Kent Fire Snake Bite 2016

At approximately 1050 hours on July 24, 2016, Whiskey Division reported a medical emergency that consisted of a rattlesnake bite to the shin of a crewmember on a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Engine. The crewmember never saw or heard the snake that bit him. Initially, he was unsure if he had even been bitten. First, the crewmember verified with local VFD crews that there were rattlesnakes in that area. Once the bite was reported, pre-established Incident-Within-an-Incident protocol was enacted. 

The patient was transported via the DNRC helicopter. Upon arrival at the Baker Municipal Airport, the patient was transported to the Fallon Medical Complex emergency room. Medical personnel assessed the bite and cleaned wound. After tissue samples were taken and sent to the lab, it was determined that the bite was nonvenomous. The patient was monitored and released that evening.

Medical Emergency, RLS, Medevac, Animals or Insects