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This Week in EMS: NTSB Recommendations...Fire Service Needs EMS...9/11 Events
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NTSB Wants Safer Medevac Flights
On September 1, the NTSB announced a number of recommendations they hope will make the operations of medical helicopters safer. The suggestions included the use of night vision goggles, dual pilots, autopilots, flight data recorders and low altitude monitoring infrastructure as well as weather monitoring improvements.
Wash. Chief: Fire Service Future Lies in EMS
Fire departments that only respond to fires will cease to exist within a few generations, suggested I. David Daniels, IAFC official and fire chief of Renton, WA, during a presentation at Fire-Rescue International. If departments expect to maintain relevance over time, they're going to have to follow growth industries, he said.
Georgia Chief Touts Non-Emergency Transport
While many departments around the nation face layoffs, furloughs and other cutbacks, one Georgia fire/EMS chief is proud to be providing salary increases. Chief Mark Herendeen of Morrow, GA, a small city in the metro Atlanta area, presented at Fire-Rescue International on creating revenue in a tough economy. "We have to be creative about how we're going to survive in this economy," he said. His discussion focused on user fees, violation fees and inspection fees, as well as non-emergency transport.
9/11 Aims to Become Single Largest Day of Service
President Barack Obama is asking Americans to volunteer on Sept. 11, making this year's anniversary of the terror attacks the first National Day of Service and Remembrance. "Our ultimate goal is to leave a positive legacy that honors the victims and those who rose in service," said David Paine, the president of MyGoodDeed, one of the organizations responsible for the event.
Industry Best Practices
How Does Your EMS Garden Grow?
The majority of EMS stations don't have to worry about having too much time on their hands, but paramedics at the Norwood station in Peterborough County, Ontario, Canada--a rural, low-call-volume service--have found a way to keep busy during down time: gardening. The impetus for the garden, says advanced care paramedic Mark Cameron, was a newspaper article stating that Canadian prisoners are allocated $22 per day for food by the government, while nursing home residents receive one-third of that amount and, in some places, are served fresh vegetables only once or twice a week. The article, he says, made him so angry he decided to take action.
Training & Resources
Operation Thunderbird Tests Emergency Preparedness
May 13, 2009, began like every other day at La Plata County Airport in Durango, CO. With sunny blue skies and unlimited visibility, it was a great day to fly. Later, it would become a hellish day, but it was only a drill to test the emergency preparedness of the airport and local responding emergency agencies.
Real World Skills for Scene Safety: Part 4
The fifth of DT4EMS' six steps, basic ground defense (BGD) is used to give the provider a moment to protect him- or herself if knocked to the ground.
This month, EMSResponder offers daily tips and techniques for EMS educators. Check out the archives and look for EMS management top tips next month!
Industry News
Motorola Names R. David Paulison to Support Funding Programs for the Fire Service
Motorola has named Robert David Paulison, former FEMA administrator, to consult and support the company's Government and Enterprise Funding Programs as customers and partners seek funds from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Act, also known as the AFG program.
Featured Job
Paramedic Shift Leader, Troy, MI
Alliance Mobile Health, a non-profit, nationally accredited EMS service located in Troy and based in Oakland County, seeks a paramedic shift leader on the night shift. This position is responsible for resolving employee work concerns, support road staff with their performance, patient care, customer relations and operational issues.
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
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Featured Forum Thread
Gamedic8571 says: I worked a pediatric drowning 4 years ago when I was in EMT school. I still remember it vividly. I remember the kid looked just like my nephew. I could not sleep for several nights, and I almost quit after that. Glad I did not, because I have enjoyed this career.
Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question
This week we ask our readers: How closely have you been following the healthcare reform debate?
Grant Information
Have you recently written a successful grant proposal? Then we would like to hear from you for an article on grantwriting best practices. Please e-mail your experiences to Nancy Perry, Editorial Department.
Also, be sure to check out the latest resource from EMSResponder--our EMS Grants page--which offers a variety of resources for grant-writing and fundraising.
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 training events in October:
- October 4: Advanced EMS Medical Directors Forum and Workshop
- October 5-8: ACEP Scientific Assembly, Boston, MA
- October 15-18: Vital Signs 2009, Rochester, NY
- October 26-30: EMS EXPO 2009/NAEMT Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
Reminders
7th Annual National EMS Systems Survey
EMS Magazine and EMSResponder.com are proud to offer the 7th annual comprehensive survey of EMS systems in the United States. Survey results will be published in the December 2009 issue of EMS Magazine, as well as featured online, and are designed to provide an overview of the EMS profession as it exists today across the spectrum of EMS delivery systems. Surveys must be completed by October 9, 2009.
EMS EXPO Announces Photo Contest for 2009
For the second year, EMS EXPO is looking for photos of EMS/rescue/fire professionals in the field, at training events or in the workplace. Photos must be received by September 18, 2009.
Federal EMS Issues
The latest issue of EMS on the Hill is now available, featuring articles on pandemic flu preparedness, legislator ambulance ridealongs, surge capacity and rural EMS issues.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com
- Chicago 'Behind the Times' in Heart Attack Response
- FAA Pilot Killed in Mississippi Helicopter Crash
- Doc: I 'Got Rid of' Patient after Katrina
- Obama Vows Not to Forget Lessons of Katrina
- New iPhone App Tracks 'Outbreaks Near Me'
- NASCAR 9/11 Memorial Car to Race on Sept. 11
- Miami-Dade Air Rescue Among Safest
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.
