Aeromedical helicopter use following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the role of aeromedical services in the 1989 Loma Prieta disaster response, a survey was conducted of aeromedical teams participating in the disaster.

METHODOLOGY: An investigator interviewed flight team members from all six participating helicopter services.

RESULTS: Aeromedical teams transported 31 patients after the earthquake. Of six helicopter teams, four reported landing zone (LZ) hazards. One flight team made determinations of death on five patients at one scene; two teams performed CPR enroute; two teams reported acting as airborne radio repeaters between communication centers, ground field units, and counties. Of six services, four performed over flight reconnaissance.

CONCLUSION: Regional disaster managers should incorporate aeromedical services into disaster plans. This planning should include all of the roles played by aeromedical services; patient and equipment transportation, disaster reconnaissance, and communications linkage. Aeromedical services can play an essential role in disaster mitigation.