Above and Beyond

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and EMS World Magazine, in conjunction with the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA) and the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE), established the National EMS Awards of Excellence program to recognize outstandinI cg achievement in the EMS profession. The nomination period for the 2012 is now open. Click here to enter. 

NAEMT is pleased to announce its 2011 National EMS Award recipients: The NAEMT Paramedic of the Year is Anne Edwards, NREMT-P, of Indianapolis, IN. The NAEMT EMT of the Year is William (Bill) Rise, EMT-I, of Milbank, SD. The awards will be presented on Tuesday, August 30, at the NAEMT Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, held in conjunction with EMS World Expo 2011, and at the EMS World Expo Opening Keynote on August 31. The NAEMT Paramedic of the Year Award is sponsored by EMS World, and the NAEMT EMT of the Year Award is sponsored by Braun Industries. Award recipients receive a $1,000 award stipend, a three-day core program registration to EMS World Expo, plus $1,000 for travel and lodging to attend EMS World Expo and the NAEMT Annual Meeting.

NAEMT Paramedic of the Year: Anne Edwards, NREMT-P

   Anne Edwards, a paramedic with Indianapolis EMS, "will step up when others shy away," says Michael Thralls, NR/CCEMT-P, PI, FP-C, CMO, operations commander for Indianapolis EMS. He describes her as always giving 100%.

Building EMS Knowledge

   Edwards trains new employees, as well as paramedic students, in the Indiana University School of Medicine.

   "Anne provides them with the structure and guidance they need to build a great foundation for their future field practice. She spends time after her shift to work with students, helping them prepare for the next day, an exam, or difficult concepts," Thralls says.

   In fact, Edwards was nominated by Silvia Alba, FF/EMT-P, whom she precepted during the ambulance rotation portion of the class.

   "I knew only that she was on Medic 10, one of the busier ambulances in Indianapolis, seeing its fair share of trauma and serious medical calls. Little did I know that she would become more than a preceptor; over the course of the rotation she proved herself to be a role model for patient advocacy, a patient and fair teacher, level-headed in the midst of chaos and the voice of encouragement," Alba says.

   "Anne is always willing to explain concepts, do post-incident analysis of runs, share resources to aid learning and encourage when she sees the need, and she genuinely wants to help students become good medics, capable of thinking critically and clinically," Alba adds. "She gives feedback to her students in private and makes sure they understand and learn from each experience. She herself is quick to ask medical directors questions to increase her knowledge and share it with her students."

   She notes that Edwards models her strong work ethic and conscientiousness when she unfailingly and thoroughly checks her ambulance at the beginning of each shift, anticipates a possible inability to get back to station for more supplies in case of back-to-back calls, and immediately addresses any issues that may interfere with patient care. "Anne is not one to stand on the sidelines when she can do something to make things better."

Providing Excellent Patient Care

   When the agency teamed up with the MESH Coalition to build a disaster team capable of deploying to the MAST-F, a 25-bed mobile tent hospital system, Thralls says Edwards quickly stepped up to volunteer her services and has become a team leader instrumental in developing policy and deploying missions. Additionally, to help unify EMS services within the county, Edwards has provided her expertise in developing a new field training program, policies and procedures. "She has put in hundreds of hours with the focus of making the service better for our future patients," says Thralls.

   Thralls notes that Edwards takes her time on scene to ensure that family members, friends and patients understand their options, and that she facilitates the best choices for the patient. He says that on time-critical calls, she guides the patient care team to keep everyone on task in a timely manner.

   Alba says Edwards is an inspiration and shares this story of how she goes above and beyond to advocate for her patients:

   "We had a run during which a female patient was confused about her medication. Anne called the company that sent the patient medication every month, getting the error corrected for both the patient and her husband when she realized he had the same issue. She saw the bigger picture--and by taking the time to make the call, she helped two people avoid becoming patients in the future. When the situation allows it, she helps her patients improve their long-term health."

   Alba says that on a busy ambulance, Edwards sees her share of "regulars," and although it is easy to treat these patients with less than professionalism, Edwards greets them by name and is familiar with their histories and issues, addressing their conditions with the same regard, time and time again.

   "I believe it is fair to say there are few people who display true passion for their work, compassion for others, dedication to the mission of their organization, and are willing to do both the sweaty, back-breaking work and office work with the same degree of energy, all while maintaining a positive attitude," says Alba. "Yet Anne does exactly that."

NAEMT EMT of the Year: William (Bill) Rise, EMT-I

   Rise, a volunteer EMT-I with Grant-Roberts County Ambulance Service is described as an outstanding example of an EMT by Katheryn Q. Benton, South Dakota EMT Association (SDEMTA) state training officer. "By helping educate other EMS providers and the public, as well as promoting safety to everyone, Bill shows his commitment to the care and welfare of the people of his community and the state of South Dakota," she says.

Commitment to Education

   Benton notes that because of Rise's commitment to EMS, he currently is enrolled in a paramedic program to increase his skill level. He looks to "provide an even higher level of care to the patients he serves and for the ambulance service of which he is a vital member," says Benton.

   Assistant Chief Corey Hooth of the Milbank Police Department also notes that Rise actively works on improving his knowledge and skills in EMS. Hooth says Rise's "dedication and commitment to the EMS profession is beyond reproach." Duane Tillman, EMT-I, of Grant-Roberts Ambulance Service, commends Rise for sharing his knowledge with other EMS personnel as well.

   Mike Mach of the Milbank Fire and Rescue Department comments that Rise has always been very active with the department, not only at the scenes of incidents, but also during drills and in helping newer members. "He is experienced with rescue drills and helps with planning and setting up different rescue drills such as vehicle extrication and procedures in an actual water rescue," Mach says.

Giving Back to the Community

   Since 1989, Rise has found time to volunteer with the Grant-Roberts County Ambulance Service and also volunteers many hours with organizations including the Milbank Volunteer Fire Department and the police reserves.

   He has served as a police reserve officer since 1999 and is secretary/treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police. As a member of the Milbank Police Department, Rise has been "a valuable member of our department, serving the Milbank community with honor and distinction," says Hooth.

   "Through continual training and hands-on experience, Bill has become a valuable asset to the local community," says Tillman. Rise is trained in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) and helps on the Watertown, SD, CISD team. It's one of his toughest jobs, Benton says.

   Trained as an American Heart Association CPR/AED instructor, Rise has been involved in coordinating and teaching bicycle safety courses to the public, teaching first aid courses to local fire departments, Boy Scouts and 4-H groups, and in many events promoting safety in the community. He also is involved with the Department of Public Safety, conducting annual child safety seat, seat belt and motorcycle helmet surveys within the county.

   Rise has served as vice-president of the SDEMTA for more than 10 years and has been involved on its various committees. He also volunteers for the Masonic Temple, Elraid Shrine in Sioux Falls, and the Yelduz Shrine in Aberdeen. "He has made numerous trips transporting children to the Shrine Hospital in the Twin Cities," notes Tillman.

   Benton says, "It's time for everyone to take notice of the person who is always helping, is there when needed, and is the one who always can be relied upon to get the job done."

EMS World Magazine Volunteer Service of the Year: Bay Shore–Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance, Bay Shore, NY

EMS World Magazine's Volunteer EMS Service of the Year Award, sponsored by Impact Instrumentation, and Paid Service of the Year Award, sponsored by Ferno, recognize outstanding performance by EMS services. The awards will be presented on Tuesday, August 30, at the NAEMT Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, held in conjunction with EMS World Expo 2011, and at the EMS World Expo Opening Keynote on August 31. Award recipients receive a $1,000 award stipend, a three-day core program registration to EMS World Expo, plus $1,000 for travel and lodging to attend EMS World Expo and the NAEMT Annual Meeting.

   Founded in 1958, Bay Shore-Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance (BSBRA) provides EMS care to the communities of Bay Shore, Brightwaters and West Bay Shore, as well as to residents of Fire Island via the Bay Shore Ferries, and mutual aid to neighboring departments. BSBRA responds to approximately 4,000 medical assistance calls a year in a 25-square-mile area and provides medical/rehabilitation care for all fire scenes. Current membership is 175, with certifications from dispatcher to paramedic. As of January 2010, the service offers 24/7 ALS coverage to the community.

   In addition to emergency calls, BSBRA provides standby services for special events like concerts, sporting events and other large gatherings, assisted by an EMS bike patrol unit. They recently purchased a special operations vehicle to respond to large-scale incidents. The agency works closely with the Bay Shore School District, local hospitals and nursing homes, as well as with Boy and Girl Scouts. In reaching out to the community, they adopt families at Thanksgiving and Christmas, host blood drives for local hospitals, and participate in other events. There is a youth squad for students ages 12–18 who are interested in medicine and volunteering. BSBRA is part of the Islip Town Ambulance softball league and the Jones Beach volleyball league, and members practice together, as well as running and bike riding as a group.

   BSBRA maintains an in-house CME program to help members meet their CME requirements and hold mandatory monthly training sessions. A defensive driving point deduction class is offered yearly as part of the driver training program that consists of both classroom and tactical elements. In addition to passing a written exam, candidates are evaluated multiple times before they are cleared to drive any core vehicle solo. A new protocol has recently been implemented that requires using a spotter when backing any core vehicle to reduce the risk of accidents.

   Worker safety is a high priority for BSBRA. In addition to requiring medical clearance as part of the membership application process, all riding members of the bike team are required to have an annual physical and clearance. Each agency member is provided a free flu shot and is fitted with N95 masks. Members must attend mandatory yearly BBP/OSHA safety training and hazmat response, and must attend mandatory training on sexual harassment in the workplace provided by a local law firm. Wearing OSHA gear is mandatory, and disciplinary action is taken on noncompliant members. After difficult calls, each member is required to go through CISD debriefing, and personal leaves are granted as requested to cut down on burnout and high stress levels. Each member is provided with a gym membership and is encouraged to stay in good physical shape.

   With an influx of membership and the town denying its budget increase, BSBRA has had to be creative with finances, but the organization has managed to make OSHA compliance a priority and has applied for a federal grant to make 100% compliance possible. Looking to the future, the agency is looking to upgrade its radio/pager systems to facilitate better communication in the event of multi-agency responses and mass casualty incidents.

   Visit Bay Shore-Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance online at www.bsbra.org.

EMS World Magazine Paid Service of the Year: Sussex County EMS (SCEMS), Georgetown, DE

   What began as a one-unit, 12-person department 20 years ago in Sussex County has grown to 8 units and 107 members today. SCEMS provides ALS service within a 938-square-mile area to a year-round population of almost 200,000, which increases greatly during the summer. It is a taxpayer-funded county government service, and patients are not charged for EMS assistance.

   As SCEMS has evolved, LifePak 5 cardiac monitors have been replaced with 12-lead monitors, and its paramedics were among the first in the country to use CPAP for patients with difficulty breathing. With more than 18,000 calls per year, SCEMS paramedics are carefully selected and train regularly through a progressive CE program and at regional and national seminars/symposia. Paramedics are equipped with the latest in state-of-the-art patient care and communications equipment and work within an ever-expanding scope of practice using the country's most progressive treatment protocols.

   SCEMS has a full-time, dedicated education coordinator assisted by a field training supervisor who oversees 16 field training officers. The continuing education provided as paid monthly sessions far exceeds the minimum NREMT and state requirements. In addition to CE, the agency has implemented a human patient simulator training program that requires all paramedics to complete several simulation sessions annually to maintain high standards in patient assessment and treatment decisions. Short daily training sessions have also been developed by the field training officers and are delivered through the department's intranet.

   Over the past years, SCEMS has placed mobile data computers in all of its vehicles to send AVL information to the dispatch center. Surge capacity has been increased by placing reserve vehicles and gear at every station, allowing oncoming shifts to bring an additional truck into service if the off-going shift is busy on another call at shift change.

   Worker safety is always a priority, and CE classes are offered on proper lifting techniques and proper storage and removal of equipment from paramedic units.

   Fitness equipment has been purchased and placed at three remote stations, and an EMS fitness center is centrally located in the county for all personnel, who are authorized to work out while on duty. In the past year, SCEMS has adopted a mandatory fitness evaluation for all current and new employees that requires them to be more physically capable of meeting the rigorous demands of the profession. The company provides annual physicals, as well as a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program with a variety of personal services.

   SCEMS is a member of the Safe Kids coalition and has committees that address pool safety, bicycle safety, helmet usage/safety, car seat safety and ATV safety, to name a few. Some personnel have participated in a bicycle rodeo and in bicycle safety checkpoints. Many personnel participate in an in-house blood pressure check program every two weeks, where they go to county offices and take blood pressures for fellow employees and give confidential feedback and counseling. SCEMS personnel also train fellow county employees in CPR and AED use, and provide first aid training to the county's EMS Response Team located in the county administration building.

   Educating the public is another priority for SCEMS medics, who participate in at least 100 events each year where they promote EMS's mission and values. They also speak at schools, to local seniors and law enforcement groups, and to many civic organizations.

   As one SCEMS employee noted, "'Caring People, Quality Service' is not only our slogan, but our commitment to excellence, and we honor that commitment for each and every patient we serve."

   Visit Sussex County EMS online at www.sussexcountyde.gov/dept/ems.

NEMSMA Executive of the Year: Chief Tom Quillin

Tom Quillin, chief of Leon County Emergency Medical Service (LCEMS) in Tallahassee, FL, is winner of the 2011 EMS Executive of the Year Award. Sponsored by the National EMS Management Association and Nasco, the award will be presented at the EMS World Expo Opening Keynote on August 31. Tom receives a $1,000 award stipend, a three-day core program registration to EMS World Expo, plus $1,000 for travel and lodging to attend EMS World Expo and the NAEMT Annual Meeting.

   When Quillin became chief of LCEMS in 2005, the organization was facing numerous challenges. His predecessor and another top officer had been fired, turnover was high and morale was low. "EMTs and paramedics were uncertain about their future at LCEMS, and it was difficult to find enough medics to staff the trucks on duty," his staff reported. "It was a daily occurrence for office staff to stop work and take ambulance calls. The service was floundering, and it was doubtful if it would continue to thrive."

   Quillin and his team knew they needed to make changes. Among them: replacing an aging fleet of ambulances with newer, safer models; instituting other safety measures like power-lift gurneys; and encouraging continuing education, including a tuition reimbursement program to give employees a chance for personal growth while on the job.

   The results were quickly evident: Back injuries fell, turnover decreased and morale improved.

   Quillin followed in his fire chief father's footsteps, becoming a firefighter with the Lake Forest (IL) Fire Department and assistant chief six years later. He became a certified EMT and earned an associate's degree in fire protection technology and bachelor's degree in technical education from Oklahoma State, and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He later became fire chief in Rolling Meadows and Skokie, IL. In 1990, he was named chief of the Tallahassee Fire Department. During his 15-year tenure, the department began answering medical calls for the first time in its history. After retiring as Tallahassee's chief, Quillin took the job with LCEMS. Today, he oversees the $15 million budget of an agency that serves some 274,000 residents of Tallahassee and the surrounding county, covering a 702-square-mile region. LCEMS answers 31,000 calls a year and transports just over 22,000 patients.

   The Executive of the Year Award was a career highlight. "I was blown away when I was notified that I had been selected," he says. "I had no idea I had been nominated. Naturally, I am extremely honored and humbled."

How did you turn things around when you became chief?

   Turnover was high and administrators had to staff the trucks, so we added people and increased the number of trucks on the street until we finally had adequate units on duty.

   We had regular command staff meetings and developed a strategic plan for the agency that covers staffing, how we'll run the organization, and goals and objectives for the future.

   We're upgrading our fleet from smaller units to medium-duty ambulances with a larger box and larger chassis. We included airbags for the back of the ambulance and implemented automated CPR devices so we don't have paramedics standing in the back of moving ambulances.

Your colleagues credit you with better integrating EMS into the hospital and community. Describe what you did.

   We worked with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Capital Regional Medical Center to get chest pain accreditation with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Every other week, our quality manager and hospital staff review all cardiac cases to see the results of what we're doing in the field and how patients are treated through the entire continuum of care.

   We do 12-lead EKG transmissions from the field to the hospital to reduce door-to-needle times for STEMI patients. At the beginning of the program, fewer than 50% of patients with chest pain reached the cath lab before 90 minutes; it's now 98%.

   Our return of spontaneous circulation rate is 21%; the national average is 3% to 7%. We anticipate doing hypothermia therapy in the field in the next few months.

What makes a great EMS leader?

   You have to take a genuine interest in your people. You must be accessible to them, help with their problems, encourage them and give them opportunities for career enhancement, and challenge them to do things outside their comfort zone so they grow in the agency and can do more in their job.
--Jenifer Goodwin

This article is reprinted from the newsletter Best Practices in Emergency Services. For the complete interview, go to www.emergencybestpractices.com.