Susan Nicol Kyle
EMSResponder.Com News

GREENSBURG, KAN. -- Before the first tree snapped like a toothpick here Friday night, a task force of EMS commanders was on alert.

Just 30 minutes after the regional team was notified to stand by, Mike Napolitano got the call that the community of Greensburg had taken a direct, severe tornado hit.

Napolitano, the MERG (Major Emergency Response Group) duty officer that night, made the appropriate notifications that activated the team.

MERG was formed by 13 regional EMS directors after a powerful tornado hit Kansas several years ago. The volunteer group that has its own SOPs found out Friday night their planning and training paid off.

With word that another tornado was headed toward his own town -- Great Bend -- Napolitano stayed put. As the Fire and EMS chief, he was making sure his crews were ready.

"I had no choice but to hand over the ball. There was another tornado on the way," he said. "But, MERG is set up so any of us can do it."

MERG Team Leader Terry David first heard that 60 percent of the town had been wiped out. "I knew it was much worse as I approached Greensburg. When I got there, it was incredible. There was little left."

David said nurses were treating injured people at the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) building, one of a few still standing. He was handed a radio, and assumed EMS command.

A short time later, he found a triage area had been set up in a grocery store parking lot. Personnel with about 20 ambulances from nearby jurisdictions had responded to help.

"Someone came over and dropped off a bag and an oxygen bottle. They said it was the only thing left of Kiowa EMS." The local service lost two of its three ambulances, and its equipment.

David said residents who weren't hurt were put on buses and taken to a community center about 12 miles away.

The EMS crews also evacuated the community hospital, transporting 15-20 patients to nearby facilities.

Despite reports to the contrary, David said it's not that unusual for tornadoes to strike at night. "You just don't see this amount of destruction. This was one powerful twister."

The 200 mph winds wiped out telephone and cell service, and plunged the community into darkness. By Saturday afternoon, crews were making good headway restoring phones.

MERG is helping to coordinate EMS in Greensburg as residents sift through what's left of their shattered lives. Right now, there are four ambulance crews on duty during the day, and two at night.

MERG officials also are still handling EMS command, working 12-hour shifts. "I know we'll be there through next Friday."