Ambulances housed at Firehouses

[gamomof2]

I know there are at least two firehouses that are near WDW resorts. We go next week for 7 days. Staying at SSR. Our daughter while there has to take some IV medicine (just once thankfully) that might cause some type of anaphylactic reaction. It hasn't yet (in 9 years) but might. We have an Epi-pen.

I was wondering if like at home, do the firehouses support an ambulance crew? If not, would Celebration hospital be the closest with an ambulance? Anyone ever have to call an ambulance from the DTD resorts? response time?

Thanks

 

[ducklite]

All fire fighters in the state of Florida are Paramedics, or at minimum EMT's actively working on a paramedic certification. A firecrew would never go out without at least one paramedic.

If there is an emergency and you call 9-1-1, you will get a full rig with basic lifesaving equipment, including O2 and an AED, as well as at least one paramedic.

The response time is generally under five minutes. The resorts are also all equiped with AED units and all security personnel as well as many managers have been trained to use the devices.

It's as safe a place as home to have a problem, if not safer. I would avoid giving the medicine at times where there coupld be traffic bottle necks such as park opening and closing times.

Anne

 

[gamomof2]

thanks. we usually infuse around 7 or 8 pm. that way she can finish up and go on to bed to sleep off any side effects (aggravating ones, not the life threatening ones).

This is our longest trip since we started giving the medicine weekly instead of monthly so we're alittle apprehensive.

 

[Forevryoung]

I don't know how much you know about the epi-pen but a heads up that it is always better to give it than not. It is one of those meds that will have side effects (increased heart rate etc.) but is fairly "safe".

You will see the effects of it work very quickly.

Just make sure that when you inject it, that you pay close attention to which side has the needle... It happens more often than you would guess that the person has their thumb on the wrong side

I can check with my boyfriend who is a paramedic but I don't know if there is anything else they can do after the epi-pen is administered other than monitor and transport to the hospital (or if you have any other related questions, he has great answers)

Hope you never need it-

PS I'm an EMT on an ambulance... seen the epi-pen used.

 

[mrmagicmph]

I know there are at least two firehouses that are near WDW resorts. We go next week for 7 days. Staying at SSR. Our daughter while there has to take some IV medicine (just once thankfully) that might cause some type of anaphylactic reaction. It hasn't yet (in 9 years) but might. We have an Epi-pen.

I was wondering if like at home, do the firehouses support an ambulance crew? If not, would Celebration hospital be the closest with an ambulance? Anyone ever have to call an ambulance from the DTD resorts? response time?

Thanks

I've had the priviledge of having visited and toured the Reedy Creek Improvement District's (WDW's fire and EMS provider) headquarters station (looked like a Lego station over near the Boardwalk when coming from DTD) and seeing some of what they are capable of. First, just so that you will understand, I am not in any way affiliated with RCID or with WDW but I am a paramedic and have been in the past a senior administrator dealing with EMS and EMS regulation in two separate states (neither of them Florida).

RCID has a VERY good system in place that is VERY responsive. There are 4 stations at RCID and I believe every ambulance is staffed by paramedics. Paramedics are fully trained to assist with anaphylactic reactions and can administer epinephrine to counteract the reaction along with other skills including the insertion of breathing tubes, etc. Also, while I am not certain of this off the top of my head, I believe that there is a second fire station (other than the headquarters station) that is even closer to DTD. RCID is considered to have a very good response time and has excellent equipment and training.

As for which hospital is closest, I honestly cannot tell you off the top of my head. However, I can say that the BEST thing to do when you're in a city other than your own (& often even when you are) is to trust the EMS crew to take the patient to the nearest APPROPRIATE facility. What do I mean by that? Very simple. We'll pick 2 patients with similar but distinct emergencies (lets say they're NOT at WDW but are in a semi-major metropolitan area). Both patients are suffering a fairly badly broken leg (say in the thigh area). Patient #1 did it by having tripped on a curb and fallen "just right" onto a large concrete planter, causing the leg to break. Patient #2 got a broken leg while crossing the street and getting hit by a car driving at 50 miles per hour. Now, for our example, we have 2 hospitals. Hospital A is 5 miles away and is your regular "community" hospital with all its normal every day services. Hospital B is an accredited trauma center. Patient #1 might be transported to Hospital A or Hospital B, depending on the way they appear, how stable they are, and their own preference at the time. Patient #2 SHOULD, however, probably be transported to Hospital B to be evaluated. Sometimes what seems "simple" is not really so simple and may require more knowledge to be absolutely certain, given the speed of the crash, etc.

Why do I bring this up? Very simple. You didn't mention how old your DD is, but, I'm going to presume that she may still be a child (not just your child, but physically a child). If so, depending on the circumstances, how stable she is, how she is reacting to treatment, and many other factors, sometimes it most appropriate to transport to the CLOSEST hospital, and sometimes its most appropriate to transport to a CHILDREN'S hospital. The paramedics are trained to help make that decision and if they are EVER uncertain, they are in contact with a base hospital physician (think of the doctors from Rampart General from the old tv show Emergency, if you've ever seen it) who will help them make ANY close calls; that's what they're there for.

If you have any questions about their services, I know that RCID is always happy to answer questions and even have people stop by to see what they have, etc. You can get more information about the Reedy Creek Improvement District's Emergency Services from the RCID website at http://www.rcid.org I'm sure they won't mind if you called and asked some questions if you're still uncertain.

Whatever you do, PLEASE enjoy the Magic!

 

[ducklite]

A few comments on the previous post...

There is a substation in DTD, but no rig, it's just medics on foot. There is another fire station back towards Fort Wilderness/MK in a backstage area if I recall correctly.

Yes, every rig that rolls has at least one paramedic onboard. Usually it's full staffed with two to three medics, depending on several factors.

Celebration hospital is the closest, and is supposed to be an excellent facility, with an good peds unit. Orlando Regional Medical Center is the closest trauma center. Arnold Palmer W&C is where some pediatric trauma, and many pediatric emergencies go, BUT it's a LOT futher than Celebration. My guess is that for something like an anaphylaxis, they would transport to Celebration. Although it's certainly life-threatening, anaphalactic shock is not "trauma" and treatment is pretty routine. If the patient didn't respond to indicated treatment at Celebration, they would most likely look at moving them to APWC.

A little more info, they are not afraid to call life flight in this area. There are at least three life flight choppers available with flight crews at all times. I'm pretty sure Life Flight only transports to ORMC and Arnold Palmer, which is a world-class childrens hospital (which also has an excellent OB unit)

Anne

 

[pugdog]

The 4 stations all have paramedic rigs.
There is a station behind MK.
One between Epcot, MGM, Boardwalk.
One across the street from SSR,
and the final one is over by AK.
They are currently figuring out where to build a 5th one.