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Medevac Airlifts Unavailable in Gulf Coast Region
Updated: 09-26-2005 05:47:40 PM
GEORGE PAWLACZYK
Biloxi Sun Herald Distributed by the Associated Press
If more ambulances and a medical evacuation helicopter promised by federal and state officials are not delivered soon, residents of Harrison and Hancock counties with medical emergencies could wait up to an hour before help arrives.
That's the grim prediction of Steve Delahousey, Harrison County medical disaster officer.
For at least two weeks, said Delahousey, government medical evacuation helicopters have not been available in the Biloxi-Gulfport area.
"There are zero medevac choppers on the Gulf Coast. They have all been pulled," he said in an interview Sunday.
About two weeks ago, according to Delahousey, the lack of an available medical evacuation helicopter delayed the transport of two utility workers who fell from a bucket loader on a dirt road in a remote part of Harrison County.
"So instead of taking a few minutes to get these victims to a place where they can be treated," he said, "it took an hour or so of driving over bumpy roads."
John McAdams, the Harrison County chancery clerk who is functioning as a county emergency logistical team leader, confirmed the choppers have been missing for at least two weeks. He said a helicopter and 28 more ambulances are needed if medical emergency response times are to remain near the pre-Katrina norm of about eight minutes.
Rest Here: Clicky
Updated: 09-26-2005 05:47:40 PM
GEORGE PAWLACZYK
Biloxi Sun Herald Distributed by the Associated Press
If more ambulances and a medical evacuation helicopter promised by federal and state officials are not delivered soon, residents of Harrison and Hancock counties with medical emergencies could wait up to an hour before help arrives.
That's the grim prediction of Steve Delahousey, Harrison County medical disaster officer.
For at least two weeks, said Delahousey, government medical evacuation helicopters have not been available in the Biloxi-Gulfport area.
"There are zero medevac choppers on the Gulf Coast. They have all been pulled," he said in an interview Sunday.
About two weeks ago, according to Delahousey, the lack of an available medical evacuation helicopter delayed the transport of two utility workers who fell from a bucket loader on a dirt road in a remote part of Harrison County.
"So instead of taking a few minutes to get these victims to a place where they can be treated," he said, "it took an hour or so of driving over bumpy roads."
John McAdams, the Harrison County chancery clerk who is functioning as a county emergency logistical team leader, confirmed the choppers have been missing for at least two weeks. He said a helicopter and 28 more ambulances are needed if medical emergency response times are to remain near the pre-Katrina norm of about eight minutes.
Rest Here: Clicky