This Week in EMS: A Recap for September 15 - 21, 2007

In an update on the movement to create a national EMS memorial monument, the choice of location has come down to three jurisdictions spread across the country.

The sites under consideration are Arlington, Va., Kansas City, Mo. and Colorado Springs, Col.

"All appear to be good locations," said Kevin Dillard, president of the National EMS Memorial Service. "It's going to be a difficult choice."

The site selection committee will be visiting the proposed locations and meeting with EMS officials about their plans for fundraising and perpetual care of the monument.

The NEMSMS board expects to make a decision by early next year. Once the site is selected, the group will be accepting architects' proposals.

To read more from this exclusive update by EMSResponder.com reporter Susan Nicol Kyle, visit Jurisdictions Vye for EMS Memorial.

A feature this week from Lakeland HealthCare of St. Joseph, Michigan, details how medical personnel utilized a mobile ER to provide comprehensive care for endurance athletes at the rural Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon, which drew about 2,700 participants for a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run.

Medical care was provided by ER staff from Lakeland HealthCare in conjunction with paramedics from Medic 1 Ambulance of Benton Harbor, Mich.

Read the article to find out more about the care provided, as well as the benefits of coordinating such comprehensive care for a local event.

Details, along with links for additional information and photos are available at Mobile ER Brings Big-Time Care to Small-Town Triathlon.

Some hospital emergency departments are looking to incorporate a new technology aimed at reducing wait times -- and it's one that often takes patients by surprise.

Self-service computer kiosks are now available for patients to register their complaints and personal information, rather than waiting in line to check in with ER personnel. Patients simply click to select their symptoms and affected body parts, and those with the most serious symptoms are given priority.

The system sounds like a time-saver, but has received mixed reactions from patients and is likely to raise questions about patient safety in comparison to waiting longer to check-in, but being seen and heard by medical personnel.

To read more visit ED Kiosks Let Patients Avoid Long Lines.

In a startling rescue error reported this week, officials in Gary, Indiana defended a motor vehicle accident response in which they left two teens undiscovered at a crash site. The father of one of the teens found them dead at the scene seven hours later.

Two other teens who survived the wreck say they reported the remaining victims when they reported the wreck. However, officials say the two survivors had been drinking and provided unclear information, and that the crash site was checked for any additional victims.

Arthur Smith, who found the teens, said he wasn't even looking for his son's body when he went to see the crash site -- he was just trying to figure out whether his son had been there and where he had gone since.

"If they went down there, they didn't do a very good job," Smith said of police. "Because I found them without looking for them."

The Lake County coroner's office reported this week that the two dead teens died of blunt force trauma instantly after the crash.

To read the original report visit Indiana Authorities Missed Crash Victims, and for the latest update visit Chief Defends Officers Who Missed Teens at Indiana Crash Site.

EMSResponder.com Featured Column

Leadership & Cadence: The Value of Skill Sets
By Paul Murphy

"Regardless of the industry that is involved, most supervisors and managers will support employees who have developed their skill sets. Taking the time to learn new ways to use skills, or to develop their existing skills, can make a difference."

Click on the article to read more from Paul Murphy about developing skills that may lead to lead to supervisory roles in EMS -- and whether that path is right for you.

Industry Wire

"American Heart Association ECC is expanding your options to learn lifesaving skills -- and you're invited to view the highlights now," the AHA reports. "You'll now have even more choices for staying current at your own time, place and pace."

Learn about ECC's expanded eLearning platform in a special three-part webcast.

Part I: Why ECC eLearning
Part II: Benefits of eLearning
Part III: ECC eLearning Courses

See the full press release for additional information and to link to the AHA webcast.

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

Director of Emergency Services, Spartanburg County Communications Department, SC

"Position performs difficult professional and administrative work planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the Communications/9-1-1 Department, the Emergency Preparedness Department, the Emergency Services Academy, and the Office of the Fire Marshal. Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Administrator. Supervision is exercised over all department(s) personnel."

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

Paying for paramedic school

A forum member writes, "I live in NC and paramedic school here is free... I have actually had a few friends move out here to NC just to go to school then move home again. How much does paramedic school cost in other states?"

Click on the discussion to read more, or look for another topic in the EMS Responder.com Forums.

EMSResponder.com Poll

This week's poll asks, "Of the three locations currently under consideration for a national monument to fallen EMS personnel, which would be your choice?"

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:

Last Call for Candidates: Board of Trustees - National EMS Museum Foundation, Inc.

The Board of Trustees of the National EMS Museum Foundation is seeking to fill five Board of Trustee seats. All candidate proposals must be submitted by close of business this Friday, September 21, 2007. The election will be held during the EMS Expo/NAEMT annual meeting, October 11, 2007 in Orlando, FL.

Visit the full press release for application information.

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:

• Virginia Motorcyclist Killed in Crash with Maryland Ambulance
• Michigan Crews Remove 900-Pound Man From Home
• Car Bursts into Flames after Connecticut Ambulance Crash
• Free Wills Offered for Alabama Responders
• Pennsylvania EMS Responder Faces Charges in Crash

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.