IAEP Members in New Jersey Aid in Hurricane Response
September 02, 2011
Members of IAEP Locals 87 and 200, EMS professionals with the Elizabeth Fire Department (EMBA) and the University of Medicine and Dentistry (supervisors) respectively, participated in relief efforts before, during and after Hurricane Irene struck the East Coast of the United States.
The first major hurricane of the 2011 season, Irene quickly strengthened to what the U.S. was expecting to be a category three hurricane that would move from the Caribbean and travel its way up the eastern seaboard. While its strength lessened as it traveled up the coast, Irene brought extensive flooding, wind damage and power outages leaving thousands in danger.
“There hadn’t been a hurricane that made landfall in New Jersey since the 1940’s,” said IAEP National Representative Carlos G. Gomez. “I was proud to see EMS teams volunteer to help during this time of need and make the evacuations go more smoothly.”
Resources and members from both Locals 87 and 200 played a critical role in the evacuation of residents in the New Jersey. The New Jersey EMS Task Force (NJEMSTF) worked closely with IAEP members in Elizabeth in utilizing the Fire Department’s EMS BUS, Medical Ambulance BUS 1, during the evacuations. This critical piece of equipment allows the transportation of twenty patients in one trip and allows for quick and efficient evacuation of patients in need of rapid transport from hospitals or nursing homes.
Local 200 members also played key roles in the evacuations. UMDNJ EMS is the main agency which staffs the NJEMSTF having helped create the task force in 2003.
"I am glad that members of the IAEP in New Jersey and their organizations participated in the evacuation of hundreds of people throughout the state during the Hurricane Irene event,” said Gomez. “We were able to move these people quickly and efficiently, helping to reduce the level of panic.”
Even though Irene was downgraded to a tropical storm, it did cause widespread destruction with damage estimates in the U.S. currently at about $7 billion. Thanks to the continued efforts of EMS professionals around the country, those affected by the storm continue to receive the treatment and attention they require.
“This is a testament to the dedication of our members and the selflessness of EMS professionals in general,” said IAEP National Director Philip Petit. “During our time of need, EMS professionals are heroes actively working to protect the public and the patients they serve day in and day out.”