From the northerners, with love

Posted at 9:46 AM on August 31, 2008 by Bob Collins (0 Comments)
Filed under: Weather

Randy Fischer of Fergus Falls sends along this snapshot -- taken on Saturday in Texas.
"Ringdahl EMS strike team in Texas assisting with emergency medical needs and medical evacuations. Five ambulances from Ringdahl EMS sites in Fergus Falls, MN, Pelican Rapids, MN, Jamestown, ND, and Lisbon, ND were sent to Texas along with 15 medical personnel, support truck and disaster trailer."

Hurricane Gustav has everyone's attention today.

Says a release from the EMS firm:

In an effort to position emergency vehicles and respond to health, medical and ambulance needs in the Gulf states, Ringdahl EMS was placed on "standby" alert last Thursday morning at 7:00 am for possible deployment of a strike team. At 7:10 PM Thursday evening Ringdahl EMS, under contract with American Medical Response (AMR) was notified to mobilize their strike team. A "strike team" consists of five advanced life support (ALS) ambulances and 22 emergency personnel, according to Randy Fischer, Operations Director for Ringdahl EMS. Fischer said, "the crew was ready to go within hours of call-up, and left for San Antonio, TX late Thursday evening. They arrived and have since been reassigned to Beaumont, TX for evacuation assistance at hospitals in the area. They may be assigned for up to 30 days to various disaster response locations. The crews will stay at their assigned location prior to hurricane Gustav hitting the gulf, and will take shelter and respond to emergency medi cal needs as assigned. "

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