Osage Ambulance District crews are responding to a request to provide assistance to Orlando, Fla., in anticipation of Hurricane Ian as part of an American Medical Response’s contract with FEMA.

“This deployment in no way impacts our company’s ability to meet patient needs in our local community,” said Administrator Josh Krull as crews departed Linn on Monday as part of a pre-landfall task force. 

Deployed crews may be assigned to help with the triage, treatment, and transport of patients, as well as provide on-scene medical stand-by. They may also be asked to participate in the transport and placement of patients to help free up bed space at receiving hospitals or provide other patient care-related duties as the local government identifies needs.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. OAD crews are currently on a 14-day activation, but that can change as the situation develops. EMS personnel will stay in the area as long as needed, per the AMR and FEMA agreement.

“Our crew members are working under the guidance of FEMA, state and local EMS agencies to provide emergency and non-emergency patient services,” said Krull.

Crew members being deployed are Paramedic Brett Holtmeyer, EMT Kelly Reed, Paramedic/Supervisor Carrie Hickman, Paramedic Cheri Taylor, EMT Mercedes Durham, EMT Eli Nadler, EMT Hannah Rothove, Paramedic/EMS Chief Josh Krull.