Area disaster team member invited to inauguration

1/19/2001

A member of the Toledo Area Disaster Medical Assistance Team has been invited to Washington for the presidential inauguration of George W. Bushtomorrow.

John VanRynen, a registered nurse, respiratory therapist, and team member since 1997, was selected from the team's 120 members because he received the team's Volunteer of the Year Award, Churton Budd, unit commander, said.

The Toledo disaster team is composed of physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, and support personnel from across northwest Ohio. It has been based in Toledo since 1990. The team has responded to hurricanes Andrew, Marilyn, and Floyd.

Mr. Budd said Toledo's team is ranked as “one of the top 21 disaster medical response teams” in the nation. He said each team is providing one person for the inaugural medical support effort, under direction from the National Disaster Medical System's Office of Emergency Preparedness.