Abstract
Emergency Services in catastrophic flooding in Poland (2010 experience) Przemyslaw Gula MD PhD, Edyta Szafran Institute for Emergency Medicine Flooding, Natural Disasters, Rescue Operations Between 17th May and 22nd June Poland faced one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in past 100 years history. The overall area of 779300 sq km. has been flooded. The flood affected several large municipalities. Nearly 270.000 people suffered the direct effects of the flood and 31000 were evacuated from their homes, 22 people were killed. Total number of 19000 buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged. Responding services were mainly the Fire and Rescue Service, Police, EMS, Military Units as well as supporting NGO's. The rescue and relief operation focused on evacuation, providing temporary shelter, water supply, establishing medical treatment and vaccination, providing public security. One of the challenges was the threat of evacuation of the hospitals in the affected areas. The total number of 80000 of rescue personnel and 15000 of military was involved in the rescue operation. The medical emergency operation included helicopter and boat evacuation, organization of field medical posts and secondary medical transfers. 43 helicopters and 1.000 vehicles were used. One of the problem was the collapse of the telephone network that affected the 112 Emergency Dispatch System. The out coming conclusions presented the high vulnerability of local medical systems on the effects of flooding. However the logistic support of Fire and Rescue and Military recourses can give quick compensation. The role of HEMS and SAR helicopters in providing evacuation and medical assistance is essential. Special emphasis should be made on providing the coordination of multiservice response and replacing the affected local communication systems. The main conclusion after flooding was the need of stronger integration of civil and military services, procedures, communication systems and compatibility of the equipment.
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