On August 28, 2008, in preparation for Hurricane Gustav, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requested that Elizabeth Township Area EMS send one ambulance and one wheelchair van to Alexandria, Louisiana to assist with possible evacuation efforts.  In response, Medic 525, staffed by Lieutenant Blaine Kring and EMT Sam Swope, along with Van 1, staffed by Lieutenant Jill Moorehead and EMT Kelly Ringbloom, were deployed at 2000 hours.  Nearly 24 hours later, both units arrived in Alexandria.  Both units were given orders to assist with evacuation efforts.  Specifically, Medic 525 was assigned to assist with patient evacuation from Terrebonne General Medical Center to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans where they would be flown to Baton Rouge, as pictured above.  These types of missions continued for several days.

 

Van 1 was decommissioned at 1000 hrs. on August 31^st.  We were very glad that Jill and Kelly returned safely.  Medic 525 remained.  Over the next several days, the crew from Medic 525 continued to assist with patient evacuations throughout the New Orleans Area.  When Hurricane Gustav actually made landfall in New Orleans, the crew was mobilized with officials from New Orleans EMS, Fire, Police, and military personnel inside the New Orleans Convention Center.  The crew would spend the next several weeks conducting various missions for FEMA.    

 

On September 15, 2008, Medic 525 was decommissioned from the Hurricane Gustav Mission, and immediately activated for the Hurricane Ike Mission.  As such, the crew assisted with patient missions throughout the Houston and Galveston, Texas areas.

 

On September 20, 2008, Medic 525 was decommissioned from the Hurricane Ike Mission and given permission to return to Pennsylvania.  We were glad to greet them upon their return at 0207 hours on Monday, September 22, 2008.

 

Welcome Home Blaine and Sam.  We are extremely proud and grateful for your efforts.  Thanks to folks like you, the largest evacuation and the largest mobilization of EMS resources in United States History were successful.  Way to go!!

 

The second photo is of an actual note received by Blaine and Sam on September 8, 2008 while awaiting their unit to be repaired.  After eating at the IHOP in Alexandria, Louisiana, they were handed this note, which clearly shows the appreciation of their efforts by the fine people of the area.