a respectful chaser that would help in any way possible.

 

[Warren Faidley]

But calling them out and being disrespectful to them on FB always helps huh???? If you were not in the car with Scott, you have no clue what he did or who he called. I know Scott, and I know that he is a respectful chaser that would help in any way possible.

Hi Jason, any chance of getting him to say something? Maybe he simply screwed-up or maybe he did call in? Might help to stop the rumors. Amazingly, people say and do stupid things during and after a tragedy. As an EMT I've seen this done as stress-releasing "black humor" but some comments are over the line, especially right afterwards in a public forum. I jumped on multiple people after the El Reno disaster after they would not stop openly bragging and boasting about stupid things they did (and survived) after they knew a tragedy had occurred.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I don't think Scott is a member of ST.

 

[B. Dean Berry]

I am a CERT instructor & team member, 20-year EMT, SAR tech, rope rescue tech, and firefighter.

I am fully against untrained people going in to collapsed structures. This is simply a way to add a +1 to the initial kill counts. Similarly, even with proper training, if you don't have proper equipment, same thing. Similarly, even with proper training and equipment, are you by yourself? If so, same thing. Call 911 or call in the location on ham radio (if you have one), but don't go in to a severely compromised structure.

What consists of "compromised"? The CERT Training explains it.

One thing about CERT training - Go to in-person classes, if available in your area. The online class is nice, and goes over all the book-learning part of it, but nothing will replace first-hand knowledge of how hot fire is, or what a water cutoff valve feels like when you're turning it, or how shaky cribbing feels when you're lifting a wall with a lever. Do it in person, and you'll gain a whole different perspective.

I'd also recommend Hazardous Materials Awareness, and FEMA's IS100 and IS700 self-study courses.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

I know Scott, and I know that he is a respectful chaser that would help in any way possible.

That doesn't excuse his shit driving though, as witnessed from the video. If he keeps that up he's going to kill someone and we'll have yet another unnecessary RIP chaser thread.

 

[Jason Boggs]

That doesn't excuse his shit driving though, as witnessed from the video. If he keeps that up he's going to kill someone and we'll have yet another unnecessary RIP chaser thread.

Yeah, I never saw the initial video, so I can't comment on that. I sure don't condone reckless driving at all.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

Yeah, I never saw the initial video, so I can't comment on that. I sure don't condone reckless driving at all.

Even in the edited video you can see his speed and crossing the center line. I really doubt that guy flashing his lights was warning about the tornado, it looked like he was warning to avoid a head on collision.

In any case, I won't judge as, like you said, nobody was in the car with him. I'll only comment on what I can see from the video, edited or not.

I'd simply rather not see another dead chaser/chaser caused death thread.

Be careful everyone. None of this chasing shit is worth your or someone else's life.