Durable Shelters Made in Seattle Suburb Helping Far-flung Victims of War, Disasters.

MONROE, Wash. -- Victims and medics from the war zones of Iraq to earthquake-ravaged Pakistan are experiencing a brighter, safer, more spacious and more comfortable environment, thanks to new shelters made in a rural town near Seattle. E[acute accent]The recently-installed Compact All-Weather Mobile Shelter Systems (CAMSS) replaced worn out (and out dated) tents at the Balad Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq and provided desperately needed shelters for some of Mercy Corps' relief efforts in Pakistan. E[acute accent]At Balad Air Base, Iraq, military personnel installed over fifty CAMSS20EX Shelters, each measuring 20 by 32 feet, over the course of ten days. The revamped shelter transformed about 35,000 square feet of tent space, according to Douglas Hotes, president of CAMSS Shelters, located in Monroe, Wash. E[acute accent]Meticulous planning and coordination enabled the hospital to maintain full operation during the dismantling of the old shelters (known as TEMPER tents) and the installation of the new, upgraded system. Morgan Brooke, project manager for CAMSS, praised the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, commenting they were "great to work with and did a terrific job in getting the new CAMSS Shelters quickly in place while maintaining the full capabilities of the hospital." E[acute accent]The 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron worked together with the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron and the 332nd Medical Support Squadron on the project. E[acute accent]The hospital, with more than 100 beds, treats combat casualties and functions as a surgical trauma hub and clearinghouse for wounded and ill airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines. The renovated facility includes multiple intensive care wards, triage shelters and pre-operation shelters, along with recreation, kitchen and dining facilities. E[acute accent]Brooke said the CAMSS Shelters provide numerous advantages over previous systems. "The all-weather shelter has a straight sidewall that provides more useable space for beds and equipment. The CAMSS20EX also allows for flexible configurations and complexing necessary for many military operations such as hospitals. CAMSS Shelters makes an excellent fit for the military's needs and requirements for rapid deployable shelters in any environment throughout the world." E[acute accent]The versatile and durable shelters are also used in non-military situations. Following the devastating Kashmir earthquake on October 8 in Northern Pakistan, CAMSS Shelters donated CAMSS20EX Shelters to Mercy Corps for its medical relief efforts.

E[acute accent]About CAMSS Shelters

E[acute accent]Founded in 1985, CAMSS is widely recognized as the world leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of military expeditionary shelter systems. Over the past few years CAMSS has deployed over 2 million square feet of shelters for military operations.