EMS CALL FOR BOATS TO HELP HURRICANE RESCUE EFFORTS

Posted: 12:21 p.m. ET
CNN's Fran Fifis at the New Orleans Airport

Joe Bradshaw from Kentucky EMS (on scene command for search and rescue off Interstate 10) says "we need boats." Bradshaw says 80 boats rescued 28 people on Sunday and 18 people and three dogs on Monday. He says they have plenty of medical personnel today, but only 10 boats. Their goal is to put a doctor on every boat.

Joe,

I am writing to you from Padang on the west coast of Sumatra. We have been cut off by landslides that took out our power and phones last week and have just got back on line to learn more about the hurricane aftermath in your area. Hope this gets to you but understand if you are flat out with rescue efforts.

Saw an article about your call for more boats in the news.

We faced a somewhat similar situation in the days after the Aceh tsunami.
Our solution was to hire an old floating casino (ex harbour ferry) and set it up with beach landing boats, aid and medical teams. We made sure we had a sat phone with internet connection on board to ensure good co-ordination with others.

My partner Jane and I had no previous disaster experience but we could not stand watching the big agencies and the government drag their feet while people were suffering. ELM started from nothing on the 26th of December and never had a problem keeping our ship flat out helping people. Ended up staying in Aceh and Nias for almost 5 months.

Our time in the field convinced us that boats supported by a mothership is the most effective way to bring support and keep it in place. Choppers can take out the sick and injured but you cant beat having people on the ground in boats to check every house for survivors or those in desperate need. We delivered over 650tons of aid and treated over 7,300 victims of the quakes and tsunamis. Along with our partners University Volunteers International, we have hosted over 200 volunteer aid workers to date. In a word, our concept worked very well and could be applied in other disaster areas.

From what little I can see via the internet, Florida air boats would be the best water vehicles for the job. Outboard boats are second choice but you will have a lot of prop fouling to deal with. Not sure if you can get shallow draft casino boats up rivers or canals as don't have maps and not sure of bridges down etc.

If we can help with practical advice please let me know. I am avail on my mobile number 24/7



Rick Cameron ELM Mission Co-ordinator - Padang, West Sumatra