West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services

West Virginia Ambulance Strike Team

Posted: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 11:11 AM

West Virginia provided an ambulance strike team, under the FEMA-AMR contract, to Louisiana to assist with Hurricane Gustav.  The five-ambulance strike team was provided by Cabell County EMS, Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority and Logan Emergency Ambulance Service Authority.  Staff members, 12 total, from each agency volunteered for a ten-day deployment.  The team departed August 30th and returned September 8th.  Crews provided patient evacuation and repatriation over a wide area of southern Louisiana - the shortest transport was 200 miles.  Duty cycles extended to 39 hours.

The Office of EMS thanks CCEMS, KCEAA, and LEASA for their willingness to provide resources.  OEMS commends the following EMTs and Paramedics for their dedication and commitment: James Albright, Kraig Barker, Ray Bryant, Wayne Harmon, Mike Hensley, Kyle Hinzman, Dave Kidd, Rusty Mills, Chuck Peoples, Dave Perry, Shawn Smith, and Chad Ward.

Pictures are posted in the gallery.