10/23/2007 GAAS:847:07 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Additional Resources for Californians Displaced by Wildfires with Special Medical Needs
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the activation of a California Medical Assistance Team (CalMAT) and two federal Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT). The CalMAT is currently en route to San Diego and will be based at Qualcomm Stadium. DMATs are preparing to deploy and will arrive in Southern California tomorrow from Washington and New Mexico.
"We will continue to coordinate the state's response with local officials as requests come in and are directing resources throughout the affected counties," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Everyone is working together to make sure the appropriate personnel and equipment are in the right spots."
Each DMAT and CalMAT is composed of approximately 35 civilian volunteers from the medical, health and mental health care professions. The teams provide medical care in disaster areas or medical services at transfer points and reception sites associated with patient evacuation, and in this case the devastating Southern California fires. These teams are scheduled to be deployed for approximately 10 days, after which time their need will be reevaluated.
Governor Schwarzenegger's Administration is working with the affected counties to identify sites where the DMATs need to be directed for maximum effectiveness.
In addition to activating the medical teams, the state has mobilized additional supplies and equipment for 2,000 medical beds known as "alternate care site beds" that can be deployed as needed to evacuation centers. Supplies are divided into caches, each of which provide enough supplies and equipment to care for 50 patients for 7 to 10 days. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will be sending a total of 20 trucks, each carrying two 50 patient caches, for a total of 2,000 alternate care site beds. The primary cache contents are packaged into nine categories providing all hazard medical care, including:
1. IV Fluids
2. Bandages and Wound Management
3. Airway Management
4. Immobilization
5. Patient Bedding, Gowns, Cots, Misc.
6. Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies
7. Exam Supplies
8. General Supplies
9. Defibrillators
CDPH Director Dr. Mark Horton and California Emergency Medical Services Director Dr. Cesar Aristeiguieta are in Southern California to ensure the state's resources are being utilized to the fullest capacities. Additionally, in response to reports that displaced Californians with critical medical needs were evacuated to ill-equipped facilities, such as the San Diego High School, a team of CDPH facility licensing nurses have been on hand to assist patients in need of specialized skilled nursing care.
