As FEMA Contract Lapses, Search Crews in Tornado Areas Go Old School
Firefighters handling incidents following tornados in several areas are operating old school -- without technology.
The reason -- the contract with the company that provides the mapping information expired last month.
In keeping with ex-Homeland Security Secretary Krist Noem's spending-approval process, the $200,000 contract is going through channels, CNN reported.
The valuable tool directs firefighters and search teams to the area where a tornado has touched down. The technology was available even if there weren't federal crews involved in the operation.
“Rescuers were flying blind, having to drive around or use news reports to figure out where the impacts were. And when a tornado hits in the middle of the night, every moment counts," a source told the reporter.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.