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Lessons Learned from the Aeromedical Disaster Relief Activities Following the Great East Japan Earthquake

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2013

Hisashi Matsumoto ,
Tomokazu Motomura ,
Yoshiaki Hara ,
Yukiko Masuda ,
Kunihiro Mashiko ,
Hiroyuki Yokota  and
Yuichi Koido
Hisashi Matsumoto*
Affiliation:
Shock and Trauma Center, Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Chiba, Japan
Tomokazu Motomura
Affiliation:
Shock and Trauma Center, Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Chiba, Japan
Yoshiaki Hara
Affiliation:
Shock and Trauma Center, Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Chiba, Japan
Yukiko Masuda
Affiliation:
Shock and Trauma Center, Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Chiba, Japan
Kunihiro Mashiko
Affiliation:
Shock and Trauma Center, Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Chiba, Japan
Hiroyuki Yokota
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
Yuichi Koido
Affiliation:
National Hospital Organization Disaster Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
*
Correspondence: Hisashi Matsumoto, MD, PhD Hokusoh HEMS/Shock and Trauma Center Chiba Hokusoh Hospital Nippon Medical School 1715, Kamakari, Inzai, Chiba Pref., 270-1964, Japan E-mail hmatsu@nms.ac.jp
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Abstract

Introduction

Since 2001, a Japanese national project has developed a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) system (“doctor-helicopter”) and a central Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) composed of mobile and trained medical teams for rapid deployment during the response phase of a disaster.

Problem

In Japan, the DMAT Research Group has focused on command and control of doctor-helicopters in future disasters. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of such planning, as well as the problems encountered in deploying the doctor-helicopter fleet with DMAT members following the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Methods

This study was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of aeromedical disaster relief activities following the Great East Japan Earthquake and to evaluate the assembly and operations of 15 doctor-helicopter teams dispatched for patient evacuation with medical support.

Results

Fifteen DMATs from across Japan were deployed from March 11th through March 13th to work out of two doctor-helicopter base hospitals. The dispatch center at each base hospital directed its own doctor-helicopter fleet under the command of DMAT headquarters to transport seriously injured or ill patients out of hospitals located in the disaster area. Disaster Medical Assistance Teams transported 149 patients using the doctor-helicopters during the first five days after the earthquake. The experiences and problems encountered point to the need for DMATs to maintain direct control over 1) communication between DMAT headquarters and dispatch centers; 2) information management concerning patient transportation; and 3) operation of the doctor-helicopter fleet during relief activities. As there is no rule of prioritization for doctor-helicopters to refuel ahead of other rotorcraft, many doctor-helicopters had to wait in line to refuel.

Conclusion

The “doctor-helicopter fleet” concept was vital to Japan's disaster medical assistance and rescue activities. The smooth and immediate dispatch of the doctor-helicopter fleet must occur under the direct control of the DMAT, independent from local government authority. Such a command and control system for dispatching the doctor-helicopter fleet is strongly recommended, and collaboration with local government authorities concerning refueling priority should be addressed.

MatsumotoH, MotomuraT, HaraY, MasudaY, MashikoK, YokotaH, KoidoY. Lessons Learned from the Aeromedical Disaster Relief Activities Following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(2):1-4.

Keywords

Disaster Medical Assistance Teamdisaster medical reliefdoctor-helicopterEmergency Medical ServiceGreat East Japan Earthquakehelicopter
Type
Special Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , April 2013 , pp. 166 - 169
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2013

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References

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