Empowering Emergency Responders to Treat on Scene Alleviates Hospital Strain During Disaster Events

Abstract Disasters often lead to increased generator use, resulting in carbon monoxide poisonings (COP) and burn injuries that can overwhelm regional burn centers. Following Hurricane Ida, EMS providers in southeastern Louisiana were empowered to treat minor COP and burn injuries on scene without hospital transport. This study evaluated the impact of that policy. Using EMS and Louisiana Emergency Response Network (LERN) data, we analyzed EMS calls from three periods surrounding Hurricane Ida’s landfall on August 29, 2021: PRE-IDA (07/08–08/25), MID-IDA (08/26–09/08), and POST-IDA (09/09–10/31). We tracked call volumes, transport rates, and EMS turnaround times. Weekly calls were compared using Kruskal-Wallis tests and negative binomial regression; transport rates were assessed using Chi-squared tests. EMS received 1607 COP or burn-related calls during the study period. PRE-IDA, EMS averaged 15.3 calls/day (89% COP), with transport rates of 98% for COP and 61% for burns; turnaround time averaged 63 ± 36 minutes. MID-IDA saw a rise to 20.9 calls/day (84% COP), with transport rates of 78% for COP and 73% for burns; turnaround was 64 ± 31 minutes. POST-IDA, calls declined to 10.6/day, with 97% of COP and 61% of burns transported; turnaround was 69 ± 49 minutes. No repeat EMS calls were made by patients treated on scene. The study observed a significant increase in CO-related EMS dispatches during MID-IDA, with a concurrent decrease in hospital transports, indicating successful on-scene care. EMS turnaround times remained stable across all periods. These findings highlight effective collaboration between EMS and burn centers during disaster response.