Published Oct. 15 in the Louisville Courier Journal

Editorial: Letter questions profiling of untrained rescuers at WTC

By DANA DAVIDSON
Trauma Coordinator, University of Louisville Hospital

As did most everyone in the nation, I watched with horror and grief the events that unfolded on Sept. 11. And like the rest of the nation, I, too, felt helpless

I applaud the actions of the local church groups and American Red Cross volunteers you profiled in your Sept. 25 article about Kentuckians drawn to the attack site. Their appropriate, selfless and tireless efforts make us all proud. However, I find it somewhat disconcerting that you would also profile those with no rescue training or medical credentials who "sifted through the rubble" at the World Trade Center disaster site.

As one who has worked in trauma care for 20 years, I understand the necessity for control of the scene and qualified personnel to manage a unified rescue effort. For untrained individuals to insinuate themselves into these situations not only compromises the integrity of the investigation, but also imposes a safety risk for themselves and others. That is precisely why Mayor Rudy Giuliani declared the area a secured crime scene.

Therefore, I would like to reiterate the numerous ways that have been suggested for those who want to help without directly intruding in the investigation: Invest in the stock market, buy a plane ticket, give blood, pray, enroll in a disaster training course at the American Red Cross, and donate, donate, donate to the many charities set up specifically for this tragedy. While these efforts may not make for sensational fodder at the neighborhood pub, they will go a long way in providing relief and are infinitely more respectful of the victims and their families.

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