Hurricane Gustav and Friends - Click Me!

Hi, everyone!

Well, here I am, sitting in the lobby of the Hampton Inn in Tallahassee. Florida (get Mom or Dad to help you look up Tallahassee and New Orleans, Louisiana), waiting to hear when, or if, we'll be assigned a medical mission.

What do I do here? I'm a registered paramedic with a Disaster Medical Assistant Team, part of the National Disaster Medical System. Basically, we are a 335 member medical team that sets up a field hospital in areas of need during natural and man-made disasters. You can read more about us here:
http://www.hhs.gov/aspr/opeo/ndms/teams/dmat.html

Right now we are watching news reports for Hurricane Gustav (HG) and thinking there may not be any real mission. That is, there are thousands and thousands of evacuaies all across the Gulf states, but whether or not they are medically in need is another issue.

But wait, there's more! Look at the link for Weather Underground. The Atlantic Basin is just one long daisy chain of storms. Hurrican Hanna (HH), Tropical Storm Ike (TSI), and depression 99, which probably won't be much of a problem, knock on wood.

Our team, called DMAT NC-1, is part of the United States government, so I'm a federal employee while deployed, which could last up to two weeks. It's a little like when military reserve or national guardsman get deployed. What's the coolest part? We wear military fatigues (excet they're dark blue)! Sorry, scouts, no guns or drill sergeants.

Now, for scout parents, you're federal tax dollar is being wisely used while we await a mission (this is referred to as staging or pre-positioning). We are provided with training, staff meetings, and equipment checks.

One of the things that attracts me to this is the requirement to be ready to mobilize within 4 hours of activation. This requires me to maintain a certain amoount of readiness at home, keeping my gear packed and in order. Also attractive, is taking care of patients in an environment missing air conditioning, adequate sleeping facilities (that is, a motel), and working shoulder to shoulder with other healthcare professionals, like doctors and such.

Bu, the biggest reason is know that when all is said and done, I have a chance to work with a team to deliver quality and compassionate medical care to people of have lost homes, family, friends, possessions, and have no idea what the next day will bring. I'll be home after a couple of weeks. Will they?

I'll update this as I can, as circumstances change, and as internet access permits.

I miss the pack!! Give me a call and say hi! 919-926-8403.