Medical Events During the 2009 Los Angeles County Station Fire: Lessons for Wildfire EMS Planning

Squire, Benjamin; Chidester, Cathy; Raby, Stephanie

doi:10.3109/10903127.2011.598607

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Squire et al described injuries and illness from a fire in Southern California managed with a different care model using paramedics on the fire line. 3 This care structure likely resulted in a much higher percent of ED transfers (50%) and use of oxygen and intravenous fluids. They also describe higher rates of extremity injury (24%), smoke inhalation (17%), and lower incidence of poison oak (11%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Squire et al described injuries and illness among 2000 firefighters over 50 days at a large fire in Los Angeles County. 3 Care was provided by fire line paramedic-firefighters, and data were extracted from ambulance patient care records (PCRs) for 64 patients and from the command medical tracking sheet for 118 patients. Extremity injuries accounted for 24%, smoke inhalation for 17%, and poison oak for 11% of patient contacts.…”

Section: Medical Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Medical Care at California Wildfire Incident Base Camps

Backer

Wright²,

Dong

et al. 2021

Disaster med. public health prep.

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Objective: The California Emergency Medical Services Authority manages and deploys California Medical Assistance Teams (CAL-MAT) to disaster medical incidents in the state. This analysis reviews diagnoses for ambulatory medical visits at multiple wildland fire incident base camp field sites in California during the 2020 fire season. Methods: Clinical data without personal health information were extracted retrospectively from patient care records from all patients seen by a provider. Results were entered into Excel spreadsheets with calculation of summary statistics. Results: During the 2020 fire season, CAL-MAT teams deployed 21 times for a total of 327 days to base camps supporting large fire incidents and cared for 1756 patients. Impacts of heat and environmental smoke are a constant factor near wildfires; however, our most common medical problem was rhus dermatitis (54.5%) due to poison oak. All 2020 medical missions were further complicated by prevention and management of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Conclusions: There is very little literature regarding the acute medical needs facing responders fighting wildland fires. Ninety-five percent of clinical conditions presenting to a field medical team at the wildfire incident base camp during a severe fire season in California can be managed by small teams operating in field tents.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Medical Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Care at California Wildfire Incident Base Camps

Backer

Wright²,

Dong

et al. 2021

Disaster med. public health prep.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…12,156,168,169 Firefighters are exposed to significantly higher levels and longer periods of exposure to combustion products from fires, leading to health risks that include decreased lung function, inflammation, and respiratory system problems, as well as injuries from burns and falling trees. 145,168,170,171,172,173 Wildfires can also create an increased burden on the health care system and public health infrastructure. For example, wildfires near populated areas often necessitate large evacuations, requiring extensive public health resources, including shelter, and treatment of individuals for injuries, smoke inhalation, and mental health impacts.…”

Section: Projected Increases In Very Large Firesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…94,124,125,126,127 Large, intense wildfires will occur more frequently in some regions of the United States, particularly in the western United States and Alaska, 2 and this is expected to increase exposure to wildfire-related health risks. 74,144 The health impacts of wildfire include death, injury, and illness, 134,145,146,151,152,153,154,155,165,166,167,168,170,172,173 including exacerbation of underlying medical conditions. 154,156,157 Major uncertainties The role of climate change in observed shifts in and future projections of the frequency, intensity, geographic distribution, and duration of certain extreme events is an ongoing, active area of research.…”

Section: Description Of Evidence Basementioning

confidence: 99%

Ch. 6: Climate Impacts on Water-Related Illness. The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment

Trtanj¹,

Jantarasami²,

Brunkard³

et al. 2016

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Health impacts associated with climate-related changes in exposure to extreme events include death, injury, or illness; exacerbation of underlying medical conditions; and adverse effects on mental health [High Confidence]. Climate change will increase exposure risk in some regions of the United States due to projected increases in the frequency and/or intensity of drought, wildfires, and flooding related to extreme precipitation and hurricanes [Medium Confidence]. Disruption of Essential Infrastructure Key Finding 2: Many types of extreme events related to climate change cause disruption of infrastructure, including power, water, transportation, and communication systems, that are essential to maintaining access to health care and emergency response services and safeguarding human health [High Confidence]. Vulnerability to Coastal Flooding Key Finding 3: Coastal populations with greater vulnerability to health impacts from coastal flooding include persons with disabilities or other access and functional needs, certain populations of color, older adults, pregnant women and children, low-income populations, and some occupational groups [High Confidence]. Climate change will increase exposure risk to coastal flooding due to increases in extreme precipitation and in hurricane intensity and rainfall rates, as well as sea level rise and the resulting increases in storm surge [High Confidence].

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Ch. 4: Impacts of Extreme Events on Human Health. The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment

Bell¹,

Herring²,

Jantarasami³

et al. 2016

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Medical Events During the 2009 Los Angeles County Station Fire: Lessons for Wildfire EMS Planning

Cited by 3 publications

References 4 publications

Medical Care at California Wildfire Incident Base Camps

Medical Care at California Wildfire Incident Base Camps

Ch. 6: Climate Impacts on Water-Related Illness. The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment

Ch. 4: Impacts of Extreme Events on Human Health. The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment

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