Role of Emergency Medical Services in Disaster Response: Resource Document for the National Association of EMS Physicians Position Statement

Emergency care for life-threatening pediatric illness and injury requires specialized resources including equipment, drugs, trained personnel, and facilities. The American Medical Association Commission on Emergency Medical Services has provided guidelines for the categorization of hospital pediatric emergency facilities that have been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).1 This document was used as the basis for these revised guidelines, which define: 1. The desirable characteristics of a system of Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) that may help achieve a reduction in mortality and morbidity, including long-term disability. 2. The role of health care facilities in identifying and organizing the resources necessary to provide the best possible pediatric emergency care within a region. 3. An integrated system of facilities that provides timely access and appropriate levels of care for all critically ill or injured children. 4. The responsibility of the health cane facility for support of medical control of pre-hospital activities and the pediatric emergency care and education of pre-hospital providers, nurses, and physicians. 5. The role of pediatric centers in providing outreach education and consultation to community facilities. 6. The role of health cane facilities for maintaining communication with the medical home of the patient. Children have their emergency care needs met in a variety of settings, from small community hospitals to large medical centers. Resources available to these health care sites vary, and they may not always have the necessary equipment, supplies, and trained personnel required to meet the special needs of pediatric patients during emergency situations.

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Resolutions of The National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Directors: 1994

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x00041868 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 124-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Emergency Medical Services ◽

National Association ◽

Medical Services ◽

Emergency Medical

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The 1994 Northridge Earthquake Disaster Response: The Local Emergency Medical Services Agency Experience

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x00042916 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 172-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Samuel J. Stratton ◽

Virginia Price Hastings ◽

Darlene Isbell ◽

John Celentano ◽

Miguel Ascarrunz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Medical Services ◽

Northridge Earthquake ◽

Power Sources ◽

Incident Command ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

1994 Northridge Earthquake

AbstractIntroduction:This paper describes the 1994 Northridge earthquake experience of the local emergency medical services (EMS) agency. Discussed are means that should improve future local agency disaster responses.Methods:Data reported are descriptive and were collected from multiple independent sources, and can be reviewed publicly and confirmed. Validated data collected during the disaster by the Local EMS Agency also are reported.Results:The experience of the Los Angeles County EMS Agency was similar to that of earthquake disasters previously reported. Communication systems, water, food, shelter, sanitation means, power sources, and medical supplies were resources needed early in the disaster. Urban Search and Rescue Teams and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams were important elements in the response to the Northridge earthquake. The acute phase of the disaster ended within 48 to 72 hours and public health then became the predominant health-care issue. Locating community food and water supplies near shelters, providing transportation to medical care, and public-health visits to shelter locations helped prevent the development of long-term park encampments. An incident command system for the field, hospitals, and government responders was necessary for an organized response to the disaster.Conclusion:Disaster preparedness, multiple forms of reliable communication, rapid mobilization of resources, and knowledge of available state and federal resources are necessary for a disaster response by a local EMS agency.

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