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This Week in EMS: A Recap for Feb. 23 - 29, 2008
This week's top EMS news:
An explosion tore through a Waukegan, Illinois shopping plaza Thursday afternoon, injuring at least eight people in this Chicago suburb.
Responders transported five patients, none with life-threatening injuries, and treated three at the scene. Reported injuries included smoke inhalation, bumps and bruises. Officials said they were "99.99 percent" sure the rubble had been cleared and no one was missing.
Officials believe the incident was caused by a gas explosion. It shattered windows, brought down the roof of the plaza, and startled witnesses by blowing store mannequins, which appeared to be victims, onto the street.
For details visit: Explosion Rocks Illinois Shopping Plaza.
Check out the EMSResponder.com Video Network for this week's top training and technology videos:
For the second week in a row a school bus full of children has overturned, creating a pediatric multiple-casualty emergency. This week's event occurred Wednesday morning in Prince George's County, Maryland.
There were 44 students on the bus. Three to five students suffered painful trauma injuries and about 22 suffered neck and back pain, officials reported. None of the injuries were life-threatening.
The bus driver suffered serious trauma injuries but was expected to recover and to be charged in the traffic accident. Police reported that the bus tried to beat a traffic light and made an unsafe lefthand turn. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Read more and see additional photos at School Bus Overturns in Maryland.
Featured Article:
Rhode Island Nightclub Tragedy Revisited Five Years Later
Five years ago this month, patrons at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island were enjoying the opening performance of a rock band when things went horribly wrong.
Pyrotechnics ignited the sound-proofing foam on the walls and caused the club to erupt into an inferno. Panic set in as the crowd scrambled in the dark, choking from the thick toxic smoke to find a way out.
In the end, 100 didn't make it out. More than 200 others were injured, and for many of them, the road to recovery is littered with challenges. However, they are not alone. The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors will be walking with them every step of the way.
Read more about these burn survivors in this EMSResponder.com article by Susan Nicol Kyle and Lisa Snowden.
Featured Column:
"Greetings everyone from out here where the snow is deep and avalanche control pictures make the front page of the newspaper," writes EMS book reviewer Norm Rooker. "...Before we get to the written word, something for those fans of the television series EMERGENCY!"
Click above to read on.
Featured Podcast:
Look Monday for a new podcast in this series, in which we speak with EMS Magazine author Thom Dick about his controversial February article, EMS' Dirty Secret.
Listen as Thom discusses issues long ignored in EMS regarding the effects of volunteerism on the health and safety of its providers, as well as the health of the industry. Thom also explains how the article came about.
To share your views on Thom's article or podcast, join the conversation.
Featured Job:
Paramedics and EMTs -- Action Care Ambulance, Parker, CO
Action Care Ambulance is passionate about healthcare and EMS and we are looking for individuals to share our vision. If you're dedicated, energetic, and have the desire to help shape the future of healthcare along with your own, consider the many opportunities available.
Our field staff have the opportunity for a wide range of schedules for maximum flexibility to adapt to personal and family lifestyles. All crews are quartered in stations that include crew friendly features.
Benefits include:
- Competitive wages based on experience
- Health, Dental, & 401K
- Paid vacations, holidays, sick days, and continuing education
- Employee recognition program with bonuses and gift cards
- Great opportunity for advancements
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs to for additional listings.
Featured Forum Thread:
A visitor writes, "Just wondering what various services/departments do to maintain accountability of their narcs on board the trucks. A concern came up tonight regarding our system..."
Click above to read more, or browse the forums at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
Do you enjoy EMS themed entertainment? (Books, movies, TV, etc.)
Visit the poll on the lower right side of EMSResponder.com to participate. View previous polls at www.EMSResponder.com/polls.
To submit a poll idea e-mail Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.
Reminder:
It's time to nominate candidates for EMS Magazine's 23rd Annual Braun Industries/Monster Medic EMT/Paramedic of the Year Award. Follow the link for details.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- D.C. Medics To Be Tested on Skills
- Probe Follows New York EMT's Death
- Dallas Officials Answer Crash Response Questions
- 7-Year Prison Term Given in Texas Paramedic Injury
- FDNY EMT Target of Drool Lawsuit
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.
