Hurricane Ike (Click Me)

The big boys at NDMS have determined it is better to keep us deployed and in staging for Ike, rather than try to re-deploy us. This is sensible and frustrating, as it means cooling our heals a bit longer before the potential for setting up shop. It also makes it harder on family and work. We have gone from a two week deployment to a possibly 3-4 week deployment. I can't say I could do this type of stint a second time. Not that I'm not ready and willing to help, but it doesn't seem fair to my real world.

Ike is worrying officials in a different way than Gustav. It's nothing palpable, just a sense of urgency. 7 more DMAT teams and numerous US Public Health Service personnel (some put the combined total at 1000) have been staged in Atlanta. That would put the number of DMATs (including full teams and strike teams)* deployed for the Gulf Coast at somewhere around 30. This deployment rivals Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005.

Hanna is in North Carolina as I type this. I called home, and everyone is fine and safe. A few power outages in Wake County, but nothing worse than a tree down here and there and LOTS of rain. You guys be safe. Don't wander out unecessarily.

More later.

*Full (level 1) DMATs are 36 member teams with field hospital provisioning. Strike Teams are smaller units pulled from a DMAT to serve a specific function, like run a part of the command center or assess needs in an affected area.