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This Week in EMS: Scores Killed in Australian Wildfires
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Australian Wildfire Deaths Expected to Exceed 200
At least 181 people were killed last weekend in the most devastating wildfires in Australia's history. Entire towns were wiped out in some of the 400 blazes, believed to be caused by arson.
The fires devastated wildlife as well, and an international sensation took place after a firefighter was photographed rescuing an injured koala bear. The bear has become a symbol of hope and a sort of love story as she recovers along with her new "boyfriend," another koala with scorched paws. For a sweet story as we approach Valentine's Day, follow the related links for more on "Sam."
A commuter plane crashed late Thursday into a suburban Buffalo home, killing all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground. Two neighborhood residents were being treated for injuries.
The 74-seat Q400 Bombardier aircraft, operated by Colgan Air, was flying from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Buffalo Niagara International Airport in light snow, fog and 17 mph winds. Details were still emerging early Friday.
Twisters Kill Eight in Oklahoma
In further U.S. disaster news, eight people we killed and 14 were seriously injured when uncommon winter tornadoes struck multiple locations in Oklahoma. Rescuers were out in force Wednesday looking through wrecked homes and businesses for additional victims.
One rescue included a woman found injured but alive under an overturned mobile home. Most of the deaths occurred in an area of mobile homes that was virtually wiped out, officials reported.
Hundreds Mourn Slain New York EMT
Hundreds of responders and residents from the region and beyond gathered Saturday to pay their final respects to EMT Mark B. Davis, 25, who was fatally shot Jan. 30 by an agitated patient.
Davis was a volunteer with the Cape Vincent and Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service squads and a part-time employee of Guilfoyle Ambulance. He was also training to become a paramedic at Jefferson Community College. Click for details and to view a photographic tribute.
Industry News
Free Training Video Provides First Line of Defense for Emergency Responders
Thanks to a recently released training video, emergency responders can learn about a free, valuable emergency response tool called CHEMTREC (CHEMical TRansportation Emergency Center) that has been serving the needs of emergency responders since 1971. CHEMTREC is a 24/7/365 emergency call center that provides immediate information and assistance to anyone involved in a hazardous materials incident.
Education Feature:
TRIAGE: The Cute, Cuddly Side of Disaster Response
Continuing on the theme of bears this week: at the Center for Domestic Preparedness located in Anniston, Ala., one innovative approach is using stuffed animals during triage training.
During a drill, what they find may be a furry experience: as they enter the mock explosion site, they find more than 75 stuffed animal 'victims' tagged with ages and symptoms. Time is of the essence and the students quickly decide which 'victims' are viable.
Featured Podcast:
Coming up next in the Open Airways series: "We got to the ambulance thinking it was going to be a typical sick person trip to the hospital. We went ahead and started the typical procedure ... we put her on the monitor. And the monitor showed a sinus rhythm. Well, sinus, but about 210. It went up to 250 as we were sitting there watching." George Perry discusses the importance of using consistent procedures during patient care and communication with the hospital.
Featured Job:
Paramedics, Critical Care Paramedics, EMT's and Communications Specialists -- Illinois and Texas
At MedCare Medical Services, "We are expanding our services and service area and are recruiting customer-oriented clinical professionals for our Dallas, Texas & Effingham, Illinois operations."
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
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Featured Forum Thread:
In one of the most popular posts this week, firemedicgm describes a recent code and poses a question. "The question that came up as we were discussing it later is, should an antidysrhythmic have been started, and if so what drug and what dose would you use? ... Just curious what others would do."
Check out the responses, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Following this week's intense coverage of the Australian wildfire disaster, our poll question is, Are you interested in international disaster and EMS news?
Click to participate, and view previous polls at www.EMSResponder.com/polls.
Reminders:
Next week: EMS at Firehouse World
Next week is the week! It's not too late to register. "EMS at Firehouse World" is bringing the high-level education you've come to expect from EMS EXPO Events to Firehouse World., Feb. 15-19 in San Diego, Ca.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Tennessee Rescuer Dies after Call
- North Carolina Responder Cited after Ambulance Crash
- Virginia County Strains to Meet Needs
- New York Department Denied Ambulance Certification
- North Carolina Responder Cited after Ambulance Crash
- Questions Surround Response to S.C. Head Trauma Victim
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.
