Theos-Talk Archives (September 2005 Message tt00080)

Bart,Certainly there was a report of that,but is that true for all over the 
region, or was it an isolated incident, that can be used to justify delays 
in getting to people?
As someone who is heavily involved in emergency proceedures with the 
RNLI (equivant to your US Coastgaurd rescue service)and also as a First Aid 
trainer with St Andrews Ambulance Association AND St John Ambulance Brigade, 
It is our priority to save life , certainly you maintain your safety but 
there are times when you have to go in to a situation where your concern is 
for the casualty.and you will do what ever it takes to get them to safety.In 
the RNLI we have an unofficial motto when we get a "shout".it is "we've got 
to go, we dont need to come back."
In the case of looters shooting at rescue workers it would suggest that 
they did not want rescued. I am sure there were others nearby that could 
have needed help. Which would strongly suggest other reasons some one trying 
to cover their backside. But this detracts to the many people who are doing 
their utmost to get as many people out of that horrific situation to all of 
those we should praise them, back them all the way in the exhausting and 
harrowing tasks that they face.
The Emergency Planning(EP) for this disaster leaves much to be 
desired.The scale of which was clearly underestimated.Sufficient warning was 
available,the technology at your disposal the early warning system were 
working we knew about hurricane Katrina days before it occured, we tracked 
it on satelite, here in the UK its point of impact was predicted, the after 
effects also predicted.The EP had enough time to get essential equipment and 
materiel,emergency rations,Shelters,bodybags.and much more should have been 
in suitable locations so that it was all near at hand with key personel on 
standby, all this should have been cleared up within two/three days maximum. 
(that is people not property )
Priority 
1) save lives(fatalities will occur,all endevours to minimize
--
2)Maintain lives(ensure food,water,shelter, available)

3)Evacuate where nessesary( immediate life threatning, increasing risk of 
life endangerment,no immediate threat

4)Medical triage( HospitalsTemp Surgeries/field dressingcentres/First Aid 
Posts, holding centres.mortuaries

5)Casualty disposal. rest areas/centres,eg church halls, municipal halls, 
tented village/camp

6) relative information centre
Second 
Phase.Priority 1)Make area safe.stabilize buildings,remove any danger

2) Removal and record debris(cadivers/body parts)

3)repair infrastucture.(short term nessesaries)

4) Infection/desease control. decontaminate

5)secure area
(long term) Third Phase Priority 1) 
Specialist equipment, heavy lifting gear,personel &etc.

2) clear roads.clear fresh water supply/sewage plants

3) return utility supplies

This is only a basic plan but it is easily implemented.
cheers Iain



From: "Bart Lidofsky" <bartl@sprynet.com>
To: <theos-talk@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 1:11 AM
Subject: Re: Theos-World US Senator David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, 
gave a grade "F" ....


> Iain wrote:
> > Rioting , looting and lawlessness are occurring .rescue of
> > people has been stopped so that police can deal with looters...WHAT ARE 
> > THE
> > PRIORITIES? Do you save a life or a TV SET!!! The material stuff will be
> > insured it will be written off as 1)soiled2) damaged, so big deal! Why 
> > are
> > more lives not being saved? Is it because it is the Frail, 
> > elderly,Infirm,
> > the poorest of the poor.The cannon-fodder of society, All are 
> > expendable.to
> > the big business .idiom.
> The looters are shooting at the rescue workers, keeping them from
> rescuing those who need it.
>
> Bart
>
>
>
>
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