At their Feb. 6 meeting, Redmond’s mayor and city council recognized first responders from the City of Redmond Public Safety Team for their quick actions during the early morning hours of Dec. 24, 2017 when 10 people were rescued from carbon monoxide (CO) exposure. Eight of 10 patients rescued were taken to local hospitals with dangerously high CO levels and in various states of consciousness. Seven of the patients received treatment at the Virginia Mason hyperbaric chamber facility. All 10 patients eventually recovered from the CO exposure.
The dispatch centers received a 911 call around 1:15 a.m. on Dec. 24 reporting what sounded like a sudden cardiac arrest. When police officers, firefighters and paramedics arrived on scene, they found eight people scattered around the townhome in various states of confusion and unconsciousness with some patients trying to help others that were vomiting and one patient having a seizure.
Firefighters quickly recognized the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning and began sampling the atmosphere with portable CO detectors. The CO detectors verified the high levels of CO in the building with the highest readings in the apartment where the eight people were found. Responders immediately evacuated the eight patients outside the building and woke other occupants of the building. Additional units from Kirkland and a private ambulance company helped transport patients to the area hospitals.
“The gentleman who made the 911 call saved lives that night,” said paramedic Jim Whitney. “When I found him (the caller) in the apartment, he had no idea what was going on and was extremely confused and incoherent even though he was communicating. If he hadn’t made that call, I’m sure the outcome would have been much different.”
Coincidentally, responders in previous weeks had just completed yearly training for mass casualty incidents (MCI) with drills that simulated a similar event. Responders were recognized for their management of the MCI, their quick realization of the toxic atmosphere and immediate evacuation of the patients who were exposed to the high levels of CO.
