For release by: Madison Benton, Chief of EMS
Contact: Tyler White, Asst. Chief Public Relations Officer
NEWS RELEASE
02/06/2020
At 8:50 a.m., Western Carolina University Emergency Services received a medical call at our Health and Human Sciences Building.
At 8:53 a.m., WCU Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to a possible Hazmat Incident.
At 9:01 a.m., WCU EMS units arrived on-scene and it was determined that there were multiple patients needing care. Harris Regional EMS as well as other mutual aid was called to assist in managing the incident. WCU Police, Emergency Services and Facilities Management, along with Jackson County Emergency Management, Cullowhee Volunteer Fire Department, and the State of North Carolina’s Rapid Response Team 6 out of Asheville responded to the scene. The building was immediately evacuated and locked down for investigation.
By 9:43 a.m., units from Harris Regional EMS and WCU EMS transported 5 students and 1 professor to nearby Harris Regional Hospital for symptoms including syncope, headache, lightheadedness, and chest tightness. An additional 4 students refused care.
At approximately 10:05 a.m. a fully functioning Field Treatment Area was established by WCU EMS at the Regional Ramsey Activity Center to triage and treat additional patients that were affected by the incident, with full support from University Health Services, including an on-site nurse and physician.
By 1500 hours, a total of 49 patients complaining of similar symptoms were evaluated and treated at the Field Treatment Area. A combined total of 59 patients were evaluated by EMS and University Health Services throughout the entire incident.
WCU Emergency Medical Services would like to thank all of our mutual aid partners who responded for the role they played in successfully managing today’s incident. A special thanks is warranted to WCU Athletics and the staff of the Ramsey Center for allowing us to use their facility and assisting with multiple parts of the operation, to include supplying additional oxygen, exam tables, privacy curtains, and water.
The safety of WCU’s students, staff and faculty is our top priority. Please go to emergency.wcu.edu for updates as they develop.
Additional Information: Western Carolina building evacuated after 'hazardous materials incident,' university says (CNN)
By Geoff Cantrell
Western Carolina University News
For the third straight year, student emergency medical services at Western Carolina University has received “Striving for Excellence” honors, as well as an “EMS Ready Campus” award, for its training and preparedness in mass causality situations.
The recognition came during the National Collegiate EMS Foundation 26th annual conference, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. WCU also received a “Heart Safe Campus” designation for overall capabilities to react to cardiac response situations and a special achievement certificate for 50 years of continuous service.
Founded in 1993, the foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to the advancement and support of campus-based emergency medical services. It serves as an umbrella group for more than 250 constituent member colleges and universities that provide these services.
WCU EMS is a basic life support service licensed by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services.
“The awards and designation as a ‘Heart Safe Campus’ reflect the hard work, dedication and care that each one of the team members demonstrates daily,” said Pam Buchanan, university health services director. “The safety and well-being of everyone on campus gains from their service.”
WCU EMS is a basic life support service licensed by the state and operating in affiliation with Harris Regional Hospital’s EMS to provide 911 emergency response to the campus community.
“We are constantly working to ensure our agency is the best it can be, because when someone calls for help, they expect the best to show up,” said Madison Benton, WCU EMS chief. “I am very proud of these awards because they reflect the steps that we have taken over the past three years to better our agency and community, as well as recognize the dedication of some individuals who have put in the hard work to have WCU EMS recognized on a national level. All of our employees, past and present, also should be recognized by this campus community for their commitment to serving others, their passion to educate the community and their care for their fellow students. I could not ask for a better group of people to work with.”
Many of the 22 students involved with WCU EMS are enrolled in the university’s Emergency Medical Care Program.
Originally published at https://news-prod.wcu.edu/2019/03/wcu-ems-achieves-national-recognition-for-campus-response-action/
