Call of the Quarter

The latter part of May was hot and dry.  The type of weather that is ripe for forest fires.  A burning ban was in effect for the Glasgow area during this time.  A statewide drought had water levels down to its lowest levels in years.  It was the type of scenario that had city planners and civil engineers looking upward and praying for rain.

Late evening on June 5, a small thunderstorm swept through southern Rockbridge County, bringing with it a small amount of rain and a lot of lighting.  One bolt of lightning struck a mountaintop area known as the “Hickory Stand”.  Once ignited, this small fire erupted into the conflagration officially known as the “Marbleyard Complex Fire”.  This fire scorched over 3,000 acres within three weeks. 

During the initial phase of fire containment, 343 forestry personnel were working to contain the fire.  Approximately 250 firefighters were on the ground creating firebreaks.  The remaining personnel were for ground and aerial support. 

During this operation, we were requested by the US Forestry Department to stand by for medical emergencies.  We set up our ambulance at the Hopper’s Creek Area.  This area was also used by the USFD as a helicopter base.  The USFD utilized three helicopters.  Two were for dropping water on fire lines; one was used for reconnaissance and for evacuating firefighters that were injured.

On Tuesday, June 18, 2002, we had received a call from Central Dispatch relayed by Base Command that an injured fire fighter was coming off the mountain due to a hand injury.  We were routed to the Belfast Trailhead, on the opposite side of the fire.  We were told that the firefighter was walking down the trail, as the terrain was deemed too steep for a helicopter evacuation.  Further information relayed to us revealed that the firefighter had sustained a second and third degree burn to his right hand and forearm.

EMT’s Chris Flint and William Wheeler arrived at the trailhead to await the firefighter.  About 45 minutes later, the patient arrived with another firefighter assisting him.  This other firefighter, Robert Wade, we learned, is a paramedic with the Chesterfield Fire Department.  Upon assessing the patient’s injury, we noted that there were large watery blisters covering his hand, along with some charring of the flesh along the palm.  This patient needed pain management and fluids immediately.  Seeing that we were BLS personnel, Paramedic Wade asked if he could assist.  We stated that he could; however, we needed to get permission from Medical Control prior to opening the cardiac box to retrieve the pain medication. 

EMT Wheeler radioed Medical Control to speak to the doctor on duty.  He then explained the situation to the doctor and handed the radio to Paramedic Wade so that he could relay all pertinent information about the patient’s status to the doctor.

Once permission was granted, Paramedic Wade set to work.  EMT Flint assisted Paramedic Wade with setting up the IV lines and obtaining the patient’s vital signs.  EMT Wheeler applied Lidocaine gel and an icepack to the burned area.  Paramedic Wade administered two Ml's of Morphine to the patient with some relief.  After a few minutes, two more Ml's was administered.  The patient stated that he felt relief with the second dose.

Following the Morphine, an IV of normal saline was administered.  Paramedic Wade monitored the patient’s mental status, while EMT Flint monitored the vital signs.  We arrived at Stonewall Jackson Hospital where the patient was treated and released.

We learned later that the patient was working on the fire lines, creating a firebreak.  When the patient was taking a water break, he tripped over a stump and fell into the fire.  The patient was not wearing his gloves at the time.  If the patient were wearing his gloves, he would not have been burned.