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This Week in EMS: A Recap for Jan. 27 - Feb. 2, 2007
Two EMTs died in the line of duty this week in separate incidents.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol told EMSResponder.com that 51-year-old Janez Case was seriously injured when the ambulance she was riding in slid off the road and overturned. Case was an employee of Clayton, Okla. EMS. Two other women were also inside the ambulance at the time of the crash -- the driver, who suffered only minor injuries, and a 16-year-old patient, who is in stable condition.
To read more visit: Oklahoma EMT Dies after Ambulance Crash.
Earlier this week, career EMT Craig Dorsey II, 24, and Fred Burroughs, 52, a volunteer firefighter of Ghent Volunteer Fire Department in West Virginia, were killed by an explosion as they responded to a gas leak. Another firefighter was in critical condition.
EMSResponder.com's Susan Nicol Kyle reports that the ambulance, occupied by Dorsey and EMT Christopher Cook, was destroyed by the blast that was felt miles away. Cook was released after treatment at a local hospital.
Dorsey was also a volunteer firefighter, was engaged to be married and had a young son. To read the full article visit: Rescuers Mourn Deaths of West Virginia EMT and Firefighter.
The top industry news this week was a controversial article regarding substance abuse by California paramedics.
The Sacramento Bee reports that while such cases are rare, they are increasing. In the last two years, it reports, the state agency charged with monitoring and prosecuting substance abuse by paramedics has logged more than 65 drug and alcohol cases -- up from only eight cases in 1999-2000.
Concerned about the trend, Dr. Cesar Aristeiguieta, California's EMSA director since 2005, recently began requiring paramedics arrested on suspicion of drug or alcohol-related offenses -- even off-duty -- to be evaluated by an addiction specialist. He wants to "intervene early on, try to salvage people's careers, and assure public safety."
The article goes on to discuss several cases, examining the issue from both the point of view of the troubled medics and the affected patients. To read the article visit: Substance Abuse Rises Among CA Medics .
Another article from the Sacramento Bee this week examined fraud in state paramedic licensing and recertification. It examines cases in which unqualified medics cut corners by embellishing training records, manufacturing classes never attended, or claiming someone else's license number. These problems are not likely limited to California, but it is clear that the state is recognizing and struggling to resolve them.
To read more on license fraud, visit: Fraud Taints California Paramedic Licensing Process.
Reactions to cases like these are mixed; if offenders of substance abuse or fraud come forward, should they have an opportunity to salvage their careers, or should they lose their paramedic licenses permanently? To discuss this or other EMS topics visit our forums.
On a lighter note, this week's news included an update on the cancer survivor who is now helping others as a firefighter, future EMS provider, and... one of the World's Strongest Women. At her Saturday charity event, she pulled a fire engine 75 feet and raised an estimated $6,500 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
To read this exclusive EMSResponder.com feature visit Virginia Rescuer Completes Charity Engine Pull.
News You Can Use
The CDC released plans this week to rank emerging pandemics the way weather forecasters rank hurricanes. They will rank from Category One, least threatening, to Category Five, most threatening, and each level will carry certain advisements. For more information visit: CDC to Rank Pandemic Severity Like Hurricane Strength.
Also this week, EMS Magazine announced the opening of nominations for the 22nd Annual EMT/Paramedic of the Year Award, sponsored by Braun Industries and ZOLL Medical.Corporation.
Please visit www.emsresponder.com/paramedic for contest rules and entry.
Finally, EMS Magazine and EMSResponder.com are preparing this year's annual website review. If you would like to submit a website for consideration, please e-mail your suggestion to website editor Heather Caspi at Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com. We are looking for websites in a variety of categories, and are interested in what you, our readers, choose as your online resources.
Other top headlines on EMSResponder.com this week:
