Susquehanna EHS Sends ALS Unit with Pa EMS Task Force 3 to Help in Hurricane Rita Relief Efforts In Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Currently, EMAC was implemented on a major scale in response to the Hurricane Rita damages all along the Gulf Coast.  Louisiana has requested ALS Ambulances with ALS personnel and support vehicles.  In cooperation with the State of Pennsylvania DOH, the regional EHS Councils and PEMA have identified 20 ALS Ambulances with EMTs, Paramedics and support personnel capable of providing advanced life support and emergency medical transportation who are currently available for immediate deployment and can perform ALS and emergency medical transportation in the areas suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Rita.  These assets will travel to the Louisiana and work in support of the Louisiana Emergency Management Agency.

This will be the third time for a massive ALS deployment from Pennsylvania to Louisiana since  the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.  This ALS deployment will be known as Pennsylvania EMS Task Force 3.

Susquehanna EHS Council sent Berwick Area Ambulance to represent the council with Pa EMS Task Force 3 on Saturday, October 15th. 

Medical Strike Team Members from Berwick Area Ambulance
George Herrold III, Paramedic/Strike Team Leader (Berwick Area Ambulance)
Matthew Klinetob, Paramedic (Berwick Area Ambulance)
Fred Shotwell, EMT (Berwick Area Ambulance)
Nate Shelhamer, EMT (Greater Columbia Medical Transport)

Berwick Team members with follow providers from A.P.T.S., Hazleton, Pa. 

Group photo at Fairfield Inn, Hazleton before convoy began 

Pa EMS Task Force 3 Units
1 EMS Commander – Philadelphia Fire Department
5 ALS Units – Philadelphia Fire Department
1 ALS Unit – Susquehanna EHS
- Berwick Area Ambulance -
2 ALS Units – Montgomery County EHS
3 ALS Units – Delaware County EHS
4 ALS Units – Bradford Susquehanna EHA
3 ALS Units – EMS of Northeastern EHS
- Hanover Twp -
- American Patient Transport Service -
- Community Life Support -
2 ALS Units – Southern Alleghenies EMS
- Hollidaysburg American Legion Ambulance -
- AMED -
1 Mechanic – Philadelphia Fire Department
1 Mechanic – Delaware County EHS

The Northeastern portion of the Task Force met at the Fairfield Inn in Hazleton at 1000hrs for final paperwork and briefing by the representatives of the Pa Dept of Health and regional EMS councils. At 1044 hrs the Northeast portion of Task Force 3 began their trip to Harrisburg to meet up with the remaining Task Force units in a convoy formation. 

The Pa EMS Task Force 3 convoy stopped overnight in Kingsport, Tennessee around 2145 hrs.  Sunday morning, the convoy will continue the trip to Camp Colorado .Total estimated trip distance from Pa to Louisiana is estimated to be 1, 277 miles.   

The Pa EMS Task Force 3 should arrive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Camp Colorado by Sunday and report to the Director of the Louisiana Emergency Management or the Pa EMS Task Force 3 Commander, Ralph Halper of Philadelphia Fire Department, upon arrival.  The first crews will be expected to begin their duties no later then Monday morning, October 17, 2005, however this is subject to change if the need arises.

Camp Colorado is under the direction of the Colorado State Emergency Management Agency. All tent sites are fully operational and the camp continues to have running water, shower facilities, laundry facilities, and full-service bathrooms. Camp capacity is 400 beds. The Wellness Center tent was constructed on Monday 9/12/2005. The Medical Clinic trailer arrived on Sunday (9/12/2005). The vaccination program has been a huge success with over 65 patients seen. The DECON Unit continues to be available for all residents needing assistance in camp. Camp Colorado remains in contact with a GIS Unit staged near the EOC. 

Daily Situation Reports
Photos
Home Page