I've been on alert for deployment with my Disaster Medical Assistance Team from Northwest Florida. We are part of the National Disaster Medical System.

I'll try to post updates if I can get permission and internet access. If not, I'll post an after action report. The Feds seem a little over-focused on secrecy and controlling the message and news for my taste lately, but I'll give it my best effort to keep our gang informed.

The only reason I see that would keep me from deploying is if the hurricane strikes my home area. The system recognizes that most team members have essential emergency duties in their civilian jobs in that case, and teams from other areas of the country will come here instead.

Jeff

Thank you. Yep, Ike is beginning to look like another big'un. What organization is your lady friend with?

Jeff

This could be a BIG hit on the Gulf Coast.

Cool! That's dangerous and sometimes gruesome work. I'm sure people are glad they are willing to volunteer and have her and her team's expertise available when needed. You must be very proud of her. Good luck with the EMT class.

Jeff

[quote]"Preparedness: Because those zombies aren't going to kill themselves." [/quote

Izzy, I think this is one of the lines of the century for me.

As far as your girl - congrats! It fun having a significant other that is into things that are just plain BAD-A&& - cool girl stuff. My DW is one of those. We have a ball and she is one that I can count on in good times and bad. To quote one of my favorite 80's band songs "hold on loosely - but dont let her go..." Have fun bud cause they tend to be an adventure in and of themselves.

If I were thinking of cheating on my wife, she sounds like a great prospect!!!

We have been ordered to deploy. I report in at 0500 on Saturday. I'll try to post updates.

Jeff

May God go with you. Thank you for your service.

Stay safe!

Jeff, please stay safe.

God be with you, keep sharp and stay safe.

Thanks for the good wishes.

Not much to report, however. We were sent to Houma, LA, which had extensive flooding that shut down a local hospital. We set up our field hospital in an abandoned Winn Dixie parking lot nearby. We only saw about 200 patients, and only one critical. The hospital was able to re-open their ER after about a week, so we went home. We would have much rather been deployed to Galveston. Basically, it was little more than an extended training exercise, but that's not such a bad thing, since we have some new members.

We did send medical strike teams daily to the local shelters, and they did some useful work there. We did run across one Red Cross volunteer "shelter Nazi" who was being a bit of a pain, but he apparently got a major attitude check overnight and was fine thereafter.

The whole area is about 1/16 inch above sea level, so these people know how to cope with flooding. They really didn't need much outside help.

Jeff