Photo By Maj. Jason Sanchez | Medics from a California Medical Assistance Team and the California National Guard...... read more read more
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U.S. Army Soldiers with the California National Guard are working with the California Medical Assistance Team (CAL-MAT) to staff an emergency medical clinic for shelter evacuees and first responders in Santa Cruz, California, following the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, which began burning on August 16, 2020. The temporary clinic, which is able to treat most medical needs for displaced individuals, has been has been operating since Aug 21 in the Heritage Hall building at the Santa Cruz County fairgrounds.
"We assisted in the convergence of this facility from what it was to what it is right now, which is a 21-bed rapid urgent care medical facility," said U.S. Army Maj. Mikhail Karton, a physician assistant with California National Guard's 297th Area Support Medical Company.“
CAL-MAT’s greatest need was staffing for the night shift, so Karton along with eight other soldiers were assigned to fill that need, he said.
“Our job here is to support CAL-MAT, who is in charge of all medical care for the Santa Cruz County shelters, as well as other nearby shelters,” said Karton. “At this facility, we can provide almost any level of care below a hospital emergency room — everything from medication refills to wound care, to nursing type care for a limited amount of days.”
Brendon Seebert, a registered nurse with CAL-MAT, explained that even though the facility can perform a wide range of level one care, most patients so far have only visited the clinic for minor injuries, shoulder or joint pain, and prescription refills. The clinic sees on average about 50 patients each day, but it’s a necessary service, he said.
“Many of the evacuees do not have access to their usual care providers, so we’re here to provide that care,” said Seebert. “It’s a place where an evacuee can be seen by a doctor or a provider to get the medical care that is needed.”
The Cal Guard regularly works with CAL-MAT under the authority of California Emergency Medical Services Authority to provide emergency medical services during disasters.
“At this point we, with everything going on in our state, we are brothers and sisters. A lot of us have been deployed together to the fires and floods, especially within the last two or three years.” said Karton. “We’re here together to provide the best possible care to the evacuees and the surrounding shelters.”
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2020 12:55 |
| Story ID: | 377365 |
| Location: | WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 242 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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