Sep 11, 2005 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – On Sept. 11, 2001, when Flight 93 crashed into a Shanksville farm field, Fayette EMS paramedic Jason Hayes and many of his co-workers responded to the Somerset County community to assist with any medical emergency. As the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attack arrives, Hayes and three other paramedics, five emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and a mechanic are preparing to respond to a national emergency in Lafayette, La., where Hurricane Katrina devastated homes, businesses and residents.

“We’ve been told what to expect and we’re ready,” said Hayes, as he looked over the variety of supplies stocked in the Fayette EMS specialized treatment and response trailer.

Dressings, bandages, gloves, backboards, oxygen, burn kits, blankets and pillows line the walls of the vehicle. A sufficient number of supplies, said Hayes, to take care of numerous medical emergencies.

“Everything we use on an ambulance, but on a larger scale,” he said of its contents.

The fleet will also include a donated Pepsi truck that will hold additional medical supplies, generators, defibulators, battery chargers, lighting, a decontamination unit donated by Allegheny County and the necessities of those making the 26-hour trek to the Gulf Coast region along with two Fayette ambulances.

In addition to Hayes, the team includes paramedics Steve Rugg, Rick D’Auria and Jason Bartholomai and EMTs Richard Cole, Jay Speeney, Toby Tolbert and Tiffany Shipley.

Fayette EMS is a member of the state’s Ambulance Strike Team, an organization of 80 ambulance services throughout the state that specialize in mass casualty incidents and terrorist attacks.

The Strike Team was activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and listed Fayette EMS to be on stand-by, pending final orders as to departure times and destination.

“Right now, we’re being told we’ll leave Saturday and report to Lafayette, but that could all change if we are needed elsewhere,” said Hayes.

Joining the paramedics and EMTs will be Fayette EMS chief mechanic Harold Stoots, who will travel with an array of equipment to maintain the ambulances and response trailers.

“If we have any problem en route or while we’re down there, he’ll be able to take care of it,” said Hayes. “There shouldn’t be anything he won’t be able to fix.”

The first responders are responsible to also provide all personal supplies.

“We take all our own camping equipment, tents, water and food,” said Hayes. “When we get deployed we’re to be completely self-contained without any help from the outside world for seven days.

“We’re pretty much rolling in there assuming we have no support or help from anyone, anywhere.”

Hayes said the focus of the team would be to offer support to those already in the region and to assist with stabilization of the city.

Lisa Chaney assisted the team in collecting financial donations and contributions of food, water and other supplies to defray the overall expense of the mission. Additionally, stuffed animals were donated by area businesses and individuals to give to the Louisiana children.

“Local businesses and fire departments have been great,” said Chaney. “I think they see what’s going on down there and know something similar could happen here.”

Rick Adobato, Fayette EMS director of operations, said that the team is comprised of very experienced and well-trained individuals that will undertake any challenge presented to them while in the field.

“They have all volunteered to undertake this task, and I am very proud of their sacrifice,” he said.

Hayes, meanwhile, said when the telephone call is made by the state, the team will deploy.

“We’re ready to go wherever they need us and do whatever they need us to do,” he said.