This Week in EMS: A Focus on Safety
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Departments Ready for Safety, Health and Survival Week
Safety -- whether it's on the fire ground, in the back of an ambulance or responding to an alarm -- is personal.
"It's your responsibility to make safe choices," said Billy Goldfeder, chair of the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival section. Departments across nation are gearing up for the annual Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, which begins Sunday. Click for resources, and look for further coverage next week.
Death Toll Rises in Mexican Day Care Fire
In a major international incident, 44 children were killed as a result of a day care center fire last Friday in northern Mexico. More than 30 additional victims, both children and adults, suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation. Three of the most seriously injured children were being treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Northern California.
According to reports, there was only one exit, forcing citizens and rescuers to knock through walls to reach the children.
WHO Declares Official Swine Flu Pandemic Has Begun
The World Health Organization has gone to its highest alert level, declaring an official swine flu pandemic Thursday, as infections worldwide rose to nearly 30,000 cases. It is the first global flu epidemic in 41 years. There have been 144 deaths.
For further news and resources visit www.emsresponder.com/swineflu.
Maine Firefighter/Paramedic Dies After Collapsing at Station
South Portland, Maine Firefighter/Paramedic Debra Cole died June 11 after collapsing in the fire station a day earlier. Cole reportedly collapsed in the firehouse prior to the end of her shift on Wednesday and was discovered by fellow firefighters. She apparently suffered a stroke. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Featured Podcast:
In this Open Airways podcast, Susie Kochevar, RN and Health Care Coordinator for the North Las Vegas Fire Department, describes how she learned an interesting aspect of pediatric physiology that could impact the emergency care of young patients.
Training Feature:
Real World Skills for Scene Safety
EMS Educator Kip Teitsort begins a 5-part series this month on scene safety. It debuts in conjunction with the 2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, and will run through October. Kip is the founder of DT4EMS, which emphasizes recognition, avoidance and escape from violent situations. Following the series, Kip will be a featured speaker at EMS EXPO 2009, this October 26-30 in Atlanta, Georgia. See www.emsexpoevents.com for details.
Featured Job:
Critical Care Paramedic - Bennington, VT
"Located in Southwestern Vermont in the beautiful green mountains, Bennington Rescue provides Ambulance and Fly Car services... We offer competitive wages and comprehensive medical and dental benefits and seek highly motivated, self starter who works well with limited supervision. "
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
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Featured Forum Thread:
"I'm afraid. That I may have caught whackeritis."
Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Do you ever worry about your safety, while on duty as an EMS responder?
Reminders:
Announcing the Robert G. Nixon Memorial Foundation EMS EXPO Scholarship
The Robert G. Nixon Memorial Foundation was created to provide access to educational opportunities for deserving EMS professionals. The deadline for applications is August 3.
SafetyCare Accepting Nominations to Honor Extraordinary EMT with Annual Award
SafetyCare, a national leader in Personal Emergency Response Systems, is seeking nominees for the third-annual Jack and Rosemary Gulati SafetyCare Awards. Deadline for nominations is July 31.
EMS EXPO Announces Photo Contest for 2009
For the second year, EMS EXPO is looking for photos of EMS/rescue/fire professionals in the field, at training events or in the workplace. Photos must be received by September 18, 2009
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- CPR by Sons Revives Virgina Rescuer
- Stolen Ambulance Blocked by D.C. Engine
- Two Killed as Detroit Ambulance and Van Collide
- D.C. Paramedics to Be Retrained after Failing Tests
- No Charges Filed in Oklahoma Trooper, Paramedic Scuffle
- Crews Find 3rd Body Inside NC Plant
- Bus Fire in China Kills 25, Injures Dozens
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.
