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This Week in EMS: A Recap for September 22 - 28, 2007
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In a stand-out EMS response this week in Washington state, a woman was found alive Thursday after spending eight days trapped in her wrecked car southeast of Renton.
The car had tumbled off an embankment, and was located by rescuers searching the area near a cell phone tower that was receiving a signal from the woman's phone until the battery died.
When they found the car, a rescuer said they broke open a window and were surprised to find Tanya Rider, 33, alive.
Local news video shows rescuers extricating the woman from the vehicle. Once extricated, she was transported by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
For additional photos, video, and information visit the full article, Woman Found Alive After a Week Trapped in Wash. Car Wreck.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced the release this week of The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders, a review of sleep deprivation studies from related industries and their applications for the emergency services.
This report was the result of a partnership between the IAFC and USFA, with assistance from the faculty of Oregon Health & Science University.
The report considers applications to all types of EMS responders, not just fire-based, and notes the differences in lifestyles between EMS responders at various types of agencies. Those differences, such as scheduling, call volume, etc. need to be taken into account in reviewing the study and considering mitigation strategies for sleep deprivation.
The report provides interesting background on the science of sleep and its well-documented role in the performance of other medical, military and transportation personnel. It will make especially useful reading for any EMS personnel with sleep issues or any role in monitoring safety or scheduling at their agency. It is recommend that you read the report first and then view the downloadable video, which presents complimentary information.
"The research can apply to any busy station, volunteer or career, with any of the traditional schedules..." said IAFC President Chief Steven P. Westermann. "The report ends by providing several recommendations, not the least of which is how to spot sleep deprivation."
For more information read the full press release on EMSResponder.com, IAFC and USFA Develop Report on Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Firefighters and EMS Responders.
In another major industry report this week, it was concluded that the EMS system of New Jersey is in a "state of near crisis" and requires an urgent overhaul.
The report by Tri Data Corp. of Arlington, Va. noted a lack of state oversight, a lack of uniform training standards and a lack of manpower. The report also included 55 recommendations, including the creation of a Division of Emergency Medical Services that would have oversight of the state's nearly 25,000 EMTS and paramedics. Currently, the state has no authority over volunteer EMS personnel, which make up the majority of New Jersey's responders.
Other recommendations are to develop uniform standards for training, equipment and response times, and to draw more EMS personnel by allowing them to join the state's fire and police pension system.
Whether any of these recommendations will be implemented remains under discussion, amid numerous concerns including feasibility and the cost of such an overhaul.
"Obviously, EMS is very important for residents, but the cost involved would always be a concern," said Deborah Kole, a staff attorney with the New Jersey League of Municipalities. "Any increase in costs to municipalities that is mandated ultimately falls on the taxpayers."
Volunteer squads also raised concerns over the price of meeting state mandates to upgrade equipment or training.
The state's senior assistant health commissioner has told the EMS community that no decisions have been made.
For more information and a link to the state's report, visit the full article, Report: New Jersey EMS Needs Overhaul.
In the nation's latest major ambulance crash, two people were killed Sunday in Pennsylvania in a collision between a Chevrolet Cavalier and a Cranberry Township ambulance.
Foggy conditions are being blamed for the fatal collision, which occurred early Sunday morning on Route 19 in Marshall Township. Police did not know whether speed or any other factors played a role in the crash.
The two occupants of the car were killed, and three people in the ambulance suffered minor injuries. Their names and conditions were not reported.
For additional information visit 2 Killed in Pennsylvania Ambulance Crash.
EMSResponder.com Featured Podcasts
Listen to parts 1-3 of our podcast mini-series leading up to EMS Expo, in which we interview numerous Expo presenters who you will also know as frequent contributors to EMS Magazine.
We spoke this week with:
- Chris Kelly, JD, author of EMS Magazine's "Emergency 4-1-1" column regarding laws and regulations relevant to the ambulance industry.
He discusses his presentations, "Emerging Issues in EMS" and "Limiting Liability in EMS."
- Thom Dick, Quality Care Coordinator for Platte Valley Ambulance Service in Brighton, CO, whose many contributions include the column "Leadership Tips," and his webcast on EMSResponder.com, People Care: Practices and Perspectives for Professional Caregivers.
His upcoming Expo presentations are "Nuts & Bolts: Caring for the Small Ambulance Fleet" and "Anatomy & Physiology of an Ambulance."
- James J. Augustine, MD, FACEP, also a frequent, longtime contributor, most recently of the Sept. article, WHY WON'T HE WAKE UP? Altered LOC, decreased respirations & pinpoint pupils provide clues to a medication mishap.
He discusses his upcoming Disaster Responses presentations at EMS Expo, "EMS Approach to Blast & Burn Injuries" and "Cleaning & Screening: Best Practices for CBRNE Patient Decontamination for EMS." Listen for additional interviews next week, and visit www.EMSExpo2007.com for more information and online registration.
Industry Wire
A group of individuals and organizations have partnered to create an online network for local private sector leaders during crisis situations.
The Essential Public Network is planned to provide greater coordination -- and leveraging of corporate and community resources --during the critical first 72 hours after a disaster.
The network will create community-specific information hubs, with tools that include real-time, two-way information sharing between private-sector resources and government crisis response officials, as well as interactive maps, breaking news alerts via wireless text devices, and a surge component to allow local communities in crisis to draw upon and coordinate the resources of other communities tied into the network.
See the full press release for additional information.
For more business news and new products visit the EMSResponder.com Industry Wire. To submit a press release e-mail Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.
EMSResponder.com Featured Job
"All candidates indicating the minimum qualifications on their applications will be placed on the eligible list without further examination. The certification, license, training and experience of each candidate will be evaluated for appropriateness and quantity."
The salary is listed at $33,435 -- $53,395 and the closing date for this position is October 19. Employees will be required to obtain certification as a Firefighter I and Firefighter II acceptable to the State of Maryland and the Federal Emergency Management Agency within one year of the date of employment.
Click on the job title for the full job listing, including requirements and application information.
Visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs and our linked partner sites for additional EMS and related job listings. Also, watch for our expanded employment center coming soon on EMSResponder.com.
To submit an EMS related job listing e-mail Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.
EMSResponder.com Hot Topics
A forum member writes, "Does anyone know if one of these exists? With my current work schedule it would be hard for me to work and then study for class, let alone get to class... I know I couldn't do my clinicals online just wondering about the all the book/class work."
Click on the discussion to read the information provided by other members and to read the ensuing debate over the value of online courses vs. in-person instruction.
Find additional topics in the EMS Responder.com Forums.
EMSResponder.com Poll
This week's poll asks for your input on the issue of sleep deprivation in EMS.
Visit the poll on the lower right side of EMSResponder.com to participate.
What questions do you have for your fellow EMS responders? To submit a poll idea e-mail Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.
Reminders:
EMS Expo 2007 is Coming Up Soon!
EMS EXPO will take place October 9-13, 2007 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Visit www.EMSExpo2007.com for more information and online registration.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- D.C. Fire Agency's Medical Authority OK'd
- OnStar Data Used to Study Auto Crashes
- Lawsuit Claims Illinois Boy Was Refused Ambulance
- Arkansas Man: Ambulance Arrived Containing Furniture
- Paramedics on Scooters Introduced at San Diego Events
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.
