FEMA used EMTs for body recovery in Biloxi

[preciousdove]

Fremont rescuer recalls devastation in Biloxi http://www.themilpitaspost.com/Stories/0,1413,93~3416~3074745,00.html

Fremont Fire Department spokesman Geoff LaTendresse said nothing could compare to the devastation he witnessed in Biloxi, Miss., during the relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina three weeks ago...

..."Our primary objective was search and rescue, and our goal was to do live recoveries," he said. "But our assignment was to do body recovery."

LaTendresse was one of nine Fremont personnel deployed to Biloxi on Aug. 31. The Fremont team returned Sept. 11....

...LaTendresse said the team was given Global Positioning System coordinates where earlier search and rescue teams spotted bodies. They were assigned to pick up bodies within a 10-block area of the city. The team recovered a total of nine bodies during their deployment....

[Skittles]

1. anyone hear an official death count?

:(

[madrchsod]

2. no -

in the low numbers so far from what i have read... the coast guard resuced 33,000 people-at least 12,000 by copter in less than two weeks. maybe that is why the death toll is low...

[Skittles]

6. a big fat KUDOS to the Coast Guard

I know they make those air rescues look simple and routine but there's a HELL of a lot of skill involved

[ingac70]

3. 3 days ago it was 1033...

And they are still finding bodies.:(

[preciousdove]

5. Katrina MS 221; LA 923 ; Rita TX 100 (107 another source yesterday)

However a DUer said they knew someone working on recovery and that they had gone through 10,000 body bags. So who knows?

Gulf Coast 09/30/05
Katrina Death Toll Rises
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=3922611&nav=2CSf
Another victim of Hurricane Katrina has been found underneath the rubble of the devastation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The state's death toll from Hurricane Katrina now stands at 221. Harrison County coroner Gary Hargrove says a body was found under the collapsed Fairchild Motel off U.S. Highway 90. The body is believed to be that of a man.

La. death toll from Katrina now at 923
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/09/30/news.update.fri/
BATON ROUGE, La. (CNN) -- Officials in Louisiana said the death toll resulting from Hurricane Katrina now stands at 923.

The information, released late Thursday, was gathered by state officials who are working in conjunction with coroners from local parishes. (Posted at 9:55 a.m.)

Rita Death Toll Reaches 100 In Texas
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/5041759/detail.html

DALLAS -- Texas authorities now blame Hurricane Rita for about 100 deaths, but say most of the victims died before the hurricane struck, either while preparing for the storm or fleeing from it.

[caligirl]

4. Hey those are my paramedics, we have the best in the state.

What a waste of incredible talent. These guys are exceptionally well trained.