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This Week in EMS: EMS Week
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EMS Week was recognized in communities across the country with a creative array of activities. Some of the most high-profile took place in New York City, where among many special events, the Empire State Building was lit in honor of EMS Week, and FDNY EMS command rang the closing bell at Nasdaq.
For full EMS Week coverage, including podcast and video features, link to the EMS Week Resource Guide above.
Stimulus to Pay for Purchasing Emergency Vehicles
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Monday more than $60 million in grants for firetrucks, ambulances, police cars and other public safety needs through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
All of the funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program, which helps finance and develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas.
North Carolina Responder Dies at Scene
As EMS responder Bonnie McNeil, 50, of Union Rescue Squad in Willard, prepared to drive an ambulance away from the scene of a medical call last week, she reportedly collapsed and died of an unknown medical problem.
In addition to working and volunteering as a care provider, McNeil also ran the squad's junior EMT program. She is survived by her husband, chief of the Penderlea Volunteer Fire Department, and their daughter, who is also a volunteer.
Industry News:
SafetyCare Accepting Nominations to Honor Extraordinary EMT with Annual Award
SafetyCare, a national leader in Personal Emergency Response Systems, is seeking nominees for the third-annual Jack and Rosemary Gulati SafetyCare Awards. The awards are given to caregivers in three categories, including "Emergency Medical Technician of the Year." Deadline for nominations is July 31.
Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 24-30
History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters, according to the NOAA/National Weather Service.
The provided website is intended to inform the public about hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take action.
Online Exclusive:
EMS Memorial Ride: Daily Dispatches
Fourth-time rider Mike Kennard reports from the road during the journey from New York to Roanoke, Virginia. Click to read about days 1-7, and check in again for a final report on the group's arrival in Roanoke Friday evening, and attendance Saturday at the National EMS Memorial Service.
Recent adventures along the route have included a near-miss bike collision with a bear, and one rider who was thrown from his bike and required 40 stitches at a Pennsylvania hospital.
Featured Podcasts:
EMSC Day -- the History and Future
As part of EMS Week, Wednesday was officially EMS for Children Day. We spoke with one of the originators of this event, pediatric prehospital care educator Bob Waddell. He shares the story behind EMSC Day and and what he sees as the next major step in this effort.
We also spoke this week with Melanie Jarreau, Chair of the Louisiana Governor's Advisory Council for EMSC. She shares the story of her daughter, whose death as an infant inspired her to lobby for improvements in emergency pediatric care in Louisiana, contributing to the passage of a Louisiana Emergency Response Network to address time-sensitive injuries.
Featured Job:
"East Baton Rouge Parish EMS is expanding its ALS services to meet the needs of a dynamically growing metropolitan area. Paramedic positions are immediately available. Salaries for 2009 start at $42,000+."
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
Sign up here to receive the new EMS Jobs e-newsletter.
Featured Forum Thread:
Atlanta Councilman Chooses Twitter Over 911 to Report Emergency
"So this councilman realizes his 911 service is over taxed, so he sends out a tweet so that instead of just 1 person (him) calling in, dozens of his twitter followers call in. Way to add to the call load."
Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Following EMS for Children Day this Wednesday, we're asking, Do you feel trained, equipped and confident to respond to pediatric emergencies?
Reminders:
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
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Atlanta Councilman Chooses Twitter Over 911 to Report Emergency
- Role of EMTs in Ohio Executions Criticized, Examined
- Convicted Felon Certified as California EMT
- Tests Show More Swine Flu Immunity in Older Folks
- WHO: No Swine Flu Vaccine Available for Months
- Study: Women Get Lesser EMS Treatment for Chest Pain
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.
