News

This Week in EMS: Health Care Reform in Motion

HEATHER CASPI, Editor

03/05/2009

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Obama Engages Allies, Skeptics in Health Reform

President Barack Obama received agreement that now is the time for health care reform at a summit in D.C. Thursday. He noted to attendees, "Each of us must accept that none of us will get everything we want, and no proposal for reform will be perfect."

Also this week, Obama named Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to lead the Health and Human Services Department and tapped Florida emergency manager Craig Fugate to head FEMA.

4 Deaths Blamed On Snow, Nor'easter

A major late winter snowstorm slammed the East Coast Monday along with sleet, freezing rain and wind, creating treacherous road conditions that kept rescuers busy and contributed to at least four roadway fatalities.

The blizzard-like conditions also affected much of the South, leaving many without electricity and prompting rescuers to go car to car to check on stranded motorists.

Lone Survivor Recounts Capsized NFL Boat Ordeal

A massive search was on this week for four football players after their boat capsized during a Florida fishing trip. Only one was rescued after clinging to the boat for nearly two days, suffering from hypothermia and leg injuries.

The lone survivor reported that two of the men eventually gave up the struggle for survival and floated out to sea, and the other died in his arms before washing away.

Maryland Crews Respond to Save Medevac Program

Fire, rescue and EMS personnel from across Maryland responded to the state capital Wednesday to support the state's renowned EMS and Medevac system in the face of reform measures proposed following last September's fatal crash.

Despite the incident that claimed four lives, a national panel of HEMS experts said it considers Maryland's program a model for the nation. Also see Report Signals that Md. Medevac System Should Remain.

Connecticut Firefighter/EMT Dies of Complications

A Connecticut firefighter/EMT died recently following complications from surgery for an injury sustained while on a call. Funeral services were held Tuesday for Charles Myshrall, 67, a member of North Coventry Vol. Fire Dept.

Featured Podcast:

Being There

"No matter what we get called for, that's our job and those people are worth our time." Listen as instructor Scott Snyder relates how he learned the value of every call and every patient.

Education Feature:

Mumbai Large Scale Attack Lessons

Following last November's terror attacks in Mumbai, India which killed 195 and injured 325, emergency management expert August Vernon provides a review. "This awareness guide is designed to help responders and planners understand the nature of current and emerging threats. It is for use by U.S. public safety agencies and special operations assets such as those with critical infrastructure protection, tactical teams, bombs squads, weapons of mass destruction, fusion centers and others."

Featured Job:

Chief Executive Officer - Richmond, VA

"The Richmond Ambulance Authority is looking for a Chief Executive Officer with expertise in healthcare finance and with a dedication to clinical excellence, to the use of the most advanced technology, and to research that continues our quest to be innovative."

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:

Yet another interesting case...

"Pt. was an elderly gentleman, mid-seventies, with a primary complaint of 'flu-like' symptoms and mid-sternal, non-pleuritic chest pain," writes CamMedic. "Given his age and presenting symptoms we assessed him for a possible cardiac event. Now this is where it gets a bit interesting."

Check out the rest, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.

Poll Question:

Are you following the Obama administration's plans and actions on health care reform?

Click above to vote, and view previous polls at www.EMSResponder.com/polls.

Reminders:

Call for Nominations: Heart Safe Community and STEMI Awards

Physio-Control and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), EMS Section, will sponsor three awards to recognize Fire EMS Systems that are helping their communities be more Heart Safe. The application deadline is April 3, 2009.

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.