Oil Fields like "war zone" citing "man camps"

CommDriver · Nov 16, 2011

Emergency medical crews overwhelmed in Oil Patch, say it's 'like a war zone'

BISMARCK Emergency medical crews in North Dakotas Oil Patch describe the challenges they face as crazy or overwhelming and like a war zone.
Those descriptions, from reports compiled by state emergency medical services officials, document an exploding demand for services triggered by the influx of people and activity from the oil boom.
Eleven emergency medical services agencies in North Dakotas six greatest oil-producing counties have reported a 61 percent increase in calls over the past five years and those are expected to increase by 158 percent by 2014-15.
In the most striking example, the EMS for McKenzie County, based in Watford City, saw its volume double during the past year.
The increase reflects both the population increase and booming oilfield activity as well as the resulting boost in traffic accidents, with a sharp rise in truck accidents.
Trauma cases, from oilfield and traffic accidents, are increasing in frequency and severity, further straining medical centers and ambulance crews.
The increased truck traffic and oil activity require specialized equipment and training that emergency medical crews lack everything from more sophisticated equipment to extricate accident victims to training in dealing with oil rigs and how to handle mass casualties.
Its like being in a war zone, one unidentified EMS crew member said in a state report on the emergency medical demands in the Oil Patch. Im scared one of us is going to be killed.
Another said, I was terrified the first time I went up on an oil rig.
Crime and domestic violence also are increasing, and emergency medical responders can find themselves in personal danger when responding to a call before law enforcement officers arrive.
In Williston, emergency medical crews have requested body armor, said Cody Friesz, administrator of the North Dakota Emergency Medical Service Association.
They respond to more and more violence, and personal safety is becoming an issue, he said.
So-called man camps, temporary housing complexes for oilfield workers who cannot find conventional housing, can be hard to find, located in remote areas that are not adequately marked by signs, said Tom Nehring, director of the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma for the North Dakota Department of Health.
Also, when you get in a man camp and youve got a thousand people in it, you dont know where to go.
In addition to those challenges, unforeseen just a few years ago, emergency medical providers face problems in hiring and attracting staff and finding affordable housing problems confronting many employers in oil country.
So we have a whole complex set of issues, Nehring added. Many of the people who are flocking to the Oil Patch for work arrive destitute, without health insurance, exacerbating the financial squeeze EMS services face, where officials say revenues dont meet costs.
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http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/340460/publisher_ID/1/

Eaton18 · Nov 17, 2011

Oh boy, now the government is going to want to shut down the oil work, ban "man camps". I don't know why there are destitute people, that would want to flock up there to work?

Infosaur · Nov 18, 2011

Seems like a ripe oppertunity to come up with some sort of private, labor-ready for EMTs.

One stop shop, firetrucks, ambulances, trained paramedics, trauma units. All ready to deploy to whatever company would be willing to pay for it.

Booboo2 · Jan 15, 2012

I move rigs all over tx, ok, and la. Years ago I hauled a bunkhouse up there, that was all I needed of ND.

Prom Night Dumpster Baby · Jan 15, 2012

I know we need EMTs but a lot of them look like they should be at a PTA meeting than helping trauma victims.

You want somebody's chubby mom helping you with your chopped off arm or someone like those guys on "Emergency!" (remember that '70s TV show?)

blackw900 · Jan 15, 2012

Prom Night Dumpster Baby said: ↑

I know we need EMTs but a lot of them look like they should be at a PTA meeting than helping trauma victims.

You want somebody's chubby mom helping you with your chopped off arm or someone like those guys on "Emergency!" (remember that '70s TV show?)
Click to expand...

As long as they put my arm back on....I really don't give a #### what they look like.

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