Sabine Pass, TX, September 14, 2008 -- A member of Indiana Task Force 1 walks through the streets looking for residents who need help following Hurricane Ike. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA
Insights from a Veteran Medical Specialist
After over two decades of service as a medical specialist in Florida’s urban search and rescue operations, I’ve witnessed the harrowing and transformative impacts of hurricanes on our communities. Now retired, I continue to be deeply involved as a fire commissioner, subject matter expert, educator, facilitator, industry research and development contributor, sharing my knowledge and experience to ensure we are better prepared for future challenges. The 2024 hurricane season is predicted to be exceptionally busy, with a higher-than-average number of storms expected. In this article, I will provide insights into our preparations, the importance of partnerships, and the collaborative efforts necessary to face these impending challenges.
The Team: A Cohesive Unit of Specialists
Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, both at the federal level under FEMA and at the state level (SUSAR), are composed of diverse and highly skilled specialists. These teams are crucial for effective disaster response, and their success depends on seamless coordination and mutual support. The core team includes:
- Medical Specialists: Providing emergency medical care to both victims and team members, ensuring their physical and mental well-being throughout the mission.
- Search and Rescue Technicians: Utilizing advanced equipment and techniques to locate and extricate victims trapped in collapsed structures or debris.
- Engineers: Assessing building integrity to ensure the safety of both victims and rescuers.
- Canine Teams: Highly trained dogs and their handlers play a vital role in quickly locating survivors in complex environments.
- Logistics Specialists: Managing the supply chain to ensure the availability of necessary equipment, food, water, and medical supplies.
- Communications Specialists: Maintaining clear and reliable communication channels, critical for effective coordination.
- Hazardous Materials Specialists: Identifying and mitigating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards to ensure a safe operational environment.
Medical Specialist and Team Care:
As a medical specialist, the primary mission is the health and well-being of team members. Once activated, the medical team is responsible for the physical health and mental well-being of the team or assigned squad, including our canine partners. Duties include:
Vital Checks and Monitoring: Each work rotation begins and ends with a vital check and brief interaction to log and monitor trends in health. This consistent monitoring helps catch potential issues early, ensuring everyone is fit for duty.
Mental Health Oversight: Watching for mental health issues that might affect team members, addressing stress, fatigue, and trauma promptly to maintain morale and effectiveness.
Emergency Medical Care: Provide immediate medical interventions, such as wound care, fracture stabilization, and advanced life support.
Health Assessments: Continuously monitoring the health of both victims and team members to prevent the spread of disease and manage chronic conditions exacerbated by the disaster.
Canine Care: Ensuring the well-being of our canine partners, addressing any medical issues, and ensuring proper nutrition and care.
The 2024 Hurricane Season: A Grim Forecast
Meteorologists predict that the 2024 hurricane season will be one of the busiest on record, with an anticipated higher-than-average number of storms. Factors contributing to this prediction include warmer ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions conducive to storm development.
Key Predictions:
- Increased Storm Frequency: More named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes compared to historical averages.
- Higher Intensity: The storms are expected to be more intense, with stronger winds and greater potential for catastrophic damage.
- Extended Duration: The season may start earlier and end later, prolonging the period of heightened alert and readiness.
Preparing for the Storms
Preparation for such an active hurricane season requires meticulous planning, training, and resource management. Here’s how to best gear up:
Training and Drills
Continuous training is essential to maintain our skills and readiness. This year, the training schedule has intensified to simulate the conditions expected during a busy hurricane season. Key components include:
- Simulated Scenarios: Conducting realistic drills that mimic the chaos and challenges of hurricane response, covering mass casualty incidents and hazardous material spills.
- Interdisciplinary Coordination: Joint exercises with other agencies, such as local fire departments, law enforcement, and the National Guard, to ensure seamless collaboration.
- Canine Training: Rigorous training for canine teams to maintain their ability to quickly locate survivors in complex environments.
Equipment and Supplies
Ensuring we have the right equipment and sufficient supplies is critical. This involves:
- Inventory Checks: Regular cache maintenance to update and check inventory to ensure all equipment is functional and up to date.
- Supply Chain Management: Establishing robust supply chains to guarantee access to necessary resources, even during prolonged operations.
- Advanced Equipment: Investing in advanced technology and equipment, such as drones for aerial surveillance and advanced medical kits for field care.
Community Engagement and Education
Preparation extends beyond our team to the communities we serve. Engaging with the public to enhance their preparedness is crucial. This includes:
- Public Workshops: Hosting workshops to educate the public on hurricane preparedness, including how to create emergency kits and evacuation plans.
- Information Dissemination: Using social media, local news, and community meetings to keep the public informed about potential threats and safety measures.
- Collaboration with Local Authorities: Working with local government and emergency services to coordinate evacuation plans and resource distribution.
The Role of Partnerships
The success of USAR operations hinges significantly on cultivating robust partnerships across diverse sectors. The Medical Special Operations Community (MSOC) aims to play a pivotal role in this by facilitating training, aiding, and offering resources within the medical community of urban search and rescue first responders and other all-hazards response personnel. By fostering collaboration with government entities, military units, and civilian organizations, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to disaster response.
Importance of Partnerships
- Government Agencies: Collaboration with FEMA and state emergency management agencies enhances resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Military: The military provides critical support in logistics, transportation, and additional manpower during large-scale disaster responses.
- Civilian Agencies: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private sector partners contribute essential resources, expertise, and support services.
- Interagency Cooperation: Working together across different agencies ensures a unified and effective response, maximizing the impact of our efforts and minimizing duplication.
Personal Preparedness and Resilience
On a personal level, each team member must also ensure their own preparedness and resilience. This includes:
- Family Preparedness Plans: Ensuring our families are safe and have a clear plan in place allows us to focus on our duties without additional worry.
- Physical Fitness: Maintaining peak physical condition is essential, as the demands of the job are physically taxing.
- Mental Health: The psychological toll of disaster response can be significant. We prioritize mental health through regular check-ins, access to counseling services, and fostering a supportive team environment that goes beyond deployment.
Facing the Storms Together
As we brace for the 2024 hurricane season, the importance of teamwork and community cannot be overstated. Every member of our task force understands the gravity of our mission and the trust placed in us by the communities we serve. We are united by a common purpose: to save lives and help our communities recover and rebuild in the aftermath of disaster.
Reflections on Two Decades of Service
Reflecting on my more than 20 years with the task force, I am reminded of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Each hurricane season brings its own challenges, but it also highlights the unwavering determination of individuals and communities to overcome adversity. I have seen neighborhoods come together, strangers become friends, and the indomitable will to survive and rebuild. In addition to my professional experience, I am also a hurricane survivor. I rode out Hurricane Ian, witnessing firsthand as it devastated my home and the entire neighborhood. The destruction was overwhelming, and the sense of loss profound. This personal encounter with the fury of a hurricane deepened my empathy and understanding for those affected by such disasters. I know the fear, the uncertainty, and the pain of rebuilding. My experiences drive my commitment to helping others navigate these challenging times, offering both professional expertise and heartfelt support.
Memorable Missions
Over the years, certain missions have left an indelible mark on me. It all began in 1992 with Hurricane Andrew. The 2004 Hurricane Charley, 2005 Hurricane Katrina, 2017 Hurricane Irma, and 2022 Hurricane Ian are just a few examples of the profound impact hurricanes can have. Each mission taught us valuable lessons and reinforced the importance of preparedness, adaptability, and compassion.
- Hurricane Charley (2004): This Category 4 hurricane caused widespread devastation in Southwest Florida including Pine Island. Our team was deployed to some of the hardest-hit areas, where we witnessed both heartbreaking loss and incredible resilience. The experience underscored the importance of rapid response and the critical role of community support networks.
- Hurricane Katrina (2005): Although primarily affecting Louisiana and Mississippi, the scale of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction saw our team deployed to assist in the aftermath. The overwhelming need for medical aid, search and rescue operations, and basic supplies was a stark reminder of the importance of nationwide collaboration and preparedness.
- Hurricane Irma (2017): This powerful storm impacted almost the entire state of Florida. Our task force was stretched thin, but the coordinated effort across multiple agencies and communities demonstrated the effectiveness of comprehensive planning and the strength of our collective resolve.
- Hurricane Ian (2022): A record-breaking Category 4 hurricane causing widespread devastation again in Southwest Florida including Pine Island, Sanibel Island, and most of Fort Myers Beach. Every Florida USAR team, both federal and state were deployed to the hardest-hit areas, where we witnessed incredible resilience in the survivors among their devastated neighborhoods. Those teams found their way to my home by air, while providing incredible support for the entire community until roads were finally rebuilt.
Looking Ahead: Hope and Determination
As we prepare for the 2024 hurricane season, there is a sense of determination and hope. We are better equipped, more experienced, and more connected than ever before. The challenges we face are significant, but so is our commitment to protecting and serving our communities.
The forecast of an unusually busy hurricane season is daunting, but it also serves as a rallying call for vigilance and preparedness. We continue to train, plan, and engage with our communities to ensure we are ready to meet whatever challenges come our way.
In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to my fellow team members, our partners in emergency services, fellow first responders, and the resilient communities we serve. Together, we will face the storms, learn to navigate, support each other through the aftermath, and emerge stronger on the other side. The spirit of unity and cooperation will guide us through the 2024 hurricane season and beyond, reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding lives and fostering hope in the face of adversity.
Joe Hernandez, EMTP, CCP, CTO
Joe Hernandez has 30 plus years of Public Safety and Disaster Response experience and currently serves as a Fire Commissioner with the Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District (MPIFCD) on Pine Island, Florida.
Upon the formation of FEMA and ESF-9 in the early 90’s he was assigned to the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Program serving the National Response System and S. Florida Task Force II as Medical Specialist and Coordinator, while responding to our nation’s most challenging disasters. Joe has participated and/or directed medical response efforts in numerous national and international mass casualty all-hazards disaster incidents including the OKC Bombing, Value Jet Crash, Puerto Rico Humberto Vidal Building Explosion, Atlanta World Olympics, World Trade Center Attacks, numerous Hurricanes from Andrew to Katrina to Ian, and the Haiti Earthquake in 2010.
Joe serves as an instructor in Fire Service, Technical Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services, and works as an international technical advisor, seasoned lecturer, and course developer. His expertise encompasses US&R, CBRNE, Disaster Emergency Medical Services, and Tactical programs. Joe has developed and taught courses for a diverse array of local, state, and federal agencies, the U.S. Department of Defense, universities, conferences, and seminars both across the United States and internationally.
References:
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
- NOAA National Hurricane Center. (2005).Hurricane Katrina advisory archive. Retrieved from https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/KATRINA.shtml
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2005).FEMA’s response to Hurricane Katrina. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/disaster/1603
- National Geographic. (n.d.).Hurricane Katrina: Facts, damage & aftermath. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/reference/hurricane-katrina
Hurricane Charley (2004)
- NOAA National Hurricane Center. (2004). Hurricane Charley advisory archive. Retrieved from https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/CHARLEY.shtml
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2004). FEMA response to Hurricane Charley. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/disaster/1539
- Weather.com. (2020, August 13). Hurricane Charley: Remembering the storm. Retrieved from https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2020-08-13-hurricane-charley-2004-remembering-florida
Hurricane Irma (2017)
- NOAA National Hurricane Center. (2017).Hurricane Irma advisory archive. Retrieved from https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2017/IRMA.shtml
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2017).FEMA’s response to Hurricane Irma. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4337
- (n.d.).Hurricane Irma: Path of destruction. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/specials/hurricane-irma
Hurricane Ian (2022)
- NOAA National Hurricane Center. (2022).Hurricane Ian advisory archive. Retrieved from https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2022/IAN.shtml
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2022).FEMA response to Hurricane Ian. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4673
- BBC News. (2022).Hurricane Ian: Impact and aftermath. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63093430
General Resources
- NOAA National Hurricane Center. (n.d.).NOAA NHC homepage. Retrieved from https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (n.d.).FEMA homepage. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/
- State Urban Search and Rescue Association (SUSAR). (n.d.) SUSAR homepage. Retrieved from https://www.susar.org
- Medical Special Operations Community (MSOC). (n.d.) MSOC homepage. Retrieved from https://www.medspecops.org
- National Geographic. (n.d.).Natural disasters reference. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters