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This Week in EMS: A Recap for May 5 - 11 2007
The news that caused the biggest stir in the industry this week was the surfacing of a raunchy video created by two FDNY EMTs while on the job, showcasing their crude interactions with street people, patients who apparently did not know they were being filmed, and commentary regarding patients, neighborhoods and the FDNY.
Although the video was created several years ago, it was only recently brought to the attention of top department officials via anonymous mail.
The incident has brought attention to a lack of supervision over the department's EMS field providers. However, almost as disturbing as the video itself, is the fact that it went unreported for years while reportedly being shared with friends and colleagues as entertainment. Such a breach of public trust will reflect poorly on not only the two EMTs who created the video but on the entire culture around them that apparently tolerated it.
The two EMTs, who were 14-year and 17-year veterans of the department, promptly resigned last week.
For more on the video and the fate of the two EMTs visit: 'EMT's Gone Wild' Forces FDNY Resignations.
Before the first tree snapped like a toothpick in Greensburg, Kansas last Friday night, a task force of EMS commanders was on alert.
It was only 30 minutes after the regional team was notified to stand by that they got the call that the community of Greensburg had taken a direct, severe tornado hit.
This EMSResponder.com feature article details the Major Emergency Response Group (MERG) that was organized in this region of Kansas several years ago after a different tornado, and how their preparation put them in a stronger position to respond this time around.
The article also details the incident response, including the regional disaster communications solution.
To read the full article and view a slideshow of photos provided by local rescuers visit: Regional EMS Planning Pays Off in Kansas.
In a follow-up to an April article on EMSResponder.com, Congress Breathes New Life into Trauma Care Bill, that bill to upgrade the nation's trauma centers became law on May 4th.
President George W. Bush signed into law the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-23), reauthorizing funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Trauma-EMS Program through fiscal year 2012 to all 50 states.
This legislation is intended to help more communities establish statewide and regional trauma systems. The bill will also create a new competitive grant program for states that have already begun the process of establishing a trauma care system using national standards.
For further information visit: President Signs Trauma Care Bill into Law.
In another news update, the disciplining of two D.C. firefighter/EMTs for a mistake that brought a harsh spotlight onto the entire department has been put on hold.
A D.C. Fire and EMS Department trial board originally ordered suspensions for the two, and last week Chief Rubin increased the penalties, ordering the firing of one firefighter and a longer suspension for the other. The two were involved in the botched response in January 2006 to New York Times reporter David Rosenbaum.
This Monday, however, D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Tignor issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the discipline from being carried out. The parties are scheduled back in court on May 18th. For further information visit: Judge Puts Halt to D.C. EMS Firing.
Reminders:
May 20-26, 2007 will be the 34th Annual National EMS Week.
For more information on this event and how to obtain program materials visit National EMS Week 2007 to Run May 20-26.
If your department or agency has activities planned and you would like to see your efforts profiled on EMSResponder.com during EMS Week, submit your nomination to EMSResponder.com editor Heather Caspi at Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com. Tell us what your department has planned and who to contact for further information. Nominations must be received by Monday, May 14, 2007.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is accepting applications for its 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP). The application submission period is April 25 through May 29. For more information visit Application Period Opens for DHS's 2007 CEDAP Grants.
The 15th annual National EMS Memorial Service will be held in Roanoke, Virginia on May 26. For memorial details, visit: Honorees Announced for the 2007 National EMS Memorial Service..
Nominations are being accepted for EMS Magazine's 22nd Annual EMT/Paramedic of the Year Award, sponsored by Braun Industries and ZOLL Medical Corporation. Nominations must be received by July 2, 2007. For full contest rules and instructions please visit www.emsresponder.com/paramedic.
EMS Magazine is also accepting nominations for the 2007 EMS Magazine/National Association of EMTs Gold Service Award. For contest rules and to submit nominations, go to www.emsresponder.com/goldaward. Nominations must be received by August 1, 2007.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
