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Monday, July 9, 2012

Photos Associated Press/A.J. Heightman

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First Arrival

NCAD EMS Director Rusty Tinney and the first ambulance that arrived at E. 20th St. & Range Line Road encountered more than a dozen dead bodies and people searching for relatives and friends who had been sucked out of the walk-in freezer at a fast food restaurant. Only four of the 12 people who tried to take refuge in the freezer survived.

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Crews Rebound from Aftermath of Joplin Tornado

St. John's Mercy Hospital

St. John’s Mercy Hospital, its emergency department and medical helicopter took a direct hit.

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Crews Rebound from Aftermath of Joplin Tornado

Digging in the Wreckage

EMS crews were confronted by dead bodies and patients who ranged from having minor injuries to pieces of rebar sticking out of their skulls.

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Crews Rebound from Aftermath of Joplin Tornado

Remains of Joplin High School

The remains of Joplin High School, where hundreds of lives would have been lost had the school been used for its graduation ceremony. The school’s sign was modified and became a lasting symbol of hope for the community.

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Crews Rebound from Aftermath of Joplin Tornado

Search & Rescue

Members of Missouri Task Force One search-and-rescue team stand by as heavy equipment moves debris from a tornado-damaged Home Depot store.

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Crews Rebound from Aftermath of Joplin Tornado

Aerial View

This aerial view shows some of the damage done by the tornado that struck the area.

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Crews Rebound from Aftermath of Joplin Tornado

Treatment Areas

METS & NCAD crews established patient collection and treatment areas near the tornado’s path of destruction—a path that traversed both ambulance service areas.

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Crews Rebound from Aftermath of Joplin Tornado

Pizza Hut Remains

A.J. Heightman (left) & NCAD Director Rusty Tinney stand at the Pizza Hut one year after the incident. Many of the restaurants and stores have already been rebuilt, but the horrible sights seen by the EMS crews will always remain in their memories.

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Crews Rebound from Aftermath of Joplin Tornado

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