News

This Week in EMS: Air Ambulance Industry Examined

HEATHER CASPI, Editor

04/23/2009

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New Report IDs Air-Ambulance Problems

The air ambulance industry was back in the spotlight this week following the release of a new report by the Flight Safety Foundation, in which it identifies eight "very high" risks within the industry and 18 factors it labels "high" risks. While some air-ambulance companies reportedly objected to the findings, the FAA issued a statement saying it welcomed the report.

Also see: FAA Plan Would Require Alarms on Air Ambulances.

Dozens Injured in Mexico City Train Crash

In a major mass casualty incident this week, more than 100 people were injured in a commuter train crash outside Mexico City.

Officials say one train apparently ran into another Saturday, and emergency personnel worked to remove all the victims from the train cars. More than 20 commuters suffered serious injuries and one remained in serious condition on Tuesday from the accident.

Oklahoma Considers Bill to Protect Rescuers from Violence

Both houses of the Oklahoma state Legislature unanimously approved House Bill 1360 this week, to make an assault on emergency medical providers a felony offense. If signed into law by the governor, the maximum penalty for assault on medical personnel would increase from one year to two years of incarceration. The maximum fine would remain $1,000.

Philadelphia Considers Tele-Nurse to Ease EMS Burden

The city is considering advice to take some pressure off its 9-1-1 emergency system by routing noncritical calls to a "tele-nurse," who could dispense medical advice and recommend resources and alternatives to an EMS response.

If Philadelphia's experience follows that of Houston, Seattle and Richmond, the city could avoid as many as 18,000 ambulance runs a year and save about $2.5 million.

Industry News

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 and the winners will be announced the week of September 28, 2009. The grand prize winner will receive two 3-day conference program packages, 3 night hotel stay and one $500 travel voucher to attend EMS EXPO this year in Atlanta, Georgia. Five finalists will receive $50 VISA gift cards.

Alzheimer's Association Offers Free Rescuer Training Program

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. To help protect these individuals, the Alzheimer's Association has created Approaching Alzheimer's: Make your first response the right response. This outreach program, designed with and for law enforcement officers, paramedics, fire fighters, disaster relief personnel and other first responders, provides strategies for working with people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

New on EMSResponder.com:

EMS Grant Resource Guide

Visit EMSResponder.com/grants for the industry's newest and most comprehensive database for grant news and resources to assist EMS agencies, departments and personnel, as well as others in related public safety and emergency management fields.

From the main page link to Grant News; Federal Grant Resources; State Grant Resources; Corporate Grant Resources; Organization and Charity Grant Resources; Scholarship Resources and more. If you know of an additional resource to add, scroll to the bottom of the grant page to email us or submit a comment.

Featured Column:

Charting New Territory

"Many individuals, including EMS providers, are finding that the initial training they received provided a good starting point to perform their jobs. However, as organizations change, individuals may find it necessary to learn new skills to continue their employment," writes EMSResponder.com contributor Paul Murphy. "The individual that is able to take a pro-active approach may not only learn new skills, they may also find that their performance excels. This can create a win-win situation and may lead to opportunities that did not previously exist."

Featured Job:

Paramedics - Johnson County, Kansas

"Johnson County Med-Act is seeking career Paramedics for current full-time positions. Paramedics enjoy aggressive treatment protocols, a very supportive relationship with the medical community and opportunities for advancement. This is an opportunity to work in a well-established, career oriented organization."

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:

GPS Units

"Is there a GPS unit you recommend?" asks Born to Fly. "I'd really like one that I can program all the hospitals into and then set it up to find which one on that list is closest at any given time so if I have to upgrade my pt to a closest facility transport, I don't have to call dispatch to get my closest facility."

Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.

Poll Question:

Should an EMS provider ever confront a person found trying to steal their ambulance or equipment?

Reminders:

EMSResponder.com is now on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

Check out our Twitter feeds at twitter.com/EMSRNews and twitter.com/EMSRTraining. Also visit our LinkedIn group and our Facebook page.

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:

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.