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This Week in EMS: A Recap for July 12 - 18, 2008
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Two unfortunate incidents unfolded this week to tarnish the reputation of major EMS agencies. First, it was revealed that at Newark's University Hospital in New Jersey, photos surfaced of paramedics participating in a hazing ritual in a style resembling the Ku Klux Klan.
The incident outraged fellow EMS providers and the community, and resulted in the firing of three paramedics. The state Department of Health and Senior Services left open the possibility that the paramedics may also lose their certification.
Read more at KKK-Style EMS Hazing Angers New Jersey Community and N.J. Weighs Further Action in Wake of Hazing Incident.
Also this week, it came to light that cheating is suspected on a paramedic exam in Cleveland, Ohio. Officials believe a fire department paramedic smuggled a copy of the test from the Fire Training Academy last October.
Cleveland requires paramedics to pass the city-administered test, known as the Paramedic Functioning Test, every three years. The employee could be fired and possibly face criminal charges, and as many as 130 employees may need to be interviewed in the investigation.
For further details visit Cheating Suspected on Cleveland Paramedic Exam .
Industry News
Free Poster: Do You Care Enough to ICARE?
A poster is currently in design to illustrate the ICARE principles. Your organization can show your support by displaying our exclusive poster. To request a free copy, e-mail your name, title, agency name and mailing address to nancy.perry@cygnusb2b.com. The poster will also be distributed at the EMS Magazine booth at EMS EXPO 2008 on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit www.emsexpo2008.com.
Call for Nominations: Emerging EMS Leaders
Do you know someone who you would consider an emerging leader in EMS?
EMS Magazine's annual search for the next generation of EMS leaders is currently underway. Send your nomination to nancy.perry@cygnusb2b.com by July 31, 2008. Click above to view the selections from recent years.
Featured Training Column:
Twin Cities Medics Train for Updated Incident Response Plan
"The new IRP changes were made as a result of lessons learned at recent incidents, such as the I-35W bridge collapse in August of 2007," writes EMS Educator Dave Long. "EMS and all responder staff found that the collapse disaster highlighted the unreliability of cellular phones."
Featured Podcast:
New Milford, CT EMTs Jack Mangin and Karen Bresson discuss patient care, difficult partners and other aspects of EMS life. This "Open Airways" podcast is created by Fisdap and EMSResponder.com.
Featured Job:
EMS Coordinator, San Diego County, CA
Applications are due today so don't delay. The salary range for this chief/administrative level position is $69,243 to $84,156.
Click for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings including:
- Candidates for Paramedic Training -- New Castle, DE
- EMTs and Paramedics -- Baytown, Houston, Webster, Pasadena, TX
- Communications Services -- National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
Featured Forum Thread:
"To me, successfully completing a multiple choice test does not indicate how much somebody knows about the material," writes forum member MrPookie. "Do you think that the students who are getting by on the multiple-choice tests by some guesswork will be weeded out when it comes to the other assessments in the class?"
Click above to join the conversation, or browse the forums at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Have you ever encountered hazing in EMS?
Click to participate, and view previous polls at www.EMSResponder.com/polls.
Reminders:
Call for Nominations: 2007-2008 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor
The deadline is approaching! The Department of Justice is accepting nominations for the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer until July 31, 2008.
Your Agency Could Be the Winner of the 2008 EMS Magazine Gold Service Award!
This award is also coming to a close! Click above for details and fill out the online nomination form by August 1, 2008.
5.11 Tactical, EMS EXPO & EMS Magazine to Sponsor 2008 Photo Contest
We're looking for photos of EMS/rescue/fire professionals in the field, at training events or in the workplace. Your photos could be featured in advertising campaigns, marketing materials or EMS Magazine. Entries must be submitted by September 16, 2008.
Call for Registration: EMS EXPO 2008!
Registration is open for EMS EXPO 2008. The conference takes place October 13-17 in Las Vegas, NV. Register early for the best conference rates and to guarantee your placement in limited classes.
Please answer a few brief questions. Results will appear in a forthcoming issue of EMS Magazine.
To submit case studies for possible review in EMS Magazine, e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Maryland Ambulance Involved in Crash
- North Carolina Rescue Squad Removed from 911 System
- Police: Shooting Victim Threatened Cleveland Paramedics
- NY Fire/Rescue Chief Criticizes 911 Program
- Caffeine Behind 4,600 Calls to Poison Control
- Maryland Governor Announces Interoperablilty Plan
- Indiana Ambulance, SUV Collide at Intersection
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.
