The Year Ahead

"We can't possibly be in production of the January 2004 issue" has become a common statement around the offices of EMS Magazine. But yet we are, and the New Year is fast approaching as I write this message.

As with most of the population, folks around here are discussing New Year's resolutions and the positive changes they promise to make to their lives in 2004. We also are making some changes at EMS Magazine to continue to improve the publication we deliver to our readers.

The February issue sees the debut of EMS Fit For Life, EMS Magazine's new supplement that focuses on something close to our hearts-you! This supplement will address personal health and wellness issues for EMS providers, including diet and exercise, and injury prevention. Articles in the first installment include back safety for EMS providers, fatigue management and the pros and cons of low-carb diets. The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona, outlined the following challenge at EMS EXPO's 2003 Opening Keynote Address: "Those of us who protect the health and safety of the American people and who respond to emergencies must keep ourselves in what I call 'fighting shape.' Your physical fitness is part of securing our homeland. It is part of preparedness." This supplement, which will also appear in the May and November issues of EMS Magazine, will support EMS providers in meeting this challenge to embrace personal physical fitness. If you would like to share your own health success stories for consideration for publication, e-mail emseditor@aol.com.

During 2004, we will continue to keep readers up-to-date on issues relating to homeland security and terrorism preparedness with our newest publication, Frontline First Responder, which will appear in conjunction with the March, July and September issues of EMS Magazine, while the April issue of EMS Magazine will focus heavily on terrorism preparedness and WMD issues for EMS providers, including a comprehensive review of the Gilmore Commission's fifth and final report on the nation's domestic response capabilities.

Vehicle issues will be the focus of the June issue of EMS Magazine, with a separate section devoted to topics such as ambulance maintenance and defensive driving techniques.

In the July issue, readers will be able to participate in the 2nd Annual National EMS Systems Survey. To access the results of last year's survey, visit www.emsmagazine.com, or see page 221 of the December issue of EMS Magazine.

As always, we welcome your comments on the contents of all of our publications. You can reach us by e-mail (emseditor@aol.com), phone (800/224-4367) or fax (818/786-9246). In the meantime, may the New Year be both peaceful and prosperous for you and yours!