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By Mary Ferguson, Canadian Red Cross volunteer in Alabama and Mississippi
Gary Iley from Calgary found that his mission in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War provided a great base of experience - but the scope of Hurricane Katrina’s impact both emotionally and physically is giving new meaning to the word enormous.
Gary is coordinating more than 200 medical professionals who are roaming hard hit communities along the Gulf Coast to assess the medical needs of residents and linking them to the hospitals, clinics and other services. He is the assistant manager of American Red Cross disaster health services in the Gulf Coast.
Patients in need of insulin, coronary patients, people with open wounds burns, abrasions, unexplained rashes and elderly people unable to care for themselves - are just some of the situations medical staff encounter as they assess thousands of people in the field.
“The key for the nurses, doctors and paramedics in the field is to quickly assess the medical needs of 5,000 people in a line and channel them into the right direction,” said Iley. “It’s an acceleration of their skills in an emotionally charged environment with no short cuts available.”
Almost two weeks after the storm ravaged the area, one Red Cross volunteer paramedic was able to reunite a family who had been displaced from each other and were uncertain about the chances that their loved ones were still alive.
“It is impossible to not get immersed in the emotions of what is happening around you. That is why you see a lot of Red Cross volunteers giving hugs to each other because it is a good tension release. There is an underlying tension in the job for even the most seasoned people because of the enormity of emotional strife.”
The logistical challenge of roaming storm ravaged regions and creating order out of confusion is made possible because “there are so many gifted, calm people who don’t get rattled.”
Medical staff generally can stay only seven days, so the constant turnover adds another challenge to coordination - but the team hangs together thanks to the high level of dedication and keen desire to help.
“There is a calmness about it and a strong connection with those in need because this is their country. In Iraq, people lived in a war zone and it was difficult, but here people lived a peaceful life and now they are homeless, many lost loved ones and their whole world was turned upside down,” said Iley.
The former paramedic from Calgary was a single guy in Iraq but this time has left behind his wife, three-year-old son and three-month-old baby to spend three weeks in the Gulf Coast area.
“I thrive on the stress of a disaster and have a strong desire to give back. That is a common trait for most people here who have a good life and want to give back - and that’s great thing to see in action.”
Gary is one of more than 80 Canadians assisting the Hurricane Katrina efforts. He joins Red Cross volunteers from Spain, Finland, Holland, and Australia - to name a few countries who have sent experienced personnel to support the response that is expected to last for many months.