News

This Week in EMS: Fatal Ambulance Crash...NVFC Recognizes EMS...Disaster Drill Training

Nancy Perry

05/13/2010

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2 Dead In Ambulance, Semi Crash in Iowa

A paramedic with significant injuries fought to save her patient and an ambulance driver on Thursday following a crash in Boone County.

NVFC Announces Creation of EMS Section

The National Volunteer Fire Council has made what officials are calling a monumental decision by establishing a separate EMS section.

American Ambulance Association Honors the 2010 Stars of Life

For the 19th year, the American Ambulance Association welcomed and honored 77 Stars for the 2010 Stars of Life event early this May in Washington, DC. The 77 Stars represented 24 states and the country of Trinidad & Tobago.

Twitter Founder: Ambulance Dispatch Inspired Concept

According to an interview with Fortune Magazine, Jack Dorsey, the founder of social networking phenomenon Twitter, thought of the idea by working as a programmer for an ambulance dispatcher.

EMS Training Center

School Bus Disaster Drill: A Blueprint

On May 8, 2010, Ouray County (CO) EMS produced a disaster drill that simulated a school bus going off the side of an embankment with a drop-off of 50-60 feet with 20-30 patients and no fatalities. This article is a "blueprint" for that disaster drill, outlining all the logistics and components involved in such an operation. Agencies are encouraged to use this as a template for similar operations in their jurisdictions.

Hazardous Materials Preparedness: Training For All-Hazards Response

The recent botched attempt to discharge explosive material in New York's Times Square may leave city leaders across America questioning their own levels of preparedness during an emergency. The Center for Domestic Preparedness located in Anniston, AL, plays a leading role in preparing cities and local response forces to protect, prevent, deter and respond to acts of terrorism or major accidents involving hazardous materials.

EMS Revisited

How Are We Doing?

In the Jan/Feb 1982 issue of EMS Magazine, editorial advisory board member and recent recipient of the "Pioneers of Paramedicine" Lifetime Achievement Award, Eugene Nagel, was invited to take a look back at the achievements made in prehospital practice during the previous decade as part of EMS Magazine's 10th anniversary issue. Unfortunately, many of the issues he addressed remain problems for the industry today.

Featured Article

Service Dogs Truly Are Man's Best Friend

Thanks to amazing advances in trauma care, more military personnel are surviving what were once certainly fatal injuries and returning home to resume their civilian lives. Unfortunately, survival doesn't always mean normal, and an increasing number are physically or mentally disabled to the point of needing help with everyday activities. Colorado-based Freedom Service Dogs, Inc., which was started in 1987 by a paramedic who was disabled after being in an ambulance crash, offers the help these veterans need.

Exclusive Coverage: EMS Week 2010

A Reason to Celebrate Anytime, Anywhere

EMS Week--which kicks off May 16 and runs through May 22--is an official opportunity to honor EMS professionals and give them the opportunity to publicize safety and connect with the public they so diligently serve. All across the country, agencies are hosting events to celebrate this year's theme, "Anytime. Anywhere. We'll be there." Read how some agencies plan to celebrate EMS Week this year, as well as the community-based activities they engage in 365 days a year.

Featured EMS Magazine Article: May 2010

Implementation Challenges of the National EMS Education Standards

For states embracing the new standards and larger vision of the Education Agenda, the challenges surround crafting law and regulation to support the Scope of Practice Model and Education Standards within their governmental and educational infrastructure. "It's not that difficult to understand conceptually," notes Dan Manz, who chairs the National Association of State EMS Officials' Implementation Working Group, "but complicated to actually get into place."

Continuing Education

CE Video: How Do You Know CPAP Is Working?

Capnography can provide the closed loop you need to have confidence that you are adequately ventilating your patient. This presentation sponsored by Philips covers how to use capnography to make the right respiratory care decisions during CPAP use. After viewing this video, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.

This CE activity is approved by EMS Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for .5 CEUs. After viewing the video, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.

CE Article: Febrile Seizures

Febrile seizures are a relatively common occurrence in children ages 5 months to 5 years and are most frequently caused by viral illness. Thirty percent of seizures in this age group are caused by fever; the next highest cause is failure to take prescribed medications. This CE article discusses the frequency of febrile seizures, reviews the assessment of the febrile seizure patient and outlines prehospital care of the febrile seizure patient. This article also features a lesson plan that utilizes the content of CE articles to help facilitate training sessions. Use or adapt this lesson plan for your organization, its personnel and its local protocols.

This CE activity is approved by EMS Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for 1.5 CEUs. After reading the article, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.

Additional CE Articles

Website of the Week

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride

The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, Inc. honors EMS personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve everyday, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty. This year's ride is scheduled for May 15-22.

Industry News

Paramedicine Pioneers Honored at Glittering Awards Ceremony

On Saturday night, May 8, at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, members of the EMS community came together for the Pioneers of Paramedicine Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala.

Featured Job

Paramedics, EMTs and System Status Controllers, MedStar EMS, Ft. Worth, TX

MedStar EMS offers highly competitive wages; paramedic relocation assistance; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; 401A with matching employer contribution up to 7.5%; paramedic bonus program $6000 - $15000; vacation, sick and holiday pay; and eligibility for annual 3% incentive bonus.

Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.

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Featured Forum Thread

Looking to Move to Australia

INAS asks: I'm a medic in the U.S. I'm hoping to find an Australian medic for some info on EMS there. I'm trying to move to Sydney. Any info would be much appreciated

Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.

Poll Question

This week we ask our readers: Researchers found last year that 77% of fire and EMT trainees in Massachusetts were either overweight or obese. Should being severely overweight disqualify you from serving as an EMS provider?

Grant & Scholarship News & Resources

EMS Responder's Grant Resource Guide provides news, articles and resources relating to grant writing and fundraising for EMS and public safety agencies.

Show Me the Grant Money

Tough economic times often call for desperate measures. But desperate doesn't mean hopeless. The money is out there, say some--you just have to know how to find it. Once found, you have to know how to get it, and that's when you call on a grants-writer like Kenneth Schaublin II, AICP, a grants specialist for Ferno.

Nominations Now Open for 2010 Robert G. Nixon EMS EXPO Scholarship Program

Nominations are now open for the Robert G. Nixon EMS EXPO Scholarship Program, which awards two scholarships each year for EMS providers to attend EMS EXPO. The scholarship consists of a 3-day core program registration to EMS EXPO and $1,000 stipend to cover travel and expenses.

Noticeboard

National EMS Week Coast-to-Coast MeetUp Honors EMS Providers

To kick off National EMS Week, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia will play host to one of three live-streaming MeetUps, which will bring together healthcare professionals committed to improving the state of healthcare and prehospital emergency medical care. EMS workers, healthcare providers and the general public are invited to attend to celebrate EMS and discuss the future of healthcare.

National EMS Awards of Excellence

The nomination period for the National EMS Awards of Excellence is now open. Don't miss your opportunity to win cash prizes and a trip to EMS EXPO 2010 in Dallas, TX, September 27-October 1.

EMS Responder Daily Tips

Check out EMSResponder's daily tips. During May, we will feature daily studying tips. If you have a tip you would like to share with us, e-mail Editorial Director Nancy Perry.

EMS Magazine May 2010

The May issue of EMS Magazine is now available online. This month, we focus on EMS education, featuring articles on online learning, how a bachelor's degree can help your EMS career and federal educational resources for EMS. In addition, we report on the ROC PRIMED study and Beyond the Books columnist Mike Smith asks: "Is it time to lose the logroll?"

Upcoming Events

Visit our Events Calendar to see what educational opportunities are in your area, plus post your own listings. Here are a selection of EMS upcoming training events:

June 9-12: Fire 2010, Veron, NY
June 13-18: Ambulance Service Manager Program, Kansas City, MO
June 30-July 1: ClinCon International, Orlando, FL
July 20-25: Firehouse Expo, Baltimore, MD

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com

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We Want to Hear From You
If you have a news lead or story idea you would like to submit to EMSResponder.com, please e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.