Fire Chief's Report ¬– Call 9-1-1 when suffering severe chest pains

Steve Abbott

North County Fire Protection District

North County Fire crews recently responded to a child choking on a small butterfly hair clip. Standard choking procedures were attempted by bystanders prior to arrival of the paramedics without success.

Upon arrival, paramedics were ultimately able to remove this object through the use of advanced airway procedures, which included the use of a laryngoscope and Magill forceps. The child began breathing on its own and was flown by a medical airship to Children’s Hospital.

In another recent incident, a resident began experiencing severe chest pains while driving and opted to drive to a fire station. Crews happened to be at the station performing training and immediately initiated advanced cardiac life support treatment, which included administration of medication and running a 12-lead ECG (electrocardiogram).

This individual was found to be experiencing an acute myocardial infarction or “STEMI” and was immediately transported to the closest hospital with “STEMI” resuscitation capabilities. A “STEMI center” is a hospital which has a cardiac catheterization lab as well as trained staff immediately available to surgically remove clots from affected coronary arteries. This person was sent home just a few days later and is reported to be doing well.

We are fortunate here in the North County in that all three of the closest hospitals are both Stroke and STEMI centers (Temecula Valley, Palomar and Tri City) and have two medical airships in the North County (Mercy and Reach), in addition to the three paramedic ambulances and four paramedic engine companies serving Fallbrook, Bonsall and Rainbow.

It is noteworthy to add that although the incident with the driver had a very successful outcome, we strongly encourage our residents to call 9-1-1 rather than drive to a fire station as it is not uncommon for crews to be away on other calls or otherwise out of position for various functions.