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Local Firefighters, Paramedics return from Joplin
Rescue dogs from the Florissant Valley FPD search debris in Joplin
Florissant Valley Fire Protection District Sent
Members to Joplin to Aid Rescue & Recovery
By Mark Flauter
Chief Medical Officer
FV Fire Protection District
The Florissant Valley Fire Protection District sent seven firefighter/paramedics to Joplin, Mo., to serve in various capacities in the rescue and recovery efforts following the devastating tornado that struck Joplin on May 22. Firefighter/Paramedics Glenn Craig, Bob Tresch, Chris Alber, Frank Lipski, Eric Giessing, Nick Aubuchon, and John Herman all deployed to Joplin in various capacities.
Firefighter/Paramedic Glenn Craig and his search dog, Sabra, were deployed as part of the Missouri Region C Canine Team.
Once in Joplin, the Canine team went right to work searching debris piles and destroyed buildings for those who were missing. The task was more difficult due to the cool and rainy weather prohibiting human scents from moving and rising for the dogs to track. Later in the day, thunderstorms with lightning moved into the area, making the search more difficult due to the large amount of metal debris in the area.
When searching resumed later in the morning of May 24, the weather had turned hot and humid, which was good for scent movement and tracking, but it was hard on the dogs, physically. Several of the dogs had to receive intravenous fluids due to dehydration. Three of the dogs suffered from organic phosphate poisoning, possibly caused by the pesticides used in surrounding fields blown into the debris by the high winds.
The team returned to St. Louis on May 25,, but re-deployed to Joplin again May 31. Once again, they encountered the hot and humid conditions that made it so difficult on the dogs during the second day of the first deployment. The team returned to St. Louis on June 3. During the two deployments, the Canine Team was credited with 12 finds. “The amount of destruction was overwhelming,” said Glenn.
Firefighter/Paramedics Bob Tresch and Chris Alber deployed as part of the Ambulance Task Force sent from St. Louis on May 25. They took one of the district’s spare ambulances and were one of 15 ambulances in the Task Force.
Their primary function was to transport patients from one of the temporary hospitals set up by the Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team to more definitive care in either Springfield or Kansas City. The ambulances of the task force also augmented local services committed to rescue operations and responded to the numerous 9-1-1 calls.
Late on May 23, Strike Teams from the St. Louis Metro Urban Search and Rescue Task Force mobilized for deployment to Joplin to assist in rescue efforts. Four FVFPD members— Lipski, Giessing, Aubuchon, and Herman— deployed with the task force from St. Louis County. The purpose of these teams is to have rapid local response to any disaster or call for additional resources that may arise.
Once in Joplin, half of the team went to search a large apartment complex, while the other half of the team searched nearby homes and debris piles for survivors. Throughout their 48-hour deployment, the team received many similar assignments to search for survivors in large buildings and subdivisions destroyed. During the searches, members would find small items, such as a picture or blanket, that they would return to the families to provide them something of value.
The team members worked long days with little rest in an attempt to find people alive and trapped within the debris. While doing so, they also attempted to do whatever they could to help the residents of Joplin to get back on their feet.
Frank Lipski, one of the members deployed with the team, said “These men and women give their time and effort, so when disaster strikes they are ready and able to help.”
