Today we spent hours scouring semi-collapsed buildings looking for
survivors, and hauled out seven people on stretchers -- which we then
carried 100 yards. As one of 4 litter bearers, my share of the weight
was 40-50 lbs for each. It wasn't that bad, but I was exhausted by the end.We'd found every body in every building, and transported all the survivors... but then they told us to do an eighth, just for show, because VIPs were watching. This one was from decon: 200 yards, mostly uphill. Ugh.
Finally, we wrapped for the day, had some pizza, and went home to nurse our own injuries.
Soldiers sat around the clearing, some having a smoke, others trying to catch a few winks. The lonely sound of a harmonica floated in the breeze. "Hmm hmm hmm hmm-hmm-hmm, hmm hmm hmmm-hmm-hmmm" ("Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam...") They weren't in uniform; add a campfire and they could be cowpokes.
They told us the scenario: a Cat 3 hurricane hit, leaving downed trees and power lines, etc. "That's it?" I thought. "So we open some shelters. Big deal."