PA National Guard Helps Pittsburgh Residents
“Really the need is lift assets,” says Captain Brian Ewing. “Typical ambulance is a fairly heavy vehicle. Even with a winter type tire there’s ice and snow. It just isn’t safe to transport sometimes. And there are areas of the city where they need the additional help to get the paramedics and EMTs in where they need to be.”
Teams of humvees left for Pittsburgh Sunday night. The teams are primarily helping emergency personnel and police with transportation issues—like getting people with medical issues to the hospital and assisting police as they try to get to areas that might not be passable with their cruisers.
Staff Sargeant Matthew Claycomb told us people can’t believe the National Guard is there to help them.
“They’re shocked. They’ve heard on the news that the National Guard is going to be with them. They’re just in a little bit of disbelief.”
The teams will continue serving the community by working 24/7 shifts right now, until Governor Ed Rendell says it’s okay to pull out.
On any given day, Pittsburgh residents wouldn’t be used to seeing a humvee roaming their streets but that’s exactly what’s happening right now as 40 National Guardsman from Hermitage and New Castle are there assisting with emergency services.