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JOPLIN, Mo. —
Members of the Crawford County EMS have been asked to assist with what has been called "extensive damage" to the southern section of Joplin, Mo. on Sunday evening.
Crawford County EMS Director Joey Adams said that the county is sending four of its ambulances, with personnel, as well as the mass casualty trailer to Joplin to assist with injuries.
"If we can break it free, we will send a fifth as well," Adams said.
According to reports, at around 6 p.m. a tornado touched down in the southern section of the city causing damage and creating debris.
Law enforcement and medical personnel in Joplin have been reporting serious injuries across the southern part of Joplin.
"Right now, we aren't hearing much from them," Adams said. "We are just trying to organize our people, get down there and see what we can do to help."
In addition, Adams said that members of the Frontenac Fire Department, Baker Township Fire Department, Pittsburg Fire, Pittsburg Police, and Crawford County Sheriff's Department to help with damage and injuries.
"We are sending people," said Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton. "We aren't even waiting for calls, we are just getting crews ready and they are on the way."
He said that communication into Joplin was scarce and that personnel
in Crawford County could not make contact with those in Joplin or Jasper County.
"Usually you want to wait for the command structure to take hold, but we can't get anyone in their communications center," Horton said.
"We just told our guys to get to the first roadblock and ask for assignments and go where they are needed."
Reports also indicate that St. John's Regional Medical Center had sustained damage. The hospital is located on McClelland Blvd. in the southern part of Joplin.
Joplin authorities have established a staging area at Joplin High School.
"We will get there and get our assignments," Adams said.
Adams said that county coverage by EMS will not be affected as no on-duty crews will be called to assist.
"We will keep our three ambulances that are on-duty here in the county," Adams said. "County services will not be affected."
Members of the Crawford County EMS have been asked to assist with what has been called "extensive damage" to the southern section of Joplin, Mo. on Sunday evening.
Crawford County EMS Director Joey Adams said that the county is sending four of its ambulances, with personnel, as well as the mass casualty trailer to Joplin to assist with injuries.
"If we can break it free, we will send a fifth as well," Adams said.
According to reports, at around 6 p.m. a tornado touched down in the southern section of the city causing damage and creating debris.
Law enforcement and medical personnel in Joplin have been reporting serious injuries across the southern part of Joplin.
"Right now, we aren't hearing much from them," Adams said. "We are just trying to organize our people, get down there and see what we can do to help."
In addition, Adams said that members of the Frontenac Fire Department, Baker Township Fire Department, Pittsburg Fire, Pittsburg Police, and Crawford County Sheriff's Department to help with damage and injuries.
"We are sending people," said Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton. "We aren't even waiting for calls, we are just getting crews ready and they are on the way."
He said that communication into Joplin was scarce and that personnel
in Crawford County could not make contact with those in Joplin or Jasper County.
"Usually you want to wait for the command structure to take hold, but we can't get anyone in their communications center," Horton said.
"We just told our guys to get to the first roadblock and ask for assignments and go where they are needed."
Reports also indicate that St. John's Regional Medical Center had sustained damage. The hospital is located on McClelland Blvd. in the southern part of Joplin.
Joplin authorities have established a staging area at Joplin High School.
"We will get there and get our assignments," Adams said.
Adams said that county coverage by EMS will not be affected as no on-duty crews will be called to assist.
"We will keep our three ambulances that are on-duty here in the county," Adams said. "County services will not be affected."
