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EMS provided aid during Hugo tornado |
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After a devastating tornado ripped through the Hugo area over the Memorial Day weekend, emergency responders from across the region were requested to help with rescue operations. Lakes Region EMS was able to provide an immediate response with one crew, followed shortly by a second crew and their emergency operations trailer.
Once on scene, they were sent to Oneka Elementary School, which had been turned into a shelter for victims of the disaster. Lakes Region EMS established an emergency medical treatment station and coordinated with other ambulance services to provide transport for those more seriously hurt.
While the initial response was happening, off duty personnel were called in to staff additional ambulances.
During the operation, Lakes Region EMS crews responded to all calls in the local community and answered mutual aid requests in surrounding communities.
The emergency operations trailer is equipped with large amounts of emergency care equipment, and was put into service after a deployment by Lakes Region EMS staff to the gulf coast after hurricanes impacted that area. It is available by request for any service in the region.
Lakes Region EMS is an Advanced Life Support ambulance service, serving suburban and rural communities located just north east of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Lakes Region EMS has bases in Rush City, North Branch, and Chisago City.
They serve a population of approximately 45,000 residents and visitors across an area of about 450 square miles that includes parts of Chisago, Isanti, and Pine Counties.
In 2007 Lakes Region EMS answered 3800 emergency calls and transported 2600 patients.
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