This Week in EMS: D.C. Fire Department Running Millions Over Budget
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D.C. Fire Department Running Millions Over Budget
The D.C. fire department failed to include seniority pay in its fiscal 2010 budget proposal, is on pace to more than double its overtime spending and is projected to run nearly $2 million short in fringe benefits--setting up an $11 million-plus shortfall for the year.
Haiti Survival Stories No Shock to Experts
The fact that survivors have been unearthed more than a week after being entombed without food or water in quake-stricken Haiti is no surprise and simply underscores the body's resilience in the face of adversity, say emergency medicine experts.
Kansas EMS Crews Adopt Therapeutic Hypothermia
Emergency crews in Johnson County, Kan., are using therapeutic hypothermia to help keep heart attack victims alive. Each ambulance is now equipped with a chilled IV unit that can be used on heart attack patients.
National EMS Memorial Bike Ride Routes Announced
The Board of Directors of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, Inc.,--"Muddy Angels"--have announced the routes for the 2010 ride, which is scheduled for May 15-22.
EMS Revisited
Why EMS Belongs in the Fire Service
In the March/April 1979 issue of EMS Magazine, Eugene Nagel, MD, featured an essay by K.E. McCullough on the role of the fire service within EMS. In the essay, Chief McCullough argued why the fire service should provide EMS, as well as claiming that an EMS background would soon be imperative for top fire department administrators. "Chief McCullogh identified a key obstacle to EMS in many fire, ambulance and EMS organizations. He called it tunnel vision, but it is narrow-mindedness, self-interest, fear of anything new, and other such synonyms," says Nagel.
Training & Resources
Radio Training: An Essential Tool for the Informed EMT
Without a comprehensive knowledge of the communications tool on his or her hip, an EMT may not have the knowledge to use it effectively to call for help or speak with fellow EMTs. That could get in the way of administering care.
HARM Students Drive Training Procedures
Few training courses require students to demonstrate solid response skills, while providing parameters and developing plans for a hazardous materials or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) response. The Hazard Assessment and Response Management (HARM) course, out of the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), located in Anniston, AL, does just that.
Featured Article
Patients and families who complain about EMS practitioners most often complain about attitude. Even though most people really know little about medicine and even less about EMS, every person knows when they are dealing with an EMS practitioner who is rude, inconsiderate, apathetic or distracted. Complaints can arise from a practitioner's posture, tone of voice or facial expression. There is little or nothing in the NHTSA EMT-B or EMT-P curricula that addresses these aspects of our practice.
Continuing Education
Because EMS agencies respond to requests for assistance due to abdominal pain, providers should have a basic understanding of abdominal anatomy, as well as the conditions that can result in abdominal pain or discomfort. This month's CE article provides a general overview of abdominal pathology.
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.
Industry News
Launch Of Nation's First Exclusive-For-Home Retailer Of AEDs
Good To Be Alive--the nation's first exclusive-for-home seller of AEDs--has launched its primary retail channel, www.GoodToBeAlive.com and toll-free number 1-888-OWN-1-AED (1-888-696-1233).
Featured Job
Coordinator, Paramedic Specialist Program, Indian Hills Community College, IA
Indian Hills Community College has an immediate opening for someone who will direct the Paramedic Specialist Program and provide professional course instruction. Associate's degree and completion of or enrollment in a bachelor's degree program, certification as a Paramedic Specialist and an Emergency Services Instructor; certification in BLS, ACLS, PHTLS, AMLS & PALS; three years experience as an EMT-Paramedic Specialist required. Salary: $51,327-$57,870, plus competitive fringe benefit package and 4-day work week.
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
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Featured Forum Thread
FirefighterKing says: I live in a small town in XYZ, USA. We don't have a Certificate of Need for EMS, however we are a growing rural community. We currently have 3 stations with over 15 apparatus with two very new engines and four pretty new brush trucks. Several of our volunteers are EMTs now, but our only medical equipment is a basic bandage kit and a couple of AEDs. We don't even carry oxygen! The ambulance service is provided by the neighboring city fire dept and is stationed at one of our stations on weekdays during work hours. On the weekends, the golden hour is pretty closely tested. Is this kind of department normal, or should we be taking steps to upgrade to at least a BLS ambulance EMS provider?
Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question
This week we ask our readers: A South Carolina EMT is charged with stealing drugs from ambulances. Does your service have measures in place to prevent the theft of narcotics?
Grant News & Resources
General Devices Announces Grant Assistance Program
General Devices, celebrating 20 years in EMS and emergency medicine communications and telemedicine systems, has initiated a free grant assistance program to assist those in EMS and emergency medicine in locating grants, writing successful grant proposals and managing grant-funded projects.
Have you recently written a successful grant proposal? Then we would like to hear from you for an article we are preparing on grantwriting best practices. Please e-mail your experiences to Nancy Perry, Editorial Director.
Noticeboard
Helping Heroes Program Offers Free CE
EMSResponder.com, CentreLearn Solutions and Emergency Preparedness Systems jointly announced the launch of the RapidCE.com Helping Heroes program, which offers certified first responders, EMTs and paramedics affected by the recession free continuing education to maintain their professional license or certification during their layoff or furlough.
Nomination Period Now Open for 9-1-1 Honor Awards
The E9-1-1 Institute, the National Emergency Number Association, the Association of Public-Safety Communications-Officials International, the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators, and the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance have announced the opening of nominations for this year's Seventh Annual Honor Awards ceremony.
January EMS MagazineThe January issue of EMS Magazine is now online and features articles on RSI protocols, abdominal pain, employment expectations of paramedic students, stroke care, professional behaviors and how to handle your EMS partner.
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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:
- February 5-7: NAEMSE Instructor Course, San Diego, CA
- February 28-March 4: Firehouse World/EMS Expo, San Diego, CA
- March 8-12: 29th Annual Mammoth Mountain Emergency Medicine Conference, Mammoth Mountain, CA
- April 10: Surviving the IED Response, Greensboro, NC
- April 12-14: Beyond the Street: EMS Supervisor Workshop, St. Paul, MN
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com
- After 6 Days in University's Rubble, Student's Prayers Answered
- NYC Responders in Haiti Draw on 9/11
- Paramedics Face the Unknown in Haiti
- Ex-Paramedics Make Bogus 911 Call to Steal Drugs
- Ambulance Skids Off Road in N.H. Injuring Patient, Attendent
- FDNY Cuts Volunteer Ambulance Companies From 911 System
- S.C. EMT Accused of Taking Drugs from Ambulances
- Ariz. Paramedic Attempts In-Flight Infant Rescue
- Md. Officials Approve Mutual Aid EMS Agreement
- Advisory Panel Recommends Privatizing EMS in Las Vegas
- NYC EMTs Say They Tried to Help Woman
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.
