Salina Kansas Fire Department crews where dispatched to a medical alarm for a report of a “male subject not breathing”. Upon their arrival crews were met by a female subject stating that she thought her boy friend was not breathing. The crew found a male subject seated in a recliner code blue. Crew members started patient care, and soon began feeling ill themselves. The crew exited the structure and collapsed outside. Additional units were dispatched to the scene, and Carbon Monoxide readings in excess of 800 ppm were detected inside the structure. In all 4 Fire Department personnel were treated and released for Carbon Monoxide exposure, 1 civilian died, and 1 civilian was admitted for further treatment.
Following post incident reviews the Department has place Carbon Monoxide detectors on the EMS initial response bags.
Fast forward 1 year.
Feb. 1st 2011 SFD crews were dispatched to a local vehicle dealership for a subject “Stumbling and sweating badly”. Upon their arrival crews entered the structure where they recognized the odor of vehicle exhaust, at basically the same time the Carbon Monoxide detector on their EMS response bag went into full alarm, the EMS crew quickly evacuated everyone from the structure and requested an Engine company for investigation. The engine company found Carbon Monoxide readings in excess of 500 ppm inside the structure. No Fire Department injuries occurred and all civilian patients recovered fully.
Lessons Learned
Take the proper protective equipment with you every time, even on the everyday medic run. You can not see deadly atmospheric conditions, a simple gas monitor can, and the cost vs. benefit is beyond comparison.
