Medical Support for California Wildfire Response. (22nd December 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Backer, Howard; Duncan, David; Christensen, Kate; Devereaux, Asha; Rosen, Brett; Noste, Erin; Wright, Chuck; Johnson, Craig
• Is Part Of: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Volume 17(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-12-22
• Subjects: delivery of health care -- disaster -- emergency medical services -- emergency shelters -- health facilities -- wildfire; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Planning -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2021.347
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7893

Abstract

Abstract: Wildfires have become a regular seasonal disaster across the Western region of the United States. Wildfires require a multifaceted disaster response. In addition to fire suppression, there are public health and medical needs for responders and the general population in the path of the fire, as well as a much larger population impacted by smoke. This paper describes key aspects of the health and medical response to wildfires in California, including facility evacuation and shelter medical support, with emphasis on the organization, coordination, and management of medical teams deployed to fire incident base camps. This provides 1 model of medical support and references resources to help other jurisdictions that must respond to the rising incidence of large wildland fires.