Would you go to Haiti?

Walkman · January 14, 2010, 02:12:05 AM

Listening to a radio report about the quake and the SAR work going got me thinking. What would you think about CAP being tasked with helping the relief effort in a situation like this, if the circumstances warranted more "boots on the ground" than we could afford with regular military troops?

SarDragon · January 14, 2010, 02:19:41 AM

In a word, no.

Here's why.

Stonewall · January 14, 2010, 02:35:09 AM

With CAP? No.

bosshawk · January 14, 2010, 02:36:16 AM

+1, Dave. In CAP, we are not trained nor equipped to do the sorts of things that are needed in Haiti right now. The only exception might be doctors, nurses, EMTs and urban search specialists. If you are one of those and you belong to an organization that is charged with the Haiti operation, have at it. No CAP organization is equpped to do this sort of thing.

We have no business even considering going to a foreign country and trying to insert ourselves into the disaster. I know that there is a strong urge to do something: no way as a CAP member.

JayT · January 14, 2010, 02:47:38 AM

Yeah, I would. Those people are suffering, and I'm an EMT.

Eclipse · January 14, 2010, 02:56:08 AM

Not with CAP - our capabilities are stretched enough we we have to go 1/2-way across the country, let alone outside.

We have our place and our role - we are not all things to all people.

♠SARKID♠ · January 14, 2010, 02:57:09 AM

+2 SarDragon

Haiti is definitely not a country I would want to be seen wearing what looks like a US military uniform in; enjoy your kidnapping.

Stonewall · January 14, 2010, 02:59:50 AM

I'm an EMT. Have been since 1993. I've also been to Haiti, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Laos, Cambodia and a number of other developing countries. I was also "on scene" at the Tsunamis in late 2004 into 2005. An EMT isn't going to help with what they're suffering from. Antibiotics, nutrition, prevention of AIDS, and solid infrastructure; that's what they need.

PA Guy · January 14, 2010, 03:00:52 AM

What skills would CAP bring? Do they have the equipment, training and support to be self sustaining in that situation? I don't think so, they would be a burden.

So, would I go with CAP? Not hardly!

heliodoc · January 14, 2010, 03:08:36 AM

Really doubt CAP could get through the State Department steps for one thing..

CAPers!!! Got your shot records??

Got your tactical skills up to speed?? That is is doubtful even for the PA "Rangers", NBB etc ,etc

I'm pretty sure some CAPers are sitting right by the phone and waiting for the CAP Klaxons to go off

USAR teams are more useful than CAP. CAP could probably hand out MRE's and bottled water... oh wait a minute IT quite a bit more SERIOUS that that

CAPers....careful about self dispatchin' yourselves!

DG · January 14, 2010, 03:36:10 AM

YES.

In a New York minute.

RedMedic · January 14, 2010, 03:46:39 AM

I absolutely would, granted not with CAP, but as a paramedic. There are a few teams in the area that are preparing to deploy so it's just a waiting game at this point, but i'm surely going to try.

RiverAux · January 14, 2010, 03:49:23 AM

I would if I thought there was something particularly useful I could bring to the table.

BuckeyeDEJ · January 14, 2010, 03:49:56 AM

I'm with those who say 'no.' It's not that I don't care; it's that Haiti is a craphole full of corruption and incompetence. The Americans who go down there can only make a dent in what is widespread human horror, and that's before the earthquake killed tens of thousands (the Haitian PM said tonight 100K-plus).

All that said, Stonewall's right.

Mod edit for subversion of the curse filter. - MIKE

Major Lord · January 14, 2010, 04:06:21 AM

Joe,

You may be an EMT ( I am too) but as far as CAP is concerned, your medical rating is purely ceremonial. As to CAP going to Haiti (maybe Hades....) your lines of supply would be tenuous at best, and without a Government to throw money at the problem ( And thats not going to happen for CAP) and the huge infrastructure of the US Naval and Military services to back your play, you would be a liability, not an asset.

That being said, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Church Groups, etc could possibly use you. In every third world toilet I have ever seen a disaster in, the Red Cross has been right there beside us ( and unlike my people, they were unarmed and carrying food-a sure way to get double-dog killed)

Haiti's problems are largely political. Even in the best of times the place is the sphincter to hell, and if you want to go, and face the kind of horror that awaits you there, find a good team with good resources. Preferably, go armed, because they will literally cut your heart out there and eat it for breakfast. With a nice EMT liver Ettoufe'.

Bon chance!

Major Lord

Major Carrales · January 14, 2010, 04:23:20 AM

If it was approved by all parties and my Principal OK'ed it I would strongly consider going. But, all things being equal, I doubt it would be allowed.

Spike · January 14, 2010, 04:32:33 AM

Quote from: Major Lord on January 14, 2010, 04:06:21 AM
Haiti's problems are largely political. Even in the best of times the place is the sphincter to hell, and if you want to go, and face the kind of horror that awaits you there, find a good team with good resources. Preferably, go armed, because they will literally cut your heart out there and eat it for breakfast. With a nice EMT liver Ettoufe'.

1

It will soon start getting worse there, and people will start killing each other for water. Not to mention the rape and pillage that will soon begin. We will see UN and US food distribution sites overrun by bad people and some relief workers killed.

That is one place I do not wish my worst enemy to ever have to go.

MikeD · January 14, 2010, 04:52:34 AM

The AP and CNN are both reporting shots fired in Port-Au-Prince. Not sure if that's just a few, or lots. Same thing happened during Katrina, but the potential for this to go very bad seems a lot higher to me.

Eclipse · January 14, 2010, 05:01:37 AM

Quote from: MikeD on January 14, 2010, 04:52:34 AM
The AP and CNN are both reporting shots fired in Port-Au-Prince. Not sure if that's just a few, or lots. Same thing happened during Katrina, but the potential for this to go very bad seems a lot higher to me.

While there was obviously documented looting (some for basic survival), the reports of violence against emergency workers, and even the
general lawless anarchy and widespread criminal activity reported by the media were found later to have been greatly exaggerated.

With that said, I have no doubt that a place with as many pre-disaster "issues" as Haiti could sink further, faster, into chaos.

Major Lord · January 14, 2010, 05:11:43 AM

While there was obviously documented looting (some for basic survival), the reports of violence against emergency workers, and even the
general lawless anarchy and widespread criminal activity reported by the media were found later to have been greatly exaggerated.

We found it better not to discuss the things that actually occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, especially with the media. I am not sure what reports you might consider "greatly exaggerated" but I was there for almost a year after the Hurricane, and the lawlessness and criminal activity was an 11 on a 10 Scale for a few months.

Major Lord