The President visits, and the National Guard helps clean up...
...in Greensburg, Kansas.
President George W. Bush thanks U.S. Army Soldiers from the Kansas Army National Guard in Greensburg, Kan., May 9, 2007. The town was struck by a massive tornado May 4. Approximately 400 National Guard members have been called up to assist with the cleanup, provide security and perform other disaster response functions. DoD photo by Master Sgt. Greg Rudl, U.S. Army. (Released)
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the Kansas Air National Guard remove debris from Greensburg High School in Greensburg, Kan., May 9, 2007, after it was hit by a massive tornado May 4. Approximately 400 National Guard members have been called up to assist with the cleanup, provide security and perform other disaster response functions. DoD photo by Sgt. Heather Wright, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
The Air Guard deploys a hospital to the Greensburg disaster site, and scores a first, and newly promoted Brigadier General Rose, commanding Joint Forces Kansas, gets an early introduction to her duties:
EXPEDITIONARY MEDICAL SYSTEM HOSPITAL BEING SENT TO GREENSBURGThe Kansas National Guard’s Expeditionary Medical Support System field hospital is deploying to Greensburg , Kan. , to provide medical equipment and operating space for medical personnel in Greensburg .
Twelve trucks were loaded with the pre-packaged units at the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Topeka , and will leave for Greensburg at approximately 6 a.m. on Friday, May 11. Upon arrival in Greensburg at approximately 1 p.m., the trucks will be unloaded and the hospital set-up will begin on west Hwy 54 across from the Greensburg John Deere dealership.
“The Expeditionary Medical Support System is going down to replace the hospital in Greensburg until a new facility can be constructed,” said Brig. Gen. Deborah Rose, director of Joint Forces Headquarters Kansas. “The hospital lost virtually everything. The Expeditionary Medical Support System has equipment and space for just about any service a regular hospital provides – surgery, dental care, laboratory services, pharmacy, supply and in-patient care.”
“We look at this as an opportunity to provide hope to the community and start the rebuilding process,” said Rose.
Rose said that support staff from the 190th ARW will accompany the EMEDS to Greensburg to help orient the local medical personnel who will be working out of the facility. Medical services for area residents will start as soon as possible.
The EMEDS is based out of the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka . The 190th ARW is the only organization in the country currently with an EMEDS dedicated to homeland security and will be the central location for all EMEDS logistic support throughout the United States .
The Kansas EMEDS was first used for relief operations in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, which was the first time an EMEDS unit was tasked domestically for a relief or homeland security mission.
For information on how you can help the residents of Greensburg and the surrounding region recover click here for information from the State of Kansas, with links to make donations, etc.
Other Opportunities to HelpGreen for Greensburg
The United Way of the Plains has established a statewide Green for Greensburg Fund to collect monetary donations to help tornado victims in Greensburg.League of Kansas Municipalities
The League of Kansas Municipalities has set up the Greensburg Fund to provide assistance to the city government of Greensburg. Checks should be made to the "Greensburg Fund" and mailed to:League of Kansas Municipalities
Attn: Greensburg Fund
300 S.W. 8th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603For questions regarding this fund, please contact the League of Kansas Municipalities at (785) 354-9565.
Pizza Hut
This Thursday, May 10th, Pizza Hut restaurants across the state of Kansas are donating 20% of profits to the United Way Greensburg Disaster Fund. The money will directly benefit those affected by this past week's tornado.
The Emporia Gazette has a round-up of opportunities to act to assist Greensburg, as well.
