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This Week in EMS: A Recap for March 8 - 14, 2008
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Last summer, former FDNY Paramedic Victor Isler moved his family to Harrisburg, N.C. from New York to become a firefighter with the Salisbury Fire Department.
On March 7, Firefighters Isler and Justin Monroe were killed while battling a fire at the Salisbury Lumber Company. The two men were on the first hose team that responded to the blaze.
Isler wasn't in the city long, but quickly made a positive impression on those he came in contact with.
Read more in this EMSResponder.com article by Paul Peluso, Former FDNY Medic Killed in N.C. Blaze.
More than 1,000 people showed up last Friday -- almost all of them firefighters, paramedics and police -- to mourn the death of Palm Beach County, Florida Fire-Rescue Lt. Rafael Vazquez, the paramedic killed during a lunch break with his family in a Wendy's restaurant.
Colleagues mourned the senselessness of his loss and the intrusion of danger during those moments when he was supposed to be safe, not steeled for danger. Many shared their comments for the following editorial, More than 1,000 Mourn Slain Florida Paramedic.
An ambulance and a dump truck were involved in a wreck this week on Interstate 65 in Indiana. An EMT, a paramedic and their patient were taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the ambulance struck the back of a trailer pulled by the dump truck, then spun to the front of the truck, and the two vehicles collided again.
In another accident this week, an ambulance tipped over Wednesday in West Virginia.
For more visit:
Industry News:
Cherokee Inspired Comfort Awards Program Call for Nominations
Nominations are being accepted March 1 -- May 31, 2008 for this year's awards program. The program provides a meaningful way for peers, friends and colleagues to acknowledge healthcare professionals for their significant contributions to patients and medical care. A panel of nurse leaders, Cherokee professionals and former award recipients will choose winners who best meet the program's criteria: exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation.
Random drawings will be held during March, April and May, giving nominators a chance to win prizes. Those selected as award winners will be announced in September 2008. Click above for entry information and prize details.
The Department of Homeland Security's Grant Programs Directorate is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) with the deadline for receipt of the applications no later than April 4, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The AFG, which will be distributed in phases throughout FY 2007, will ultimately award approximately $500 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations. Click above for details.
Featured Column:
Supporting Employees to Adopt Technology
"It must be remembered that not everyone in today's hi-tech world is tech-savvy," writes columnist Paul Murphy. "Employees who are great, if not stellar, healthcare providers, may experience challenges using technology. This is not unique to EMS - it applies to everyone from first responders to surgeons. Using technology successfully can take time and can be frustrating - for anyone. If an individual has not been exposed to the technology, having to learn while providing patient care can be a daunting experience."
Paul discusses reaching out to employees to promote "buy-in," reduce negativity and support employee success. Click above to read more.
Featured Job:
Paramedics -- Colorado Springs, CO
"Put your career on the fast track at American Medical Response (AMR), the nations premier provider of emergency medical transportation. AMR in Colorado Springs has immediate openings for Paramedics to provide excellent patient care with a company that enjoys an exclusive 911 contract. In addition to 911 contract, AMR provides medical stand by coverage for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox baseball, United States Air Force Academy Football, Colorado College Hockey, Colorado Springs World Arena Events Center, and the United States Olympic Training Center."
Click above for requirements and benefits, and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
Featured Forum Thread:
This week a forum member asks whether EMS systems reach treatable cardiac arrest victims soon enough to make a real difference. Do they, often enough to matter? Or should systems look for other solutions, such as relying on first responders and citizens with defibrillators to buy extra time?
Click above to read the discussion and let us know what you think. To browse the forums visit www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Do personnel at your agency use any of the medical supplies on themselves?
Visit the poll on the lower right side of EMSResponder.com to participate. View previous polls at www.EMSResponder.com/polls.
To submit a poll idea e-mail Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.
Reminder:
It's time to nominate candidates for EMS Magazine's 23rd Annual Braun Industries/Monster Medic EMT/Paramedic of the Year Award. Follow the link for details.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Kansas Woman Rescued after Spending 2 Years on Toilet
- Kentucky Chief Resigns Amid Allegations of Ambulance Misuse
- Detroit 911 Operator Sentenced Over Call
- Dallas Paramedic Accused Of Sexual Advances
- Report Describes Errors in Texas Crash Victim's Treatment
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.
