J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2018 Dec;29(6):585-594. 10.0000/jksem.2018.29.6.585.

Experience of a Disaster Medical Assistant Team activation in the fire disaster at Jecheon sports complex building: limitation and importance of rescue

• Jung SG
• Kim YS
• Kim OH
• Lee KH
• Kim KL
• Jung WJ

• KMID: 2432048
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksem.2018.29.6.585

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to report on the progress of the fire at Jecheon sports complex and to assess the adequacy of Disaster Medical Assistant Team (DMAT)'s activities in response to the fire disaster.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review based on camera recordings and medical records that were recorded at the disaster site for assessment of activities. We cooperated with firefighters, police officers, local hospital medical staffs and public health personnel in Jecheon in order to classify patients in the disaster field and to understand the patients' progress.
RESULTS
At 15:53, the first request for emergency rescue came to the 119 general emergency call center, and a request for DMAT activation came at 16:28. DMAT arrived at the site at 17:04 and remained active until the following day at 00:43. The total number of casualties was 60, including 27 minimal (Green) patients, 29 expectant (Black) patients, three delayed (Yellow) patients, and one immediate (Red) patient. There were 32 patients who received on-site care by DMAT. Two patients were transferred from a local hospital to Wonju Severance Christian Hospital for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
CONCLUSION
Twenty-nine victims were found in the sports complex building, and there were 31 mildly to moderately injured patients in this fire disaster. The main cause of death was thought to be smoke suffocation. Although DMAT was activated relatively quickly, it was not able to provide effective activity due to the late rescue and difficulty with fire suppression.

Keyword

Disasters; Fires; Medical assistance

MeSH Terms

Asphyxia
Cause of Death
Chungcheongbuk-do*
Disasters*
Emergencies
Firefighters
Fires*
Gangwon-do
Humans
Hyperbaric Oxygenation
Medical Assistance
Medical Records
Medical Staff, Hospital
Police
Public Health
Retrospective Studies
Smoke
Sports*
Smoke