Through Hell and High Water
from
Jane Hansen, Atlanta Journal Constitution
on
June 6, 2006
Website:
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/twohospitals/entries/2006/05/05/about_the_series.h
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Some of you may remember a helicopter ride we took to New Orleans a couple of days after Katrina. While I did a write-up for the ARRL about what I personally saw and heard, there is so much more to the operation and it really is a story that needs to be told and learned from.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is running a 22-day series about the evacuation of Tulane and Charity hospitals, both in downtown New Orleans. We played only a bit part in it as evidenced by the 1-paragraph mention of us in chapter 9; that is fine by me. The story is about the real heroes: the doctors and nurses, paramedics, maintenance workers, medical students and orderlies that rode the storm out with the patients and then went through hell and high water to save as many as they could in the absence of even rudimentary facilities and
utilities. The fact that the vast majority of patients did survive the storm and subsequent evacuation under unimaginable conditions is the most telling evidence of their skill and professionalism. It was an honor to be allowed to share a rooftop with them.
You can access the story from the newspaper's main page by going to www.ajc.com and clicking on the "Hell and High Water" graphic link which will take you to the current day's installment or by going to the summary page link below and choosing the various chapters from the drop-down.
As a side note, they did use a couple of my photos in chapter 16, including the one of the Chinook hovering while framed by the skyline and smoke of a dying city plus one of the evacuees waiting in line to be airlifted off the garage; I understand that a few more may pop up as the series draws to a close. Forgive me if I'm proud of this, but I've never had any of my photos used in a major newpaper before and even the ones printed in QST magazine were submitted as low-quality re-sized JPGs that had been taken off my website without permission.
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Through Hell and High Water
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by N6AJR on June 6, 2006
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good job,
as a retired Emergency Service Supervisor, I know of the amazement of which you speak. Its a wonder as to what we can do for others when the need arrises.
I find most folks in the emergency businesses whether its an emergency room staff member, a cop, a fireman or other that does this kind of work, thinks it is actually fun.
I guess we are all adrenaline junkies. Nothing like having to do it now, do it right or some one may die, to get the old heart pumping. its more fun than going up side down on a roller coaster. Some times I think we would do this for free as it fills a need in one's self.
not every one is cut out for this type of work, but God bless those who are.
good job
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We all knen that the big one was coming.
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by AI2IA on June 6, 2006
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Most people living in or around New Orleans, or people with a curious nature and an interest in New Orleans, knew that it was located in a bad spot. Even today, it would be best, although it may not be at all practical or possible, for that area to be returned to nature as a big salt marsh. Any storms crashing into it would be attenuated and drained with a benefit to wildlife and little or no harm to people. Some places just are not suitable for human habitat. Sadly we experienced the predicted results. Hopefully, the tales about it and the reflections on it may help in the event that it is repeated.
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W9WHE-II on June 6, 2006
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"The story is about the real heroes: the doctors and nurses, paramedics, maintenance workers, medical students and orderlies that rode the storm out with the patients and then went through hell and high water to save as many as they could in the absence of even rudimentary facilities and utilities"
Its nice to read a story that gives credit where credit is due and NOT to the emcomm wannabees that can save millions of lives and prevent billions in property damage with nothing more then an HT, orange vest and tin badge.
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by AI4KK on June 6, 2006
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For those of you that missed it (the missing letters at the end), the correct URL for the above link is http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/twohospitals/entries/2006/05/05/about_the_series.html, epecially since it's been a while since that article was submitted and there is no longer a link on the front page unless you want to pay for it.
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by AI4KK on June 7, 2006
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Jonathan, spew your poison and hatred elsewhere; you're just making yourself look stupid. I posted this to give praise to those who pulled off a difficult and dangerous operation, not to give you a platform to slam on ham operators from.
The truth is that as small a role as we played in this operation, it was still an important one as is nearly every other role in something like this. Withouth the nurses, patients would have died, without the cooks, the nurses would have had to cook and patients might still have died or else everyone would have gone hungry and without communications the helicopters might not have come to get everyone out of there. We are all small but necessary cogs in a large machine and nobody wants adulation or thanks, just a simple cessation of hostilities.
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by K2GW on June 7, 2006
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>>Jonathan, spew your poison and hatred elsewhere; you're just making yourself look stupid. I posted this to give praise to those who pulled off a difficult and dangerous operation, not to give you a platform to slam on ham operators from.
>>The truth is that as small a role as we played in this operation, it was still an important one as is nearly every other role in something like this.
Hear, Hear!
We used to say in the Air Force that everyone on the team, including the mechanics, cooks, paper jockeys, and controllers, rides in the cockpit with you. That's true in Public Safety Emergency Operations as well.
It would be great if our Public Safety Agencies could have absolute bullet-proof, multi-agency communciations systems whose manufacturers would guarantee that they would handle any communication loads under any possible circumstance. Of course, such systems don't exist, so Amateur Radio operators do stand ready, along with others, to help back them up if needed.
We're just a small part of the overall effort, but it's silly to disparage anything that might assist in bringing help to the victims of disaster. To do so only shows one total lack of concern for the welfare of others.
73
Gary, K2GW
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W6TH on June 7, 2006
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While in combat facing the enemy, I was told that there were nine men standing behing me to give full support. I asked for one of the nine men to exchange places with me, there were no volunteers.
I say, thanks for a job well done.
W6TH
.:
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Through Hell and High Water
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by N1GXC on June 7, 2006
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This whole mess could have been avoided if the mental misfits in New Orleans had elected a qualified individual as mayor or used their own good instincts. I'm an average person living two states away with no formal weather training and I would have had that town cleared out three days before the hurricane arrived. Now it's all sobs, tears and complaints. I live in an active hurricane area and I don't need to be told at all by the local clowns when it's time to get out.
But...it does make a good disaster story and give's the local's and fed's a glimpse at what the public has known for years. If your counting on someone else to save your butt, think again.
Thanks for your contribution to the disaster relief. Thousands of ordinary people have given a great deal to the relief effort. I just wonder why it was necessary in the first place.
Dan
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by N0SAP on June 7, 2006
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As a lifelong resident of New Orleans up to seven years ago, I have to agree with Dan, N1GXC. The sad part is the same mentality challenged leaders were recently re-elected. This is just the political nature of the people of New Orleans, and Louisiana. Now all we can do is hope the lessons of Katrina will not happen again. I have my doubts.
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W9PMZ on June 8, 2006
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"While in combat facing the enemy, I was told that there were nine men standing behing me to give full support. I asked for one of the nine men to exchange places with me, there were no volunteers. "
What in the world does this have to do with anything???
Even if someone did trade, you would be on of the nine behind your replacement. In all organizations there are support roles that enable the people on the front lines.
The effort to provide relief to the areas that were affected by this storm was a job well done, by all. There are of course areas that could be improved upon; but in the random chaos that the situation deals, you just can't anticipate all problems. You just have to deal with them as best as possible. And most of all, learn from the mistakes.
73,
Carl - W9PMZ
I say, thanks for a job well done.
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W6TH on June 8, 2006
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W9PMZ mentions my point of view.
"While in combat facing the enemy, I was told that there were nine men standing behing me to give full support. I asked for one of the nine men to exchange places with me, there were no volunteers. "
What in the world does this have to do with anything???
---------------------------------------------------
Very simple if you read it correctly. Exactly what has been mentioned and the political nature of politics and people.
The only helping hand you will find will be at the end of your own arm.
Think about it W9PMZ or shall I write you a clear letter for more explanation???
.:
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by AI4KK on June 8, 2006
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I think some folks missed the point that when the evacuation orders came, most of these people were either in a hospital and too sick to leave without risking their health and life or were in charge of taking care of those too sick to leave and were duty-bound to stay.
Either way, they had no real choice but to stay and ride things out. That's not stupidity on anyone's part, that's just life.
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W9PMZ on June 8, 2006
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"Think about it W9PMZ or shall I write you a clear letter for more explanation??? "
Well, my initial reaction is that your not all there because it seems to me that people that have this attitude believe that they are a gift to the population and that the population should worship their feet because they are the only person who is important and they will never recgnoize that fact that there are others that contribute to make their endeavous successful.
But I am giving you the benefit of doubt......
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W6TH on June 8, 2006
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W9PMZ,
I guess your statements include our forefathers that had set a good living condition for you and seems you are not in favor of your freedom or yet the price paid for your well being. Living in your state of mind indicates that you are willing to give up your freedom for the security of ones body, your body.
You are one helluva American, I can vouch for that..Now I am giving you the benefit of doubt...
.:
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W9PMZ on June 8, 2006
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"include our forefathers "
At least you got that right, plural.
Our forefathers worked together as a team, Americans, to create what we have today. And 200 years from now our descendants will be thanking us for what we are doing today to continue the American Dream.
73,
Carl - W9PMZ
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W6TH on June 8, 2006
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W9PMZ,
This is the only American team I know of; The 101st airborne, called the screaming Eagles.
For Those That Fought For It, Freedom Has A Taste And A Meaning, The Protected Will Never Know.
Where do you fit in Carl???..The Protected???
You can't live without a government, someone to control you, but the difference is I can.
.:
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by W9WHE-II on June 9, 2006
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"For Those That Fought For It, Freedom Has A Taste And A Meaning, The Protected Will Never Know".
Amen.
This is America...land of the free BECAUSE of the brave!
W9WHE
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RE: Through Hell and High Water
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by KC5CQD on June 19, 2006
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***W9PMZ,
This is the only American team I know of; The 101st airborne, called the screaming Eagles.
For Those That Fought For It, Freedom Has A Taste And A Meaning, The Protected Will Never Know.
Where do you fit in Carl???..The Protected???
You can't live without a government, someone to control you, but the difference is I can.***
Being a vet myself, I understood you just fine, Vito. Although the efforts of those nine behind you are much needed and appreciated; you're the one that's going to ultimately pay with his life. Although the nine behind you may feel really bad for their mistake that may have cost you your life, they'll still be alive. The grunt always pays the ultimate price. That's what Vito meant. No paper pusher would ever swap places with an infantryman/tanker or artilleryman.
As for our forefathers; they all had a price on their heads for what they did. Each of them would have been hanged as traitors by King George III if we had lost. They were ballsy, indeed!
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