--- title: Doing More with Less During Disaster Response description: With resources strained throughout the country, many emergency units now have to do more with less and with fewer people to navigate disaster response. image: https://blog.grahammedical.com/hubfs/shutterstock_392887153%20(1).jpg --- The Promise of Protection #### (800) 558-6765 [info@grahammedical.com](mailto:info@grahammedical.com) [My Account](https://www.grahammedical.com/my-account/) [![Graham Medical](https://blog.grahammedical.com/hubfs/GrahamMedical%20-March2017/Graham-Medical-Logo_wTagline_WHITE-Register-1.png "Graham Medical")](https://www.grahammedical.com/) - Products - [TABLE PAPER](https://www.grahammedical.com/table-paper/) - [Crepe](https://www.grahammedical.com/table-paper/crepe/) - [Printed](https://www.grahammedical.com/table-paper/printed/) - [Smooth](https://www.grahammedical.com/table-paper/smooth/) - [Specialty](https://www.grahammedical.com/table-paper/specialty-paper/) - [APPAREL](https://www.grahammedical.com/apparel/) - [Capes, Cover-Ups, Vests](http://www.grahammedical.com/apparel/capes/) - [Exam Shorts/Bikinis](https://www.grahammedical.com/apparel/apparel-exam-shorts/) - [Gowns](https://www.grahammedical.com/apparel/apparel-gowns/) - [Nonwoven](https://www.grahammedical.com/apparel/apparel-gowns/apparel-gowns-nonwoven/) - [Printed](https://www.grahammedical.com/apparel/apparel-gowns/printed/) - [Tissue](https://www.grahammedical.com/apparel/apparel-gowns/tissue/) - [Lab Coats/Jackets](https://www.grahammedical.com/apparel/lab-coats-jackets/) - [O.R. 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In 2018 alone, [the FBI designated](https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-incidents-in-the-us-2018-041019.pdf/view) 27 shooting incidents in 16 states as active shooter incidents, resulting in 213 casualties and 85 deaths. These figures may be harrowing, but [as this article indicates](https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/sigma1_2018_en.pdf), they paint a clear picture: natural and man-made disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity. First responders are on the front lines of every catastrophe, putting their lives on the line to reach and rescue as many victims as possible. But with [resources strained](https://www.apnews.com/f2603974861245249a05f3bae3a017ce) throughout the country, many emergency units now have to do more with less and with fewer people to navigate disaster response.   **Modern first responders — spread thin and in-decline** Emergency medical professionals such as fire fighters, police officers, EMTs and paramedics are working with diminishing resources, budgetary cuts, morale issues and mental health concerns straining services. What’s more, as indicated below, departments are struggling to attract and retain permanent employees and volunteers. - Of the nearly 30,000 fire departments in the U.S., about two-thirds are entirely comprised of volunteers. Since 2015, the number of volunteer firefighters has dropped from 814,850 to 682,600, according to the [National Volunteer Fire Council](https://www.nvfc.org/). - In the 1970s, approximately [300,000 volunteers](https://www.govtech.com/em/preparedness/Report-Funding-Support-Needed-to-Fix-Public-Safety-Crisis-Caused-by-Volunteer-Firefighter-EMS-Shortage.html) joined Pennsylvania’s fire department. This is in stark contrast to today’s meager 38,000 volunteers, a number that has caused one state representative to [remark](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/operations/infograms/120618.html), "We're in a crisis right now." - [Workplace stress](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3974929/) is said to have more of an effect on police first responders than critical incidents. **Bolstering disaster response with limited manpower** A unified response is needed to deal with this escalation. Sharing knowledge and resources between departments can greatly assist disaster response time and efficacy when manpower is low. This applies to command and leadership too. A known point person should be designated to handle interdepartmental communication, with secondary leaders that have specialty training like triage. Establishing a clear hierarchy between teams is an effective way to streamline disaster response time and coordination.   **Choose tools that are proven to provide relief** To illustrate how the right tools can alleviate trying circumstances, we’d like to propose a hypothetical, but not unlikely, situation: After dousing a house fire in the center of town, an exhausted Deputy Fire Chief receives a call to respond to an oil refinery explosion. His team is exhausted and their resources are strained, but they speed towards it resolutely.  Enroute, they receive the news that there are victims who need to be evacuated from the site. Though the team doesn’t have the optimum amount of firefighters, the Deputy knows he’s got an ace in the hole:   **MegaMover® Disaster Response units** When rapid and decisive action needs to be taken, there’s no room for ineffective tools. With the input and involvement of experienced first responders, [Graham Medical](https://www.grahammedical.com) has developed the MegaMover® product line to meet the patient transport needs of the EMS community when in hostile and unpredictable environments.  The [MegaMover® Disaster Response Portable Transport Unit](https://www.grahammedical.com/megamover-disaster-response-and-megamover-tactical/) is an effective way of moving disaster victims from a dangerous epicentre with fewer personnel. These units also lower the operational costs of the fire safety center without adversely affecting its transport capabilities.   Our MegaMover® products offer: [Click here](https://www.grahammedical.com/megamover-transport-units/) to learn more about the MegaMover® products and how they maximize efficiency and ease of use in times of disaster response. 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