Collapse rescue and crush medicine
are cutting-edge skills in
the delivery of pre-hospital
medical care. Rescue medics trained
in these special operations save lives
by beginning patient treatment before
extrication. Fortunately, Paramedics
Brian Frayne and Joel Pierce completed
this specialized training and
were on duty and able to respond to a
construction accident on June 27,
2006, in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
At 1035 hours, a call came into
the 911 system for an injury at a construction
site at 145 11th Street. Two
brothers were buried under 15 feet of
concrete below grade during a reconstruction
project.
Getting the two workers out of
the rubble was only half the battle.
The true fight was against time and
the effects of crush injury syndrome,
which could prove deadly.
Constriction of the chest cavity would
hamper the victim’s ability to breathe.
With specialty units from both FDNY
and NYPD working to free the victims,
the two Paramedics completed
the triad of response.
Both medics knew the extrication
was going to be extended and there
were going to be complications from
the injuries. Because of the nature of
these injuries, circulation was being
compromised and high levels of lactic
acid were building up in the blood.
Paramedics Frayne and Pierce
entered the treacherous site, bringing
their training and skills.
Working under hazardous and
stressful conditions, they initiated
intravenous therapy to the more serious
of the victims. They used discretionary
protocols under the direction
of on-scene Medical Control to
administer sodium bicarbonate, counteracting
the metabolic effects of his
injuries and allowing his body to
maintain homeostasis during the
extrication and transport process.
The therapy had an almost immediate
positive result and both medics noted
improvement in the patient’s mental
status and response.
More than 45 minutes after the
initial therapy commenced, the victims
were freed from the debris and
transported to Lutheran Hospital.
Shortly after the incident, both men
were able to leave the hospital with
no long-term complications expected.
FDNY acknowledges the dedication
of Paramedics Brian Frayne and
Joel Pierce to their profession and
commitment to learning new innovative
techniques. For disregarding
their personal safety and applying
specialized skills in a hazardous and
unstable environment, they are presented
with the Lieutenant Kirby
McElhearn Medal.--RT |
