Photo: Kristine Wook, Unsplash
Unexpected medical emergencies can occur anywhere, including at RST or on an airplane. Knowing what you should do and the response you can expect can be helpful in the unlikely event that you or a loved one is ever in this situation.
Thank you to Caleb Feine, Assistant Chief for the Rochester Fire Department and Sean Kelly, American Airlines Station Manager, for their input on this Q&A.
At the Airport
Q: What should a person or their traveling companion do if they experience a medical emergency while they are at RST?
A: Notify RST staff and call 911. Early notification is the most crucial link in the response so emergency responders can get there in a timely fashion and go to work mitigating the issue.
Q: What happens after the 911 call?
A: Emergency response would be activated utilizing a combination of Rochester Airport Fire, Rochester Fire Department, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, and Rochester Police Department. The nature of the call would dictate the response.
Q: Is there a difference in what a traveler or their family should do if it’s a true emergency like a heart attack versus something less life-threatening like a suspected broken bone?
A: No, still calling 911 and notifying RST staff for every incident is advised. The dispatchers that take your call will triage your concerns and dictate the proper response by how you answer their questions. Even if something is deemed a non-life threatening issue and you call 911, they will downgrade the call. Dispatch takes calls like this daily.
Caleb Feine, Assistant Chief, Rochester Fire Department
Dispatch Command Center
Q: What kinds of situations does Rochester Fire Department most commonly respond to at RST?
A: Medical calls are RFD’s number one call for service at the airport. RFD also supplements RST Airport Fire with emergency response on the airfield, like when aircraft are coming in with potential concerns.
Q: Approximately how many situations does Rochester Fire Department respond to at the airport per month?
A: An average of 1 – 2 per month.
Q: Are the firefighters who respond the same firefighters who deal with other emergencies in Rochester?
A: Yes. RFD’s firefighters are highly skilled professionals who are trained in all hazards. 24/7/365, they respond to all types of calls running out of five fire stations. They are available in a moment’s notice to take on any emergency that may arise.
Q: How does the arrangement between RST and the city’s firefighters benefit people experiencing medical emergencies at the airport?
A: It bolsters the service… Having RFD close by and working side-by-side with RST staff enables even stronger and faster services depending on the emergency. It is always better to have more capability than you need versus wishing you had more in your time of need.
On the Airplane
Q: What should a person or their traveling companion do if they experience a medical emergency in-flight?
A: Alert a flight attendant. On board a flight, medical emergencies are handled by flight attendants, though the extent of their medical training varies.
Q: What medical equipment is on board?
A: The FAA requires commercial airlines to carry basic first aid kits, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and portable oxygen bottles to assist in emergencies.
AEDs are also available in the main terminal.
Q: What are the criteria for an emergency landing due to a medical situation?
A: Generally, medical emergencies that occur on the ground fall under the airport’s jurisdiction, while those in the air are managed by the plane’s flight crew. If a situation is severe enough to warrant an emergency landing, the decision ultimately rests with the captain. The captain will consult with the airline’s medical team at headquarters with real time information from the passenger or the flight crew, and will make a determination to land or continue on to the destination depending on the severity of the medical issue.
