RETURN TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
Deployment To Support The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
NJ-1 DMAT's first deployment to Washington, D.C. was in support of the second innauguration of President George W. Bush.and exchanging our equipment cache.After packing our three trucks and driving our brand new trucks northward, we encountered one of the larger winter snowstorms of the season. By the time we approached the Delaware Bridge, it had been quite frozen over. At the junction of, I-95 and 295, we negotiated our way thru a maze of fifteen sliding and uncontrolled cars. When we got to the New Jersey state line, our beloved NJ was in a state of emergency. How fortunate that our trucks bore the Department of Homeland Security seal and FEMA label. What would have been normally a 3 to 4 hour trip turned out to be 9 hours. That put us at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, we all still had to get home.
NJ-1 DMAT's second deployment to Washington, D.C. was in support of the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial. It began on Thursday May 12, 2005. The logistics team consisting of, John Siddons, John Morrison, Ken Graulich, Steve Valas and Jason Reed, packed the trucks and transported to Rockville, MD. Once there, they picked up additional equipment and a pharmacy cache. Billeting was at the Woodfin Suites Hotel. On Friday, the logistics team reported to the U.S. Capitol and set up the treatment areas
The medical team consisting of Dave Wolfe, Joan Valas, Cathy Mutascio, George Currie, John Napolitano, Mike Mutascio and Ed Benenati, departed New Jersey on Friday in SUV's, meeting Pete Cridge, Patricia Joseph, David Lebowitz and Bettina Stopford, in Rockville at the Woodfin Suites Hotel.
Saturday, 16 members from NJ-1 DMAT and 10 members from
CT-1 DMAT, convoyed to FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C..We were met by NDMS Director Jack Beall and his operations staff. The plan of action was revealed and we then made our way to the West lawn of the Capitol, a few blocks away. Our equipment was checked and last minute procedures were reviewed. Early afternoon approached and we were released. The Air and Space Museum was on the agenda for some of us. There were plenty of places to see and things to do. Since it was Police Week and we were supporting the National Peace Officer's Memorial Service, we made it a point to visit the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial, a few blocks south of the Capitol.
Sunday, we were at FEMA headquarters early and at the Capitol a short time later.The Lifepack-12's, oxygen sets, and Thomas packs were issued. NJ-1 DMAT set up in the large tent in the west sector. The two strike teams of CT-1 DMAT were assisted by members of NJ-1 DMAT in the north and south sectors. Each tent also had personnel from the Office of The Attending Physician, U.S. Capitol Police and NDMS Operations MRT. The Attending Physician, United States Congress, Admiral John Eisold took the time to meet with both DMAT's. Law enforcement officer's in full-dress uniform, a little bit of heat, a touch of humidity and the emotional tone of the day, and dehydration set the parameters of our patient load. Keynote speaker, President George W. Bush met with the families and survivors of 153 law enforcement officer's who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2004. Thousands of law enforcement officers were in the company of Bag pipers, Honor Guards and Color Guards.
NJ-1 DMAT and the NDMS Operations group had the equipment disassembled and packed by early evening. The team was home by Monday.
