New Orleans EMS Leaders Share Lessons Learned from Katrina
BALTIMORE, MD -- While many public safety officers in New Orleans were no-shows during the height of Hurricane Katrina, all EMS personnel reported for duty, and remained on the job helping people despite not knowing the status of their own loved ones.
That news, announced during JEMS' EMS Today seminar Wednesday night, brought thunderous applause from several hundred EMS providers.
Long before the levies broke and flooded his hometown, New Orleans Special Events Coordinator Ken Bouvier said he just had a gut feeling that the big one was on the way. But, he said he never imagined how lives would be changed forever.
Likewise, EMS Director Dr. Jullette Saussy said when she left her house, she had an eerie feeling. EMS crews worked in the trenches in the hot sun, trying to assist people while not knowing if their own families had survived. They also fell victim to sunburn, injuries, violence and stress as they struggled to rescue the elderly and frail, crying, dehydrated babies and others.
The crowd applauded and a few whistled when Bouvier said he told President Bush that he should remember the sacrifices of EMS, and put them on par with firefighters and police.
Bouvier said he and other emergency officials were keeping a close eye on the storm, and preparing for the worst. They had lived through hurricanes in the past, but nothing could have prepared crews for the levy failures and drowning city.
"When those levies failed, our city was in trouble," Bouvier said, adding that he knew people out there were struggling to stay alive. Boats designed to carry six to eight were holding 20, and tempers flared when people were told to wait for the next craft.
Crews were working in various areas of the city. But without any type of communication, they were oblivious to conditions across town. Ice chests became flotation devices, while laundry bins, dollies and shopping carts were used to help transport the sick, injured and elderly.
"We had no communications whatsoever. No radios, no cell phones, nothing," Dr. Saussy said, adding that some people with Blackberries were able to get out periodically.
Early on, the EMS commanders realized that if they were going to help people, they first had to rescue themselves. Their supplies had been destroyed, and most of the ambulances were lost in flood waters. One crew set up headquarters in a Catholic nursing home compound. It would be their only home for weeks.
Dr. Saussy said there's a closer bond now between EMS and firefighters in New Orleans. Living in close quarters gave them a better appreciation for each other.
The crowd was silent as images of frantic, starving, sun-burned people were shown on wide screens. The EMS director said the situation unfolding in front of her was beyond her imagination. "This was total societal breakdown. Did you ever think you'd see something like this in America?"
In addition to hysterical, frightened people pushed beyond their limits in the scorching sun without water and food, there were mental patients without their medications, drug addicts and alcoholics.
Triage, as most things during Katrina, was altered to meet the challenges. And, for Dr. Saussy, the military was just one more thing added to the mix. After being shunned by FEMA workers and people wearing camouflage, she finally was informed that the general wanted to meet her.
Their first meeting didn't go well when she made a suggestion. "...It was ugly," she laughed, explaining that the general soon learned not to turn his ear away from a woman who hadn't slept in five days. Her comments drew laughter and applause.
While they did work together to get things done, it was clear that the military wasn't used to being questioned, even about the most simple things. "When I asked him where the helicopters were taking the people they were picking up, he said it was none of my f...... business."
Bouvier said triage, among other things were modified, and crews quickly adapted. "You were either sick or not sick..."
In addition to the usual trauma shears, penlights and gloves, many EMS crews started carrying guns. Dr. Saussy said she reluctantly packed for a few days. Pictures showed firefighters toting rifles.
Mark Reis, deputy EMS director, said it's too early to tell Katrina's impact on responders. Dealing with the death and suffering day in and day out was just too much for some.
After working in the trenches from sun up to sundown, the crews would report back to base camp for something to eat and catch some shut eye, but most importantly, to unwind, defuse and talk about their day. Some couldn't function not knowing how their families were doing.
When President Bush visited New Orleans, Bouvier said he reminded him that Katrina had impacted not only his city, but Texas, Mississippi and Alabama as well.
As the next hurricane season approaches, the EMS commanders said there is much work to do. Communications was a major problem. And, Reis said that remains a concern.
