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Local team heads to greet Florence

Posted at 5:20 PM, Sep 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-12 18:20:33-04

An Opelousas branch of the Air Evac Lifeteam company has deployed in anticipation of Hurricane Florence.

American Medical Response has a contract with FEMA to provide helicopters and medical support in disasters.  Air Evac Lifeteam is sending 12 helicopters and 72 crew members to greet the storm that is taking aim at the Carolinas.

Crews from Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee are joining the Opelousas crew for a one to two-week activation, but that could change after the storm hits. The crews will stay in the area as long as needed, a post from the company states.

“We are fortunate to be able to send some of our local assets – including personnel and equipment, to assist the communities in the path of Hurricane Florence,” said Joe Grygiel, senior director of base operations for Air Evac Lifeteam. “It is important to know that sending these resources does not affect our day-to-day ability to provide timely medical response for all the communities we serve.”

“When disasters of this magnitude occur, we appreciate the support of all the EMS agencies who come together to work tirelessly on behalf of the affected communities,” said Ted Van Horne, AMR Presdient and CEO.

AMR has a contract with FEMA to provide ground ambulance, air ambulance, paratransit services and non-ambulance EMS personnel to supplement the Federal and Military response to a disaster, an act of terrorism or any other public health emergency.