By Andrew Lara

The majestic mountains and vast sun-kissed coastlines have long made California one of the most attractive destinations for outdoorsmen, tourists, and families looking for a new place to start their lives. However, the California climate has been under attack by a series of intense wildfires, burning thousands of acres of land and costing hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars. Not only do wildfires wreck communities and cause devastating climate and economic damage, but they also lead to public health emergencies. 

By far the most wildfire-prone state in the nation, accounting for one-third of all burned acres in the country, California is struggling to meet this dynamic challenge and wildfires are only expected to continue increasing in frequency. Wildfires also put millions of citizens at risk of serious health complications, leading to lung damage, stroke, and heart attack.

Wildfires aren’t going away any time soon and the resulting damage could be catastrophic and nearly impossible to control. Thankfully, crucial resources to help emergency responders and our public health system mitigate these risks are being developed. 

The environmental and economic damage wildfires cause is obvious, as clips of planes and helicopters frantically dropping gallons of water and flame retardant in an attempt to contain the combusting wilderness are common. What’s less obvious are the fires’ effects which cause lung damage, induce asthma, contribute to chronic pain inflammation, and exacerbate cancer risks. These factors put immense pressure on first responders, who are tasked with containing the fires and providing critical medical relief to families in danger. 

The danger also extends to first responders, who are subject to the same risks from fires as those they save. As a former mobile intensive care nurse who has worked alongside LA County Emergency Medicine and hand-in-hand with first responders, I know all too well the risks these men and women face. 

This is why they should both receive earlier lung cancer screenings – which currently doesn’t begin until age 50 – and have access to technology that allows them to quickly and efficiently do their job. 

Oregon Health and Science University and Philips have teamed up to prepare emergency responders with a partnership through Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The technology they are developing equips firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians with artificial intelligence that quickly provides ultrasound images and correctly interprets them within seconds. This is artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software being developed for a handheld device that emergency responders can transport and utilize as efficiently as a watch or cell phone. 

The benefits for emergency responders and our public health apparatus will be transformative, providing EMS the capacity to accurately diagnose lung damage and internal injuries on site, informing the level of care and urgency needed prior to entering a hospital or working with a physician expert. In high pressure emergencies where quickly and accurately diagnosing injury could be the difference between life or death, this technology makes our emergency responders as prepared as possible to administer life-saving medical care. 

However, like all dynamic new initiatives, congressional support will be pivotal to ensuring future innovations realize their full potential for society. This is why I am grateful our state is represented by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.

Congresswoman Eshoo has had a distinguished career standing up for public health and our state. As former chair and now ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, Congresswoman Eshoo has expanded Medicaid, ended surprise medical billing, and shepherded the Affordable Care Act into law. Congresswoman Eshoo has always prioritized public health, and I am confident that she will work with her colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee to support critical programs like BARDA. 

Many think California is the most beautiful state in the country because of its terrain, but it's the people who truly make it incomparable. More wildfires are coming, and we need to be prepared when they do. My friends and neighbors are at great risk if we don’t.

 Andrew Lara is a critical care nurse and Mayor-Pro Tem in Pico Rivera.