Coyote Fire Medical Extraction 2016

On May 17, 2016 a member of a Wildland Fire Module stepped backwards into an agave plant on the Coyote Fire in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. A spike from the agave plant was imbedded into the firefighter’s calf muscle and Achilles tendon, about two inches above the top of his boot (he was wearing 10-inch boots) and broke off. Paramedics responded. After assessing the injury it was determined that they were unable to remove the spike. Options were discussed. The best possible treatment was determined to be administering lidocaine to the impaled area—a treatment that went outside of protocol for the line medics—and allowing the firefighter to hike out under his own power.

After six hours of hiking, the injured firefighter, Paramedics, and supporting firefighters made it back to the vehicles where the injured firefighter was transported to the Emergency Room for treatment. After taking X-rays, doctors on staff there were unable to locate the spike and therefore referred him to a specialist for treatment the following day. However, complications ensued with Workers’ Compensation and the filing of the claim that prohibited the specialist from seeing the firefighter and treating him the next day. The decision was made to transport the firefighter to his home unit where he could seek medical treatment where he was familiar with doctors and hospital staff. Four days after filing his claim, the firefighter still had issues with seeking treatment—even on his home turf—until the doctor at the local hospital declared an emergency “due to possible loss of the leg” and convinced the administration to allow the surgery to proceed.

Extended Attack, Medical Emergency, RLS, Medevac, Medical or Exertion