Physicians and medical rescue teams often first responders when disaster strikes
When a natural disaster strikes, resources in the community are often quickly overwhelmed. Two months ago, Hurricane Helene slammed multiple states, accelerating the scope of the disaster beyond what local officials and organizations were able to respond to. Search and rescue teams from across the country quickly mobilized to deliver urgently needed supplies and rescue efforts. A federal disaster was soon declared, which increased federal aid.
On Sept 24, 2024, two professors of emergency medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine deployed with Ohio Task Force 1, an 82-member specialized search and rescue team of first responders managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Daniel Bachmann, MD, clinical professor of Emergency Medicine and Nicholas Kman, MD, clinical professor of Emergency Medicine at the Ohio State College of Medicine, first deployed in Florida. After working for several days on the Gulf Coast of Florida just north of Tampa, they were relocated to western North Carolina. Their team of 82 task force members continued to provide specialized search and rescue support, including medical care to hurricane victims and fellow team members as they evacuated and rescued survivors.
Dr. Kman said the aftermath of Hurricane Helene caused a widespread catastrophe and cut-off access to hospitals and medical care in many areas.
“The scope of the storm and the geography that it covered was pretty historic," Dr. Kman says. “I’ve deployed six times to provide aid in the aftermath of hurricanes but Helene is the biggest in my 15 years on Ohio Task Force 1.”
The same could be said for Dr. Bachmann. He joined Task Force 1 in 2012, looking to combine his experience as a military physician with delivering urgent medical care to those in need in the surrounding region.
“There are a lot of crossovers from the work I did in the military to the work I do on the task force,” Dr. Bachmann says. “Helene left many communities in ruins. Catastrophic landslides along the mountain kept us constantly on the move, delivering much needed medical supplies to communities.”
Debris removal, power restoration and long-term recovery efforts continue after Hurricane Helene, but it could take years for families and communities to rebuild. Dr. Kman urges everyone to prepare disaster kits, safe shelters and know-how now in order to be prepared when the next calamity hits. Here is a list of items he recommends having on hand: a flashlight; batteries; cash; first aid supplies; medications; bottled water; canned foods; and other staples that don’t require refrigeration, like water for cooking or special preparation; a manual can opener; and copies of your critical information in case you need to evacuate.
Another important recommendation is to make a communication plan with family members in case there is a loss of power. Sending text messages is usually more reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines often become overloaded.
“I hope disaster never strikes you or your home,” Dr. Kman says. “But if it does, I hope these tips on preparedness help.”
