INTEGRIS Paul Silverstein Burn Center
Destry Horton Memorial Fund

Our State Fire Marshal’s office works very hard to minimize injuries and fatalities from burns. This is a major problem in our country. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control show that burns are the third most common cause of fatal home injuries and the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths, overall. Even compared to other developed countries, the US ranks high, typically sixth, in the mortality rate for deaths from burns.

Last year’s figures show that someone is seriously injured in a fire about every 30 minutes in this country. Usually, the number of people who are burned severely enough to need medical treatment exceeds one million people a year.

Many of these fires are preventable. Much of our  work is to prevent as many fires as possible from ever happening through assisting citizens and companies in complying with safety regulations. But, the realization is also there that burn injuries are still going to happen.

Treating fire and burn injuries is expensive. On the average, burns cover 14 percent of the body’s surface for those admitted for treatment. Hospital figures indicate that those which result in fatalities run about $3 billion per year with $1 billion being spent on hospitalization in those situations in which the victims survive. Another $3 billion is spent on fire injuries outside of hospitals.

Another aspect that it is important to examine is those most at risk:
  • young children
  • senior citizens 
  • African-Americans 
  • Native Americans 
  • poor Americans 
  • rural Americans 
  • residents of manufactured housing

Naturally, firefighters themselves sustain many burn injuries. More than 10 percent of firefighter injuries are typically associated with burns. Firefighters are at risk for many types of injuries on-duty, but burns are one that often require considerable specialized treatment.

Oklahoma’s previous dramatic incident involving Destry Horton brought this situation to everyone’s attention. In the intervening months since Horton succumbed to his injuries, many have been hard at work. A memorial fund has been established which will help increase Oklahoma’s ability to treat burn injuries. Half a million dollars has been committed as matching funds from the Noble Foundation. The INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Foundation is collecting funds for the new ICU as a tribute to Destry Horton and other fallen firefighters. Donations can be made by clicking on the button below



or mailing in a check made out to them as a donation to:
INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Foundation Inc.
3030 Northwest Expressway, Suite 1600
Oklahoma City, OK   73112

Preparedness is always important. Oklahoma wants to be ready to treat those who suffer burn injuries regardless of their economic status. Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue!

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INTEGRIS Foundations
3030 NW Expressway
Suite 1600
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Main Number
405-951-5005

Toll Free
(888) 567-3433

Fax
(405) 951-5035