Temporary (Forward) Medical Station
Written by Anam Hussain
Definition:
Forward Medical statin is the area where medical activities are performed.
FMS has to be located as close as possible to the casualties but according to the first principle of DMS, location must assure safety and health of the medical teams. Hence why FMSs are located in the vicinity of the AOD, close to casualties but safe enough from DFs. The only exception is BOAD, as FMS is located directly within it. The main issues to be taken into consideration when choosing the location of the AOD include:
- Damaging factors (DFs)
- Localisation of the casualties
- Critical infrastructure
- Risk factors
- Terrain e.g. frim found, avoid swamps, flooded areas
- Transport routes
Medical operations to be executed in FMS include:
- Triage
- Stabilisation
- Preparation for and medical evacuation
In accordance to such medical activities which have to be performed, FMS is made up of the following areas
- Triage area
- This area is set as an entry point to the FMS and is closest to the AOD.
- This is required as first casualties are usually seen here and many of the casualties and survivors will try and evacuate themselves from the AOD, spontaneously.
- Some of these casualties could be contaminated or aggressive and are triaged as dangerous, hence they are not allowed to enter the FMS
- Casualties are first isolated hence why triage area has to be located close to both isolation areas
- After decontamination in isolation areas, injured are readmitted to triage area where a physician and pre-physician aid is provided
- Most experienced physician performs triage
- Nurses/technicians keep records
- Sanitary attendants and stretcher bearers transport casualties to respective areas for DMS continuation
- Search and rescue teams bring in T1, T2 and T4 to triage area, T3 are directed by CD FSPP and come on their own
- Active treatment area
- Those which are medically triaged as T1 are sent to Active treatment area because they require life-saving, urgent medical aid
- Life-saving and stabilising activities are performed
- When T1 are stabilised to T2, they are then transferred to Active monitoring Area
- Nurse keeps records
- In spite of the active treatment procedures, some T1s could remain in life-threatening conditions and so are rapidly prepared for medical evacuation. From the Active treatment area, they are sent directly to the evacuation area
- Active monitoring area
- This is where all T2 are transferred to after triage is performed