Disasters in the News Potpourri Episode

This week on the show, Hosts Jamie Davis, the Podmedic and Sam Bradley talk about a variety of recent disaster-related topics in the news recently. They are joined by Dr. Joe Holley and paramedic Jim Logan from Paragon Medical Education Group as they discuss these recent disasters.

We talk about the port district explosion in China that killed numerous first responders and firefighters. Storage of toxic and explosive chemicals is a risk for local responders and the surrounding communities. In this situation, the responders did not know what they were facing until it was too late. Joe and Jim share their expertise on urban search and rescue situations where there are hazardous materials in place.

Next up Jamie fills the team in on a plane crash in mountainous terrain in Indonesia that challenged local rescuers. It took rescue and recovery teams two days to get to the downed aircraft and the bodies of the passengers and crew. This harkens back to our episode with Dr. Seth Hawkins on the challenges of wilderness medicine in mountainous terrain.

Finally, Sam closes things out with a cute story of two teens struck by lightning while holding hands. The ER doctor that treated them told them that holding hands saved their lives. Dr. Joe cringes as he hears that part of the story. Lightning is a very real danger to crews working outside in bad weather. Holding hands probably won’t save you.

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Again, a special thank-you to Paragon Medical Education Group for their continued support of this podcast as our partners in this endeavor to bring disaster medicine to you. Check out their page and educational resources that can help your system be more prepared for what happens in your area.

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