(P2-77) The Unique Role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in an Earthquake – A Community Based Approach

Abstract

Introduction

Timely actions can facilitate the efficacy of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response in disaster by understanding the scale of event and shifting of traditional tasks. A simple scaling system of earthquakes/disasters by ABC is proposed: Level A treated by the local EMS. One or more Multi Casualty Incident's (MCI) in a defined geographical area that can easily be Level B hours, by reinforcement of regional and national aid coordinated by automatic autonomic response. An earthquake/disaster where the EMS and medical community can complete their task within 48 Level C - An earthquake/disaster that even joint national forces cannot eliminate within 48 hours.

Methods

Information from medical systems around the world was gathered to help develop strategies to minimize the weaknesses whilst achieving the objectives of the EMS via adapting to shifting conditions.

Results

EMS goal is to provide treatment to those in need of urgent medical care and arrange for timely transfer of the patient to definitive care. EMS are not qualified or equipped to delay victims in the field for hours or days. However, many patients in earthquakes do not require definitive treatment or have an immediate lifethreatening.

Conclusion

By scaling the event by the ABC - a timely coordinated autonomic regional / national response can begin immediately. An area defined as level A will automatically back-up a level B/C area, in an event that the standard communication and activation systems collapse. Moreover, a clear shift in EMS roles will take place in a level B or C events. Available-Hours Busy-48-Hours Catastrophe-weeks Types of Levels area for delaying evacuation. Prioritizing, sorting and sending patients that require immediate attention to definitive care whilst considering availability of destination facilities and transportation resources. Patients that do not require immediate attention or cannot be saved shall await evacuation.