EMS on front line when disaster strikes

Unbelievable devastation. Bloody survivors looking for family and friends. Rescuers search through debris in hopes of finding someone alive.

We take those rescuers for granted, the EMS responders who were first on the scene in Moore, Oklahoma, many, we're sure, climbing from the debris of their own homes or offices on their way to help others.

But respond they do, and they're proving it again today in Oklahoma, like they did at the Boston Marathon bombing, after Hurricane Sandy, after the fertilizer plant explosion in Texas, and countless other disaster.

As in Texas, sometimes the quick response is costly.

"Dozens of EMS responders give their lives every year in the service to our communities and nation," said Nicole Lurie, M.D., HHS assistant secretary for preparedness and response.

"Those who remain continue to take pride in being the people we can depend on even in difficult and dangerous situations," Lurie said.

In small towns like McCook, those difficult and dangerous situations are often fires, and all full-time firefighters along with the fire chief and five volunteers are paramedics. The McCook Fire Department comprises a full-time fire chief, seven full-time firefighters, a full-time administrative assistant and 27 volunteer firefighter / EMS providers.

The MFD responds to fire calls within the city limits, with Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department covering rural fires. McCook's EMS response area covers about 320 square miles, ranging from the Kansas-Nebraska border to approximately 16 miles north of McCook, from the Red Willow-Hitchcock County line to about four miles east of McCook.

If necessary, it also responds to service outside its jurisdiction through local mutual aid agreements.

For the most recent year available, local EMS responded to 714 calls and 157 fire calls.

McCook is not unique, of course, and the local EMS system is repeated thousands of times across the country.

And, with every disaster comes an opportunity to hone skills and establish links between response agencies.

"To become better prepared, the nation is moving increasingly toward building coalitions bringing together EMS providers, public health agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, health care providers, home health agencies, emergency management agencies and local businesses," Dr. Lurie said. "EMS is a critical partner in our health care system, so I encourage EMS professionals to take an active role in helping communities forge and strengthen these partnerships," she said. "Given the regular interaction EMS responders have with them, organizations in the community, EMS is uniquely positioned to bring potential partners together to plan and minimize the impact that disasters have on health," Lurie said.

Not everyone can help rescue survivors or clean up and rebuild when a disaster like the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado strikes, but everyone can help those who are on the scene.

Among the first on the scene are the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. You can contribute to the Red Cross by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division is collecting donations and has dispatched disaster teams to the site. Donations can be made by phone: (800) 725-2769, or text STORM to 80888 to donate $10 to recovery and relief efforts in Moore, Oklahoma.

Donations can also be mailed to: The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Please designate Oklahoma Tornado Relief on all checks.