News

This Week in EMS: A Recap for Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2006

HEATHER CASPI, Editor

11/30/2006

It has been a busy time in EMS as we head into holiday season. While many of us celebrated a holiday week last week, it was a devastating time for rescuers in Alabama when a school bus plunged from an overpass, resulting in multiple student fatalities.

The incident was among any community's worst nightmares. This week's latest reports are that funerals have been held for all four teens killed, and now two students and the bus driver remained hospitalized. Investigators reported that a car driving near the bus may have experienced malfunctions, resulting in the crash. In addition to an incredible rescue effort, the incident has sparked renewed debate over whether school buses should implement seatbelts. Like most, this bus did not have them.

For photos and reports visit: Multiple Fatalities after School Bus Plunges off Alabama Overpass

This week's top industry news came out of the Department of Homeland Security. According to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, the nation's major cities will have interoperable communications in place for first responders by the end of 2007. Furthermore, he said the plan is to have interoperable communications available in all 50 states by the end of 2008.

Chertoff made the announcement Nov. 27 at the 2006 Grants and Training National Conference in Washington, D.C.

Once in place, interoperability will allow first responders from multiple departments in a given region to communicate with each other during a disaster. Such communication is currently made difficult by the use of different communications systems by different departments.

This is a move responders have been waiting for; lack of communication has been pinpointed as a tragic weakness in responses to 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, and rescuers do not want to face that preventable situation again. Interoperability has been one of the main goals of DHS since it was created by Congress in 2002.

Read the exclusive EMSResponder.com article: Chertoff: Interoperability on Track.

In other disaster preparation news, the FDNY has recently created a combat style rescue-medic team, trained to reach and navigate the crevices of collapsed structures in order to aid injured and trapped survivors.

Fifty-two FDNY rescue-medics will be ready to work alongside police officers and firefighters in the rubble of any future New York City disaster, whether caused by a terrorist attack or natural catastrophe. The rescue-medics will administer medicine and fluids to victims who previously had to wait for extrication to be treated.

Read the full article: FDNY 'Combat' Medics Train for Elite Collapse Unit

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