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Impact of the San Diego County Firestorm on Emergency Medical Services

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Gary M. Vilke ,
Alan M. Smith ,
Barbara M. Stepanski ,
Leslie Upledger Ray ,
Patricia A. Murrin  and
Theodore C. Chan
Gary M. Vilke*
Affiliation:
University of California, San Diego Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Diego, California, USA County of San Diego, Division of Emergency Medical Services, San Diego, California, USA
Alan M. Smith
Affiliation:
County of San Diego, Division of Emergency Medical Services, San Diego, California, USA
Barbara M. Stepanski
Affiliation:
County of San Diego, Division of Emergency Medical Services, San Diego, California, USA
Leslie Upledger Ray
Affiliation:
County of San Diego, Division of Emergency Medical Services, San Diego, California, USA
Patricia A. Murrin
Affiliation:
County of San Diego, Division of Emergency Medical Services, San Diego, California, USA
Theodore C. Chan
Affiliation:
University of California, San Diego Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
*
Department of Emergency Medicine UC San Diego Medical Center 200 West Arbor Drive Mail Code #8676 SanDiego, CA 92103 USA E-mail: gmvilke@ucsd.edu
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Abstract

Background:

In October 2003, San Diego County, California, USA, experienced the worst firestormin recent history. During the firestorm, public health leaders implemented multiple initiatives to reduce its impact on community health using health updates and news briefings. This study assessed the impact of patients with fire-related complaints on the emergency medical services (EMS) system during and after the firestorm.

Methods:

A retrospective review of a prehospital database was performed for all patients who were evaluated by advanced life support (ALS) ambulance personnel after calling the 9-1-1 emergency phone system for direct, fire related complaints from 19 October 2003 through 30 November 2003 in San Diego County. The study location has an urban, suburban, rural, and remote resident population of approximately three million and covers 4,300 square miles (2,050 km2). The prehospital patient database was searched for all patients with a complaint that was related directly to the fires. Charts were abstracted for data, including demographics, medical issues, treatments, and disposition status.

Results:

During the firestorm, fire consumed >380,000 acres (>938,980 hectares), including 2,454 residences and 785 outbuildings, and resulted in a total of 16 fatalities. Advanced life support providers evaluated 138 patients for fire related complaints. The majority of calls were for acute respiratory complaints. Other complaints included burns, trauma associated with evacuation or firefighting, eye injuries, and dehydration. A total of 78% of the injuries were mild. Twenty percent of the victims were firefighters, most with respiratory complaints, eye injuries, or injuries related to trauma. A total of 76% of the patients were transported to the hospital, while 10% signed out against medical advice.

Conclusion:

Although the firestorm had the potential to significantly impact EMS, pre-emptive actions resulted in minimal impact to emergency departments and the prehospital system. However, during the event, therewere a number of lessons learned that can be used in future events.

Keywords

burnsemergency medical services (EMS)firefirestormresponsesmoke inhalation
Type
Special Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 21 , Issue 5 , October 2006 , pp. 353 - 358
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2006

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