Health · Healthcare & Policy · 6 hrs ago
U.S. burn specialists send supplies and support to Canada after Wainwright fire
A grass fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta killed four soldiers and injured 39 on Oct.
17, leaving many people with serious burns.
Burn specialists in the United States sent care packages and medical supplies to centres in Calgary and Edmonton.
Health Canada arranged emergency access to ReCell, a spray-on skin treatment that uses a patient’s own cells to help cover wounds.
The response showed that Canada’s health system is not prepared for mass burn emergencies and still relies on the United States for some key supplies.
Burn-care professionals in both countries have long worked together through the American Burn Association.
U.S. doctors have offered Canadian teams expert advice by telehealth as they treat patients.
Health Canada said it has no application underway to approve ReCell for regular sale in Canada.
U.S. burn specialists have sent supplies and offered support to Canadian colleagues after a deadly fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.
The Oct. 17 grass fire killed four soldiers and injured 39 military personnel, many with serious burns.
Health Canada facilitated emergency access to ReCell’s spray-on skin system through its Medical Devices Special Access Program.
U.S. shipments also included light mineral oil, while a New Orleans physician sent care packages to burn centres in Calgary and Edmonton.
The fire highlighted Canada’s reliance on U.S. supplies and gaps in its ability to handle mass-casualty events involving many burn patients.
- Who
- U.S. burn specialists, including New Orleans physician Jeffrey Carter, supported Canadian burn-care colleagues.
- What
- They sent supplies and care packages and offered clinical support after the Wainwright fire.
- When
- The fire occurred on Oct. 17; the support and shipments followed in the weeks after.
- Where
- The fire was at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta; supplies went to burn centres in Calgary and Edmonton.
- Why
- The fire caused many serious burns and prompted emergency access to burn-care supplies and technology.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A grass fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright killed four soldiers and injured 39 military personnel.
U.S. burn-care supplies, including ReCell technology and light mineral oil, were shipped to Canada under special emergency conditions.
- Deaths
- 4 soldiers
- Injuries
- 39 military personnel
- Fire location
- Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alberta
- Canadian burn centres
- Calgary and Edmonton
- Technology
- ReCell epidermal autograft system
What people are saying
We’ve always just worked together.
I offered to go up and help.
We think we have it, but we’re going to bring in some of these new technologies. If you could be available by telehealth, we’ll be glad to ask questions,