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This Week in EMS: 10 Killed in Utah Plane Crash
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Ten people, including nine members of a traveling medical team, were killed last Friday evening when their small plane crashed after taking off from Moab, Utah.
The plane was fully engulfed in flames when emergency responders arrived at the site about 2 miles from the airport, officials said. The victims included pilot David White, doctor Lansing Ellsworth and eight others from Southwest Skin and Cancer, who were on a service mission to provide dermatology care to rural residents.
Read more at Medical Team Among 10 Killed in Utah Plane Crash.
A covered walkway next to a construction scaffold collapsed Thursday in San Diego, trapping and injuring 16 pedestrians. Three of the pedestrians suffered life-threatening injuries, including head trauma, when they were hit by falling debris.
Authorities did not know yet know why the block-long walkway's wooden walls and roof fell in, as did some of the scaffolding along the 3-story building. Many of the injured had just been visiting or were residents of a homeless shelter across the street.
Read more at San Diego Walkway Collapse Injures 16 .
Debate emerged this week over a plan by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians to stop certifying paramedics who graduate from unaccredited training programs in 2013.
The plan is intended to improve the quality of emergency responders across the country, but some critics fear it will hurt programs that can't afford accreditation, and therefore hurt recruitment. The issue has raised particular concern in Michigan where only two of the state's 42 EMS training programs have the required accreditation.
The topic has sparked feedback from EMSResponder.com readers. See the full article and comments at EMS Programs Brace for Major Changes in Certification.
Industry News:
New Survey: The Top 20 Developments in EMS
EMS Magazine asked its editorial advisory board to list the top developments in the history of EMS. Here are their suggestions; now we ask you to vote for your top choice in each category. The results will be published in conjunction with EMS EXPO 2008 this October 13-17 in Las Vegas, NV. We thank you for your contribution! Click above to participate.
Americans Urged to Prepare For Emergencies During National Preparedness Month
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign (www.ready.gov) is sponsoring the fifth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) in September with support from more than 2,700 NPM coalition members, the largest amount to date. NPM coalition members, consisting of national, regional, state, and local organizations, will combine efforts throughout the month of September to encourage all Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies before they happen.
Featured Column:
"The ability to make decisions, or at least appear to be able to make decisions, is essential in today's world," writes EMS management columnist Paul Murphy. While decisions may sometimes seem overwhelming, there are basic steps that can help you succeed.
Featured Profile:
Los Angeles Leads Action on Pediatric Disaster Preparedness
Would your system be prepared if there was a sudden surge in pediatric patients? Unfortunately, in many cities that answer is likely "no." Read about a federally funded, hospital/EMS collaboration in Los Angeles working to address this issue before it's too late: the Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Project.
Featured Job:
EMTs and Paramedics -- Baytown, Pasadena, Webster and Houston, TX
The very "backbone" of Bay Star Ambulance Service are our employees! They are who we are and they are the very reason Bay Star is as successful as it is today...We feel it is our obligation to ensure our employees are treated fairly and respected as professionals.
Click for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings including:
- Paramedic (EMT-P) -- Mecklenburg County, NC
- Regional Sales Manager, Ambulance Manufacturer -- Van Wert, OH
- Corporate Director -- Winchester, VA
Featured Forum Thread:
"What was your reaction the first time you saw severe trauma?" asks emtstudent08.
Click above to share your experience, or browse the forums at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Click to participate, and view previous polls at www.EMSResponder.com/polls.
Reminders:
National EMS Memorial Bike Ride Announces Logo Contest
The contest runs from August 1, 2008 through September 1, 2008.
5.11 Tactical, EMS EXPO & EMS Magazine Sponsor 2008 Photo Contest
Your photos could be featured in advertising campaigns, marketing materials or EMS Magazine. Entries must be submitted by September 16, 2008.
Call for Registration: EMS EXPO 2008!
Registration is open for EMS EXPO 2008, which takes place October 13-17 in Las Vegas, NV. Register early for the best conference rates and to guarantee your placement.
Registration Open: EMS Study Tour
An EMS Study Tour will embark on a multi-city tour Oct. 7 - 14, 2008 and will end in Las Vegas, where participants will speak with attendees at EMS EXPO.
To learn about the tour and to register visit https://worldemstour.ncemsi.org.
To submit case studies for possible review in EMS Magazine, e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.
Free Poster: Do You Care Enough to ICARE?
A poster is currently in design to illustrate the ICARE principles. To request a free copy, e-mail your name, title, agency name and mailing address to nancy.perry@cygnusb2b.com.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Ohio Officials Say Ambulance Didn't Stall During Fatal Call
- Radios Stolen from Dallas Rescue Workers' Stations, Ambulance
- California Patient Punches Paramedic, Gets Tasered
- Denver Paramedics: Airport Vulnerable to Slow Response
- Helmet Camera Captures Texas Plane Crash Rescues
- Crane Impales Canadian Commuter Train
- 5-Day Search for Missing N.C. Woman Ends in Dramatic Rescue
About Heather Caspi, EMSResponder.com Editor-in-Chief
Heather Caspi has been a public safety journalist since 2000, beginning as a reporter for sister site Firehouse.com. She later became the assistant news editor for Firehouse.com and Officer.com, and led the launch of EMSResponder.com in 2005. She graduated from the University of Maryland with degrees in Journalism and English Language and Literature, and earned her EMT-B at Merritt College in Oakland, California. She can be reached at Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.
