Kentucky EMS crews completing major rescue operation Monday in New Orleans

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

LOUISVILLE — While the news is reporting that only the dead are left in New Orleans, hurricane Katrina EMS relief crews from Kentucky are actually planning a major rescue operation for Monday.

According to Kentucky Board of EMS Executive Director Brian Bishop, a major EMS rescue operation is starting up in the area of the Interstate 10 and Interstate 610 split under the direction of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Rescuers in boats, accompanied by armed personnel, will be evacuating those stranded in the area and then transporting them to shelters and a Medivac unit north of New Orleans by bus, ambulances, and aircraft.

The rescue operation is expected to take all day.

"Morale seems to be good," Bishop said of the Kentucky EMS responders participating in the relief efforts.

Bishop said that, starting tomorrow, preparations for relief crews in the area will begin with deployment anticipated for next week. Any ambulance service directors wishing to assist with personnel and/or vehicles can contact the KBEMS office.

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