Search-and-rescue team attracts BC physician
CMAJ 1997;157:632
"The best thing I've done in years," said Dr. Mike Flesher after completing a 1-week training session with Canada's first Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team (HUSAR) in Vancouver this summer. Flesher, a 35-year-old emergency physician, is the only doctor on the 62-member team, which includes fire and police personnel, paramedics and engineers.
Funded by the City of Vancouver and the federal government, HUSAR, which is modelled on similar units in the US, is designed to deal with earthquakes, terrorist activity and other disasters. The recent training exercise took place in a simulated earthquake zone. The team learned to lift heavy objects, design ladder and rope systems, identify structural instability and handle hazardous materials.
Flesher, who has a background in construction and climbing, decided to join the team because he is interested in "so many other things outside the medical aspect" of rescue work, and enjoys teamwork. "Everyone brings some knowledge that is useful," he says.
Flesher brings to HUSAR the expertise he gained in 1996 during a "confined-space" medical course. A doctor may only have access to a trapped person's elbow, he explained, and crush injuries may be complicated by hazardous materials, choking caused by dust, starvation, dehydration and the amount of time lapsed since the injury. Anticipating the health problems of someone who is still trapped and reassessing the situation as rubble is removed are key parts of Flesher's role. To round out his skills, he plans to spend time in operating rooms learning more about amputation and airway management. His responsibilities also include caring for the HUSAR team and its police dogs; the latter task means he has to spend time with the police dog squad and its veterinarian.
Two other emergency physicians have expressed interest in joining the team, and Flesher would welcome them. The team is designed to function in 2 groups of 31 members for 12-hour shifts, with 2 physicians available per shift. The group will continue to practise monthly and hopes to be operational by next January. This month HUSAR will be meeting with federal officials to discuss the possibility of creating units in other provinces. -- © Heather Kent
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