Experiences of a Disaster Medical Assistant Team in the Chun-cheon Landslide Disaster

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the expierience of the Wonju Disaster Medical Assistant Team (DMAT)'s activities during the Chun-cheon landslide (AM 0008 on July 7th, 2011) and to present damages caused by the landslide. The scale of the domestic DMAT in the landslide disaster was also assessed. METHODS: In a retrograde study, victims were analyzed video camera recordings and medical records at the landslide disaster. Follow-up surveys of patients taken to the hospital after the Chun-cheon landslide were also analyzed. In addition, pertinence of the Wonju DMAT's activities during the rescue activity, designated by National Emergency Management, were evaluated. RESULTS: Rescue efforts continued until 1300 on July 7th, 2011. The number of casualties was forty one, consisted of three immediate patients, six delayed patients, nineteen minimal patients, and thirteen expectant patients. The Wonju DMAT arrived at the scene of the landslide disaster at AM 0230 on July 7th, 2011. After installing a medical office, they categorized patients by ID-ME classification and provided medical treatment to twenty-two patients, including local residents and rescue workers. CONCLUSION: The cause of death in the landslide disaster was suffocation. A small-scale DMAT rescue, composed on five to six people, is more proper for disaster response in a landslide disaster.