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EMS Response to an Airliner Crash

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2012

Shuvra Dasgupta ,
Simone French ,
Jean Williams-Johnson ,
Rhonda Hutson ,
Nicole Hart ,
Mark Wong ,
Eric Williams ,
Kurdell Espinosa ,
Celeste Maycock  and
Romayne Edwards
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Shuvra Dasgupta
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Simone French
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Jean Williams-Johnson
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Rhonda Hutson
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Nicole Hart
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Mark Wong
Affiliation:
Accident and Emergency Department, Kingston Public Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Eric Williams*
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Kurdell Espinosa
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Celeste Maycock
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Romayne Edwards
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Trevor McCartney
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Division, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Shamir Cawich
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Radiology Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Section of Surgery, The University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Ivor Crandon
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Radiology Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Section of Surgery, The University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
*
Correspondence: Eric W. Williams, DM Emergency Medicine Division Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care The University of the West Indies Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies E-mail [email protected]
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Abstract

This report of an aircraft crash at a major airport in Kingston, Jamaica examines the response of the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Factors that impacted the response are discussed, and the need for more disaster simulation exercises is highlighted. The objective of this case report was to document the response of EMS personnel to the crash of American Airlines Flight 331, and to utilize the information to examine and improve the present protocol.

While multiple errors can occur during a mass-casualty event, these can be reduced by frequent simulation exercises during which various personnel practice and learn designated roles. Efficient triage, proper communication, and knowledge of the roles are important in ensuring the best possible outcome. While the triage system and response of the EMS personnel were effective for this magnitude of catastrophe, more work is needed in order to meet predetermined standards. Ways in which this can be overcome include: (1) hosting more disaster simulation exercises; (2) encouraging more involvement with first responders; and (3) strengthening the links in the local EMS system. Vigorous public education must be instituted and maintained.

Dasgupta S, French S, Williams-Johnson J, Hutson R, Hart N, Wong M, Williams E, Espinosa K, Maycock C, Edwards R, McCartney T, Cawich S, Crandon I. EMS response to an airliner crash. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(3):1-4.

Keywords

Caribbeanemergency medical servicesfirst responderJamaicamass casualtiessimulationstrainingtriage
Type
Case Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , June 2012 , pp. 299 - 302
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2012

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