October 12, 2024

• Crews across Florida and North Carolina were busy through the week. We’re aware that some of that has slowed down this weekend.
• The Tampa crews got a new base camp yesterday evening. Thanks to our Logistics team who worked very hard to find a place for our teams to stay together.
• We have been working through crew swaps in both states this weekend. We appreciate the teams who choose to stay and those who have worked with us the past 14 days. 
• We continue to be proud of our work in the field; in the last few days our deployed teams have worked a code save and delivered a healthy baby.
• Thanks to each of you for all you have done to support people and communities impacted by these storms in need of hope and healing.

October 10, 2024

Florida

• All deployed teams are safe and accounted for in all air and ground branches, no unmet needs.
• At 0230 all ambulances assigned to the state and HCA were dispatched to St. Petersburg area to help with critical hospital evacuations, which appears to be primary focus for now. 
• 1 Task Force is assigned to the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams conducting assessments now 
• Damage assessments and resource needs are still in very early stages, and we continue to ready our air ambulance teams for support as the needs unfold today

North Carolina 

• We continue supporting local 911 operations with over 170 responses in the last 24hrs
• We expect the state to make small changes in the ambulance count regularly but do not expect any major changes
• Crew rotations are planned to begin this weekend, please make sure you are talking to your strike team leader (STL) and task force leader (TFL) regularly and completing the information requests we send

October 8, 2024

• The South Carolina branch has moved to Florida and began responding to missions locally yesterday. There are a number of hospital evacuations happening that our ground crews are supporting now.
• All our air assets have been moved to staging in Florida as well.
• We have identified centralized areas for all our strike teams in Florida where they will ride out Hurricane Milton. We have highly trained safety officers both on the ground and at our national command center who are monitoring the storm conditions in real time and are in consultation with state officials about when to relocate. Once our safety team determines it's time, all Florida crews will be directed to their assigned location to safely ride out the storm.
• Our teams in North Carolina continue responding to calls and providing critical care and support to residents. Daily briefings have been scheduled for those who are available and would like additional information about local operations.

Hurricane Milton Safety and Risk Updates

Hurricane Milton currently has sustained winds of 145mph. This storm is a major hurricane, current strength is a Category 4, although it did slightly weaken after land interaction. The path of this storm is growing in confidence for landfall somewhere near the Tampa Bay area, with all of the panhandle of Florida within the cone. 

Power Outages

• When driving, if you approach an intersection where traffic signals are inoperable, the intersection is a 4-WAY STOP.
• Watch for downed power lines and consider all wires/power lines energized. DO NOT DRIVE OVER WIRES or attempt to move them.
  • Charge electronic devices, including battery backups.
  • Verify flashlights are in working order.

Scanning Roadways

As you drive, be mindful of the amount of rain we are predicted to receive, high winds and trees/debris will impact the ability to traverse roadways.

Building Safety

• Never use a generator inside.
• Prepare NOW.
  • Elevate items off the floor.
  • Secure loose items outside.
  • Test backup generators.
  • Have water/snacks available for employees.
• Damage to GMR buildings MUST be reported to your Regional Safety Representative as soon as it is safe to evaluate damages.

October 6, 2024

Please review the crew swaps messaging distributed on Sat., Oct. 5 for the latest on our deployment plans.

October 5, 2024

• Together, Global Medical Response Office of Emergency Management (GMR OEM) and American Medical Response Office of Emergency Management (AMR OEM) have responded to almost 1,700 calls across 22 counties in 3 states since deployment began.
• Our teams in North Carolina remain very busy, so task force and branch leaders are checking on the teams down range. We expect our first meal to be prepared on site this evening at our Asheville Forward Operating Base (FOB).
• Leaders in South Carolina continue working hard to support teams that are waiting to deploy.

Important Social Media and Media Guidelines

Please remember that while you’re deployed, you are representing AMR OEM. And regardless of your role, everyone deployed could come into contact with individuals in desperate need of assistance or medical care. Many of these individuals have lost their homes, prized possessions and/or loved ones as a result of this disaster. This is important as you consider what you are saying or posting about this deployment.

Media guidelines

• No interviews or interactions with the media should be conducted by field personnel under any circumstances. Instead, direct any media inquiries or interview requests to the Public Information Officer (PIO).
• Any media representatives who approach you should be referred to the Deployment PIO, Chris Chaplin via the phone number sent via email or media@gmr.net.

Social media guidelines

• Do not share content that looks negatively upon the brand or the important work that deployed teams are doing.
• Do not show the FEMA logo in any way in photos or video footage.
• Do not say that you are being deployed by FEMA or HHS.
• Avoid sharing any photos that show the hood of an ambulance up, as this can be interpreted as a vehicle being broken down.
• Do not share specific numbers when discussing how many people or ambulances your operation has sent. You can use broad terms such as, a few, dozens or several.
• Do not provide operational details such as Check-In Sites, FOB Locations, Schedules or Mission Assignments.
• Do not share private patient information. Even during disasters, we must still follow HIPAA and patient privacy laws. Do not share, discuss or post anything online that would be in violation of these laws.
• Please email photos to social@gmr.net and include a short description.

October 3, 2024

16:00

• The new Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Asheville is fully up and running. Teams responding to calls in North Carolina are now based there. In addition to the sleep, shower and bathroom trailers, a kitchen has been delivered, so warm meals can be prepared on site.
• Our South Carolina teams remain at the ready to respond as additional requests come in. Laundry trailers have been delivered, so teams who have been based there for days will be able to utilize them.
• Teams continue to respond to hundreds of calls a day. So far, most have been medical calls, but trauma is ticking up, and we are treating some really sick patients. 
• We’re aware that the Baxter Saline plant in Marion, NC has been closed due to damage from the storm. However, we do not anticipate an impact to our saline supply at this time.
• We understand that deploying can be difficult, whether you’re a team responding to calls or remaining at the ready to respond. That’s why support teams from GMR Life, our health, wellness and resilience program, are available for deployed GMR employees, network providers and HCA employees in Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC. 

Your Safety is Important!

Branch Etiquette

• Wear close toed shoes or boots. Do not respond on missions unless you are in uniform.
• Wear your safety vest.
• Do not walk in traffic lanes.
• Drive slowly while at the branch.
• Please park your ambulance in the designated location only. Always be respectful of the property. We are visitors.
• Dispose of trash quickly using the provided containers.

Bears
There are black bears in North and South Carolina. It’s not unheard of to see them in the city of Asheville, NC. Bears are afraid of humans, but they will protect their territory, young and food. 

• Do not feed the bears.
• Do not approach a bear.
• If you encounter a bear, make loud noises to scare the bear away.
• Do not leave food out where it’s easily accessible.
• Garbage containers should be emptied often and covered to decrease odors and smells. 

October 2, 2024

16:00