On Friday, more than 140 University Hospital staffers volunteered for the relief effort, including many from the emergency department, AirMed and the intensive care unit.

"Obviously we can't send all our critical care staff. We have to take care of our own patients first," University Hospital spokesman Christopher Nelson said.

Intermountain Health Care is also planning to send a team, although Wes Thompson, vice president of IHC Community Health Partnerships, said the details remain sketchy.

"We're uncertain as to when and what is needed, but we are committed as a system to help out," Thompson said.

How many medical staffers will go is complicated by the fact that Utah expects to receive as many as 2,000 refugees from afflicted areas and they will also have medical needs that need attention, while local hospitals also must continue day-to-day operations.

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Contributing: Lois M. Collins; Pat Reavy; Associated Press

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com