* * * We are proud of our Volunteers * * *

Well, Dave Johnson is at it again, this time being called away from YYC 2010 after our Monday morning pre-tourney skate.  He took a big hit from Andre Martel on the ice and then received the phone call to go to Chile, another big hit because he would miss the entire tournament.  Hey Dave, we took good care of Donna (glad she didn't have to leave also) and by the way, because of your volunteerism;  co-hosting YVR 2008, serving 5 years on the Rules Committee, and unselfish service to others in time of need, you were named the winner of the 2010 International ATC Hockey Tournament Pierre Marcoux Esprit-de-Corps Individual Award.  Congratulations brother!  (Dave's 2nd from left below) 

Here's his latest adventure:

Chile

March 11:

Final update from Chile.  In disasters things are always changing. My last update I had requested we deploy our hospital to Chile to a specific area of devastation.  Shortly after that the conditions continued to change and what is rare in these situations, it was very positive. The government and military have acted quite fast and with a lot of resources and now are responding really well to all the factors of a disaster including medical needs.  Therefore just 24 hours after asking for the deployment of the hospital down to Chile our team has decided the urgency wasn’t significant enough for our capabilities.

Of course it is tough coming down here for a week and not ending up with a deployment order but that is just what happens sometimes.  All is not lost as we have been touring with the military a lot and providing them with lots of consultation and experience that we have gained from multiple disasters.  The best news is the people here are now receiving all the medical help that they require.

We continue to get rocked and rolled 24/7 and it does wear on you.  Two nights ago I lost count after 6 quakes, some of which were quite significant between the hours of midnight at 8am.  It is quite something to wake up to everything shaking and the bed had wheels that I was on so yes it was rolling back and forth.  My one CMAT partner back in Canada jokes “ride the wave” when this happens but I really have never been a great surfer.  Anyhow, today is Thursday March 11th and we have sent one team member back to North America and the 3 of us hope