What happened: Hurricane Helene struck the North Carolina coast, leaving 160 people dead and cutting power for 1.2 million residents. Asheville is submerged by floodwaters with no communication or electricity, creating dire conditions for both residents and responders.
| More: Search for victims continues as Hurricane Helene death toll passes 200
Highlights
Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, discuss the logistics of responding to natural disasters like this, drawing from their experience with hurricanes in New Jersey. They emphasize the importance of incident command and preparation for EMS personnel as storm events become increasingly severe and frequent. Together, they highlight:
- Preparedness is key. Incident command system (ICS) training is critical for effective disaster response, helping EMS teams stay organized and ready to act.
- Lessons from past storms. EMS teams in New Jersey learned from Superstorm Sandy, developing preparedness plans to address power outages, flooding and overwhelmed resources.
- Adapting to new weather patterns. As severe weather becomes more common, EMS professionals nationwide need to prepare for unusual events like cyclones in California or wildfires in the Midwest.
The path forward
Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the crucial role EMS plays in disaster response. EMS organizations must prioritize training in incident command, develop solid response plans and anticipate the unexpected to meet the needs of their communities. Learning from past responses and staying ahead of climate-driven weather shifts is essential for providing timely and effective care during such emergencies.
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