News

This Week in EMS: A Recap for August 25 - 31, 2007

HEATHER CASPI, Editor

08/30/2007

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Rescue personnel responded to two of their own Monday after a violent head-on collision between a Ford Thunderbird and an American Medical Response ambulance in Desert Hot Springs, California.

The ambulance was knocked onto its side, trapping two paramedics inside, officials said. The arm of the driver, a female paramedic, was pinned beneath the vehicle. Her co-worker was trapped inside the ambulance and had to be cut free.

Two occupants of the Ford, the driver and a front-seat passenger, died at the scene. A back seat passenger was ejected, while the fourth was not. Injuries of the surviving four crash victims were described as critical to moderate.

Witnesses reported that the Ford swerved around northbound traffic that had slowed because of the approach of the southbound ambulance, which was operating its lights and sirens, and then collided with it.

About 30 rescue workers from CAL Fire, the California Highway Patrol, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and American Medical Response ambulance service assisted at the scene of the crash.

To read the full article on this incident visit Two Paramedics Injured in California Ambulance Crash.

In a disaster preparation development last Saturday, the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) unveiled one of California's three new 200-bed mobile hospitals, the largest civilian medical response facilities of their kind.

The hospitals were acquired to provide additional medical surge capacity to local communities in the event of natural disasters, a pandemic flu outbreak or other mass casualty incidents.

One of the hospitals, along with other new medical assets to be used in responding to a major disaster, were showcased during a week of intensive training for more than 400 volunteer emergency responders at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. Responders simulated a major Southern California disaster in an area spanning five football fields, in one of the state's largest ever emergency response trainings.

"In California, it's not a matter of if a disaster will strike, but when," said Cesar Aristeiguieta, M.D., director of Emergency Medical Services Authority.

For additional details provided by the EMSA, visit California Unveils World's Largest Mobile Civilian Hospital.

In other major EMS news this week, a feature article from the Boston Globe highlighted the issue of violence faced by EMS personnel in urban settings.

Last year, 28 percent of the 193 injuries suffered by Boston EMTs were the result of violence, a figure that has held constant over the past five years, according to Boston Emergency Medical Services. This year EMTs have been injured in 24 attacks.

Nationally, no one tracks the number of EMTs and paramedics injured in violence on the job; however, the National EMS Memorial Service says 30 EMTs have died because of violence since 1993, including 14 killed while responding to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Many Boston EMTs said they are overworked and undertrained for what they confront on the street. They said they are increasingly sent to calls that in the past may have been answered by the police, such as a person drunk in the street, and too often must work without police assistance.

Boston offers EMTs a two-hour self-defense class, but many contend it's not enough. James Orsino, president of the EMS division of the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, said the city should require EMTs to be certified annually in self-defense, as they are for defensive driving and CPR.

"When someone is violent in a hospital, six people are used to restrain the person," he said. "In the street, it's you and your partner... It's a crazy situation."

Read more about Boston and visit the links to EMS Magazine's series on coping with violent patients at Boston EMTs Face Attacks.

In a shocking story to come out this Friday, D.C. officials are investigating prostitution claims against city EMTs.

As of this time no action has been taken against any employee in connection with the investigation, but "The allegation is being taken seriously. It is being investigated at this time," said Battalion Chief Kenneth Crosswhite.

According to a Washington Times report, sources say investigators are looking into whether female EMTs performed sex acts for money on men, including male fire department employees, in the bunkhouses of fire stations since late last year.

Sources say the investigation is also looking at whether a male fire officer might have also been involved in coordinating the operation.

For the full article visit Prostitution Claims Against D.C. EMTs Investigated.

EMSResponder.com Featured Column

Leadership & Cadence: Plan, Do, Study and Act

Regular EMSResponder.com contributor Paul Murphy writes this month about the PDSA model, often considered a key element of quality improvement programs.

Paul writes, "Businesses utilize this or similar processes on a regular basis; healthcare is not an exception. It should be noted that this approach might allow for immediate and more effective opportunities to be identified and implemented. This in turn can lead to enhanced patient care, improved employee satisfaction, and overall improvement in process and quality."

EMSResponder.com Featured Job

Ambulance Sales Manager - Va.

Singer Associates has an immediate opening for the position of Ambulance Sales Manager. Singer Associates proudly represents Pierce Manufacturing, Medtec Ambulance, PL Custom and Rescue 1 product lines, as well as builds custom command and specialty vehicles. Our sales territory includes Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia and portions of West Virginia.

This position is based out of the headquarter office in Gainesville, VA. Ideal candidate will have a four (4) year degree, 4-6 years sales experience, and extensive knowledge and experience within the fire & emergency services. Singer Associates provides an excellent compensation and benefits package.

Click on the above job listing for additional details.

Visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs and our linked partner sites for additional job listings. Also, watch for an expanded employment center coming soon!

To submit an EMS related job listing e-mail Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.

EMSResponder.com Hot Topics

What's the most BS call you've had?

This lively discussion, which has been running since May and has been viewed more than 1,500 times, asks readers to share stories about calls that turned out to be anything but an emergency.

Click on the discussion to read more, or look for another topic in the EMS Responder.com Forums.

EMSResponder.com Poll

This week's poll asks, "Have you ever been assaulted by a patient?"

Visit the poll on the lower right side of EMSResponder.com to participate.

What questions do you have for your fellow EMS responders? To submit a poll idea e-mail Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.

Reminders:

Deadline: Call for EMS Historical Artifacts

The National EMS Museum Foundation is planning an exhibit of artifacts at EMS Expo this October.

Individuals planning to attend Expo who have a unique piece of EMS history they'd like considered for show, are encouraged to get in touch with NEMSMF no later than August 31, 2007. Contact Jules Scadden, NEMSMF Secretary, at jkaymdc@aim.com or 712-660-0881.

Call for Candidates: Board of Trustees - National EMS Museum Foundation, Inc.

The Board of Trustees of the National EMS Museum Foundation is seeking to fill five Board of Trustee seats. All candidate proposals must be submitted by close of business September 21, 2007. The election will be held during the EMS Expo/NAEMT annual meeting, October 11, 2007 in Orlando, FL.

Visit the full press release for application information.

5th Annual EMS Systems Survey

EMS Magazine is proud to offer the 5th annual comprehensive survey of EMS systems in the United States. Make sure your agency is represented in this important resource. Survey results will be published in the December 2007 Gold Book/Buyer's Guide and are designed to provide an overview of the EMS industry as it exists today across the spectrum of EMS delivery systems.

To learn more and respond, visit the 5th Annual EMS Systems Survey page on EMSResponder.com.

Elbeco Incorporated to Launch National Contest

Elbeco Incorporated is celebrating its centennial year by honoring the men and women who wear their uniforms.

Starting September 1st, Elbeco Incorporated will launch the "Every Elbeco Uniform Tells a Story" contest. Current and past EMS professionals are encouraged to submit interesting stories that happened while they were wearing an Elbeco uniform.

The contest begins September 1, 2007 and runs through December 31, 2007. The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 cash and a $1,500 Elbeco credit for his or her current or past department. Other prizes will also be awarded for second and third place, and for monthly finalists. Visit their press release for full details.

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:

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.