The Evaluation of Responses and Abilities of 119 EMTs to Perform Pediatric Triage

This study aimed to evaluate the pediatric triage performance of 119 Emergency Medicine Technologists (EMTs) at a fire station, based on mass casualty incident scenarios of a pediatric disaster, and to evaluate effective measures of response. EMTs (N = 58) at a provincial fire station participated in this study and were asked to complete three questionnaires: one ‘general characteristics’ questionnaire, one problem solving questionnaire, consisting of questions based on mass casualty incident scenarios, and a post-questionnaire to explore the necessity of pediatric triage based on their responses. We used SPSS to analyze the data. The EMT-paramedics’ scores were high and statistically significant (p < .002). All 48 questions concerning the three scenarios were converted to a score ranging from 0 to 100 with an average score of 70.92 and an average correct response rate of 70%. We also found that the participants’ rate of recognition of the pediatric triage tool was significantly lower than that of the adult tool (p < .030). The usage rate was also low, at approximately 19.09%. After solving the questionnaire problems, the respondents reported a significantly higher score concerning the necessity of the pediatric triage tools than before (p < .006). Firefighting departments integrate pediatric triage tools into the E-triage system. However, EMTs should receive continuous training and practice to improve their pediatric triage tool classification capabilities.

COVID-19 outbreak among French firefighters, Marseille, France, 2020

We investigated a COVID-19 outbreak at a fire station in Marseille, France. Confirmed cases were defined as individuals with positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and/or neutralising antibodies. All 85 firefighters at work during the outbreak period were included after questioning and sampled for RT-PCR and viral neutralisation assay. Twenty-three firefighters were confirmed positive, 19 of them were symptomatic, and four asymptomatic cases were confirmed by virus neutralisation. A total of 22 firefighters had specific neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Neutralising antibodies were found in four asymptomatic and 18 symptomatic cases. Eleven symptomatic cases had high titres (≥ 1:80). The earliest detection of neutralising antibodies was 7 days after symptom onset, and 80% had neutralising antibodies 15 days after onset. One viral culture was positive 13 days after onset. The attack rate was 27%. We identified two introductions of the virus in this outbreak, through a presymptomatic and a paucisymptomatic case. Asymptomatic cases were not the source of a third generation of cases, although they worked without wearing a mask, indicating that asymptomatic cases did not play a significant role in this outbreak. Management and strategy based on early research of clinical signs associated with self-quarantine was effective.

Factors influencing emergency medical competencies of health centers and fire stations in areas that are vulnerable to earthquakes

Objective This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the emergency medical competency (EMC), perceived by the fire station and health center staff, in the areas where of emergency medical vulnerability where earthquakes had occurred.Methods This study was conducted between December 2019 and February 2020. A proper questionnaire was created to evaluate EMC in disaster situations and administered to the fire station and the health center groups. Descriptive variables of each group were calculated. The Kendall rank correlation analysis was used to measure the relationships between the demographic variables, disaster-related variables, and EMC. The factors influencing the EMC for both groups were investigated in the linear regression analysis.Results For a total of 200 respondents, the mean scores of EMC were 99.85±21.24 and 95.24±20.05 for the fire station (n=96) and the health center (n=104) groups, respectively (P=0.121). EMC was significantly correlated with age, years of service, job position, natural disaster experience, disaster relief service experience, and joint disaster response exercise (P<0.050). Linear regression analysis revealed that the duration of joint disaster response exercise (β=0.640, t=11.696) in Model 1 (F=136.806, P<0.001), the duration of joint disaster response exercise (β=0.627, P<0.001), and disaster rescue service experience (β=0.124, P<0.001) in Model 2 (F=72.431, P<0.001) were independently associated with EMC improvement.Conclusion Our findings indicate that the disaster preparedness program with a longer duration of joint disaster response exercise and more frequent disaster rescue service experience is necessary for improved and systematic response to a disaster.

A Phenomenological Study on the Exposing Experience and Overcoming of Repeated Fatal Accidents of Fire-fighting Officers on Outdoor Service

The core purpose of this study is to provide useful information for educational and psychological programs for outdoor fire-fighters by comprehensive analysis of their repeated experience in exposure to fatal accidents and overcoming them. To this end, eight outdoor fire officials in charge of rescue and emergency affairs were selected as subjects of the study at a fire Station in Cheonan and conducted in-depth interviews. Subsequently, interview data were analyzed through Giorgi's phenomenological analysis method and 10 essential themes were derived as followings; the sorriness and regret of his inexperience at the scene of the fatal accident, the painfulness and sorriness for the inevitable fatal accident, a frightening and trembling emotional experience, the blocked emotional response, an emotionless experience, the spread of anxiety, the realization of the importance of confrontation, the realization of the importance of time to escape stress, an experience in the power of empathy and comfort from family and colleagues, and an experience in the importance of professional calling consciousness.

GIS-Based Emergency Fire Response for Minimization of Fire Outbreaks in the Greater Accra Metropolis, Ghana

The study report assessed the geographic distribution of existing fire stations in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA). It further sought to evaluate the spatial coverage for each fire station under predefined sustainable response times. Information on fire stations and incidents, access to sources of water and settlements were purposively obtained and visualized in Arc Map 10.6 with the multiple buffer tools. GIS web application was developed to integrate reporters and fire stations within the AMA for an efficient and effective response to emergency cases related to fire outbreaks. Results suggest that GIS application is essential to fire management as it significantly improved response time to 15 minutes, reducing causalities as well as damaged properties if the strategy is adopted. Results proved a response time of 15 minutes is feasible in the study area if the proposed strategy is adopted. The study presents this management system as one that could be easily be deployed to other stations across the country. The platform provides details on the location, the magnitude of the fire incident among other relevant details. This study would regulate and minimize risks associated with fire outbreaks which are often accompanied by both direct and indirect consequences and could facilitate early reporting using mobile collection devices.