Community medical response to the Fairchild mass casualty event

BACKGROUND: On June 20, 1994, a discharged serviceman with a psychiatric history opened fire with a MAC-90 assault rifle at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, The attack killed 5 people and wounded 22. This report reviews the communication, triage, transport, injuries, and the community medical response to this mass casualty. METHODS: Data for the review were obtained from city-wide debriefing sessions, medical records, and evaluation forms from prehospital agencies. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were triaged to four community hospitals, while 3 victims with comparatively minor injuries stayed at the Base hospital, All fatalities except a child in utero died at the scene. All victims surviving to hospital were discharged recovered from their injuries, Two patients were undertriaged, 1 of whom sustained a pelvic and buttock wound. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid triage was possible due to: (1) initial treatment by military medical personnel; (2) an established and practiced disaster plan; (3) the use of disaster packs and triage tags; (4) the immediate initiation of triage and transport; and (5) coordinated ground and air transport.