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This Week in EMS: A Recap for February 19 - 25, 2011
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Three Children Killed, Four Hospitalized in Houston Day Care Fire
The scene was frantic--Houston firefighters performing CPR on three small lifeless bodies on a front lawn and rescuers carrying unresponsive toddlers in their arms.
Calif. Authority to Pay $76M After Error Surfaces
The Orange County Fire Authority will have to pay $76 million to make up for eight years in which funds went uncollected for special pay stipends for paramedics and others with specialized jobs.
Mom Sues Nashville Over Ambulance Response to Crash
A Channel 4 I-Team investigation that exposed people having to wait 15 minutes or longer for ambulances in Davidson County has now resulted in a lawsuit. A mother is suing the city of Nashville for failing to seek help from ambulance services in nearby counties.
The Corner Office: Practical Management for EMS Leaders
Avoiding the Potholes: Common Mistakes of New Leaders
For many new leaders, surviving the interview process is just the beginning of a sometimes treacherous path to success in a new position. This article lists some of the most common mistakes new leaders make and how to avoid them.
Case Study
New Ambulances an Investment in Safety
In April 2011, Island EMS, a subsidiary company of Nova Scotia-based Medavie EMS, will have five new type II Mercedes Mirage Ex Sprinter Ambulances built by Demers Ambulance. Leaders consulted with the EMS Safety Foundation to develop a safer ambulance that would provide maximum protection for paramedics, patients and the public.
EMS Life
A Personal Journey with Epilepsy
Whenever the topic of epilepsy or seizures comes up, this first responder talks about his daughter, her journey with epilepsy and all that being her father and caregiver has taught him, including the lifesaving vagus nerve stimulation therapy she receives.
Prehospital Profiles
Christmas Third Ride: In the Company of Wolves
A military man shares the ambulance on Christmas Eve, and learns a few things about EMS, including the fact that busy days give new meaning to the phrase "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it."
Book Review
Health Care Emergency Management: Principles and Practice
This book is a timely anthology that argues for what ought to exist in the face of disasters, manmade and otherwise: hospitals and emergency management authorities need to be bound together at the hip.
Podcast
Open Airways: It Sticks With You
"It was a late, pretty new Corvette, fully involved. And about maybe 10 yards away was a person somebody had pulled out of the car, with approximately 90% burns." Paramedic and firefighter Ricky Barnet shares his worst call with FISDAP's Liz Neerland.
Daily Tips
This month, Wren Nealy from Cypress Creek EMS offers his top tactical EMS tips: "Train in your respiratory PPE and keep this equipment available by carrying it in a drop leg pouch. This keeps it off the rear of the vest and makes it possible to sit in a raid vehicle for long periods of time. The straps on the mask need to be butyl rubber, not the mesh fabric many fire departments use to comply with WMD regulations."
Featured EMS World Magazine Article
Life Support: Adopt a Pet Peeve
What little things in EMS get under your skin? This month, columnist Mike Rubin shares his top 10 EMS pet peeves, which include: Crew members who crank up the audio to rock-concert levels; instructors who don't do their homework; ambulances that haven't been cleaned or restocked; and assisted-living facilities that don't prepare for emergent transports.
Continuing Education
Infectious Diseases: Annual, Recurrent and Emerging
As EMTs and paramedics, we learn about many infectious and communicable diseases, some of which we see on a regular basis, like influenza, the common cold, croup or sexually transmitted diseases. Other infectious diseases, like epiglottitis, are more obscure. This article discusses influenza, pertussis and cholera.
This CE activity is approved by EMS World Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for 1.5 CEUs. After reading the article, download the test that accompanies this article or take the CE test online at www.rapidce.com.
Product News
Louisiana Approves Tait on Statewide Network
Tait Radio Communications has completed testing and was awarded certification of its P25 digital portable and mobile radios for operation on the Louisiana Wireless Information Network (LWIN)--the state-wide communications network.
Noticeboard
National EMS Awards of Excellence
EMS World and NAEMT established the National EMS Awards of Excellence program to recognize outstanding achievement in the EMS profession. The nomination period is now open. Enter now for the chance to win monetary awards and a trip to EMS World Expo 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.
EMS United has been designed exclusively for EMS professionals. This is your place to connect with your peers quickly and easily online. Ask questions, share tips & tricks, discuss business challenges & solutions, & much more. Become part of EMS United today!
EMS World Webcast Archives: Insights and Explanations of the New AHA Guidelines
View these archived presentations that will help make sense of the AHA's new 2010 Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Basic Life Support (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) for adult and pediatric patients.
Featured Job
Executive Director, North Syracuse, NY
The North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NAVAC) is looking for an Executive Director. The ideal candidate will be a proven leader, personable and able to work with a diverse group of 150 volunteer and career staff.
Click above for details and visit EMSWorld.com/jobs for additional listings.
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Reader Poll
This week we ask readers: A Tucson firefighter distraught over the shooting that injured Rep. Giffords refused an assignment to provide supportive, nonemergency care at the scene, instead going home sick. Had he not resigned, what would have been an appropriate punishment? Click here to let us know your thoughts.
Upcoming Events
Visit our Events Calendar to see what educational opportunities are in your area, plus post your own listings. Here are a selection of EMS upcoming training events:
- February 26-March 2: Firehouse World, San Diego, CA
- March 11-12: The Long, Hot Summer Conference 2011, Brooklyn Park, MN
- March 14-18: Counter Narcotics & Terrorism Operational Medical Support (CONTOMS), Alexandria, VA
- April 9-16: 21st Annual IPMBA Conference, Richmond, VA
Other top headlines this week on EMSWorld.com
- Senate Passes Bill to Extend EMS PSOB Benefits
- Ohio Surgeons to Join EMS at Some Trauma Scenes
- Old Saybrook, Conn. Police Take on New Role: EMT
- Calif. Program Trains At-Risk Young Men as EMTs
- Phone App Provides Pa. Responders With Medical Advice
- Infamous NYC EMT Suspended Following Shoplifting Charge
- Ga. Department's $3M Ambulance Purchase Questioned
- Tenn. Medic Dies Following Surgery
- Drugs Stolen From Minn. Ambulance Allegedly Used in Rape
- Increased N.C. EMS Needs May Not Get Funding
- Florida Health Screening Sends 11 to Hospitals
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We Want to Hear From You
If you have a news lead or story idea you would like to submit to EMSWorld.com, please e-mail Nancy.Perry@EMSWorld.com.
