Evacuations Underway in New Orleans
Several hundred ambulance crews from across the country have been busy the past few days assisting with evacuations as Gustav barrels toward New Orleans.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered, and EMS officials say residents are heeding the warning.
"People started lining up hours before the city-provided buses and public Transit started operating," said Jeb Tate, New Orleans EMS spokesman on Sunday.
Ambulance crews were assisting with evacuating nursing home patients as well as special needs residents. They will be helping in shelters as well.
"We have more than 300 ambulances in the region. They've been here for a few days."
Hospitals, including Children's Hospital, have decided not to move their patients. Doctors and nurses have volunteered to stay behind.
Many of the most seriously ill children could not withstand the evacuation, officials said.
Ken Bouvier, past president of NAEMT, has been busy assisting with various evacuations in New Orleans. "It's been overwhelming. The roads are blocked as people are headed out of town."
Bouvier said it's been hectic. "My family is out of town and safe. I'm working like everyone else to help people get out of here."
Eleven ambulances and crews from Lifecare Medical Transports in Fredericksburg, Va. headed out Friday evening.
The crews that assisted during Hurricane Katrina were alerted by American Medical Response on behalf of FEMA.
"They usually call, and put us on standby. This time, we were told to go!"said Kevin Dillard, president.
With that order, he started pulling crews in off the road Friday afternoon. "I told them to go home, and pack a bag."
The trip to Louisiana takes about 20 hours. Right now, they don't know how long the deployment will last.
"One crew is assisting with evacuating the Lake Charles area where I helped during Rita," he said.
Other departments across the country have sent search and rescue teams. Maryland sent a helicopter.
