SAN DIEGO–In response to a request from the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), American Medical Response of San Diego (AMR San Diego) in conjunction with the County of San Diego Emergency Medical Services and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department activated an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance Strike Team (AST) which is currently traveling to Calexico, California.
Led by an Ambulance Strike Team Leader (ASTL), the AST consists of five Paramedic ambulances, and a Disaster Medical Support Unit (DMSU). Collectively, these resources will provide vital surge capacity to assist local authorities in delivering essential emergency medical services (EMS) given increased demand associated with recent seismic activity.
“For over 60 years, AMR has provided San Diego County residents and visitors with exceptional patient care and has been a committed partner to the County in responding to and mitigating the impact of major disasters,” said Travis Kusman, AMR Public Information Officer. “AMR continues to stand ready to provide services which are patient focused, customer centered and caregiver inspired at a moments notice and is proud to be in a position to make a positive difference for people in need in disaster situations in conjunction with EMS system partners.”
Supported by the DMSU which is a specially outfitted and configured emergency response vehicle that is the size of a large moving van, the AST is equipped to be completely self-sufficient while operating under austere conditions in a disaster area for up to 72 hours. The following is a partial list of the medical equipment contained within the DMSU: incident command and triage equipment, trauma kits, basic and advanced life support kits, equipment for mass administration of oxygen, infection control and personal protective equipment, spinal immobilization boards and splinting equipment.
Additionally, each DMSU contains blankets, bottled water, ready-to-eat meals, emergency lights, and portable floodlights and generators.
