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DISASTER RESPONSE his tablet was useful for keeping him connected with his family while he was working long hours for weeks at a time. He was able to video chat with his wife and three sons before bed when he couldn't be at home, which was most nights in the aftermath of Sandy. The utility disruptions were an obstacle for several days or more in some areas, as were fuel shortages. Providers and their families in many cases lost homes or other personal property. "All of our employees were personally affected by the storm either directly or indirectly," says Caruso. "Our field providers, communications staff and management team were resilient. They left their homes and families as early as when the storm was coming, knowing there was a chance they wouldn't be able to get back for several days. A majority of our employees were without power at home. Many did not have running water, cooking facilities, etc. Some had damage to their homes from water, wind and falling trees and poles. Many of our employees actually preferred to come to work, knowing that their homes were in such conditions. They saw work as an opportunity to get their minds off of what they had happening in their personal lives, that was unchangeable, and to do what they got into EMS for in the first place—to help others." Flexibility on the state's part also helped MONOC avoid red tape so crews could respond more effectively to storm victims. "In the two weeks after the hurricane hit, in addition to providing over 2,400 man hours to shelter coverage, MONOC responded to 10,429 requests for service," says Caruso,"compared to the same time frame in 2011 in which we responded to 8,603 requests. "To the benefit of the community we provide advanced life support services for," he continues, "our regulatory agency, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Emergency Medical Services, provided a waiver allowing New Jersey Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic Units to alter the normal crew configuration of two paramedics to one paramedic and one EMT. This not only afforded us the ability to put more MICUs on the road, but also allowed more flexibility in staffing these units. During the waiver period, these 'hybrid' units were dispatched to almost 300 critical emergencies." Two other unforeseen problems, Cortacans notes, had more to do with the aftermath of For More Information Circle 35 on Reader Service Card EMSWORLD.com | MARCH 2013 39