This Week in EMS: Medical Helicopter Crash...MAST Severance Package Outrage...PIO Pandemic Planning

Sign up here to receive the EMS Weekly Recap in your e-mail.

Three Crew Members Killed in Western Tennessee Medical Helicopter Crash

A medical helicopter crashed in a thunderstorm in western Tennessee early Thursday, killing a pilot and two nurses on a return trip from delivering a patient. There were no survivors.

La. EMS Board Fights Against Bill Lifting Oversight

Calling the idea "preposterous," the board that oversees all Louisiana emergency medical service workers has detailed its opposition to a bill that would exempt firefighters from the oversight of doctors and medical technicians.

Severance Paid to MAST Managers Infuriates Kansas City Officials

Several recent resignations by MAST ambulance's top managers have brought to light severance packages expected to cost about $700,000 -- including bonuses for this year and next. The payouts, especially the bonuses, are prompting criticism as the city tries to complete a plan to merge the Metropolitan Ambulance Services Trust into the Kansas City Fire Department by April 25

Technology Today

One Call Does It All

In December 2009, UMass Lowell Emergency Services, a university EMS system, used automated voice messaging to alert its EMTs after a New England ice storm cut off power to more than a million homes and businesses, closed schools, and knocked down trees and power lines. Learn more about the system UMass has in place that alerts EMTs when a large-scale event occurs.

EMS Training Center

Are You Embracing The New Frontier in Lifesaving?

The fire service has been incredibly successful implementing fire safety and prevention programs nationwide. Now it's time for EMS to step up to the plate. The Manheim Township Ambulance Association of Lancaster, PA, has done just that. This private, non-profit service, covering a population of 40,000 people in Lancaster County, recently developed an illness- and injury-prevention approach that is evidence-driven, aiming to serve the needs of its core population. This article outlines simple steps agencies can follow to implement effective injury- and illness-prevention programs.

H1N1 Pandemic Preparedness & Crisis Management in the Media Age

During a pandemic event, communications and sophisticated dissemination strategies must be used to effectively combat and counteract disinformation. At the core of this effort, emergency response planners must proactively manage and disseminate information, enlist and collaborate with key community representatives and groups, and anticipate and seek to mitigate inaccurate information before it emerges with irreversible momentum. This article details some best practices public information officers can deploy when handling disaster scenarios.

Featured Article

Along Came a Spider...

In 2006, there were more than 82,000 calls to U.S. poison control centers reporting spider bites. Maybe you ran a few of those calls. What species is the most common in your neighborhood? Have you seen the dreaded Springfield recluse? How about the Philadelphia or Sacramento recluses? This article will tell you what you need to know about these eight-legged creepy crawlies.

Continuing Education

ECG Clues to Identify the Site of Occlusion in Acute Myocardial Ischemia/Infarction

This video presentation sponsored by Philips discusses the value of ST depression and ST elevation in helping to better localize the acutely ischemic/infracted region and predict the site of occlusion within the involved coronary artery. The overall goal is to recognize clues in the ECG that will shorten the interval from discovery to treatment and improve patient outcome. After viewing this video, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.

This CE activity is approved by EMS Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for .5 CEUs.

Abdominal Trauma

Blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, particularly because it can be very difficult to recognize clear symptoms early. This article discusses the incidence and epidemiology of abdominal trauma, reviews abdominal anatomy, discusses the mechanisms of injury for abdominal trauma, explains an abdominal assessment as part of a trauma exam and discusses prehospital management.

This CE activity is approved by EMS Magazine, an organization accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), for 1.5 CEUs. After viewing this video, take the CE test that accompanies this lesson at www.rapidce.com.

Product News

Magnum Boots USA Launches Product Review Site for Customers

Magnum Boots USA has launched its new Magnum Field Testers program to allow its customers' voice to be heard. As a Field Tester, customers have the opportunity to rate Magnum footwear on its features, comfort, performance and value. Magnum Boots is rewarding Field Testers who leave thorough, descriptive and interesting reviews with free gear and designating them as an Official Field Tester.

Featured Job

EMTs or Paramedics, Panama City, FL

Bay Medical Center Emergency Medical Service in Panama City, FL, is recruiting full-time paramedics and EMTs for its hospital-based 9-1-1 system. Bay Medical EMS serves as the sole ALS provider for Bay County, Florida. The company offers competitive pay and benefits, paid education incentives, and has special operations teams, including Surf Rescue, Bicycle Medical, Tactical and Regional Major Incident/MCI teams. The area is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches.

Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.

Sign up here to receive the new EMS Jobs e-newsletter.

Featured Forum Thread

Hydroxocobalamin for Cyanuric Acid Intoxication

DrSkawman asks: I'm looking for protocols for smoke inhalation syndrome in patients with suspected cyanuric acid intoxicationand its treatment with Hydroxicobalamin.

Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.

Poll Question

This week we ask our readers: Paramedics in Nebraska are under investigation for letting an 11-year-old child speak a few words on their radio. What should happen to them?

Grant & Scholarship News & Resources

Nominations Now Open for 2010 Robert G. Nixon EMS EXPO Scholarship Program

Nominations are now open for the Robert G. Nixon EMS EXPO Scholarship Program, which awards two scholarships each year for EMS providers to attend EMS EXPO. The scholarship consists of a 3-day core program registration to EMS EXPO and $1,000 stipend to cover travel and expenses.

Have you recently written a successful grant proposal? Then we would like to hear from you for an article we are preparing on grantwriting best practices. Please e-mail your experiences to Nancy Perry, Editorial Director.

Website of the Week

Coalition for Tactical Medicine

The Coalition for Tactical Medicine (CTM) works to meet a growing need for more people to be equipped with lifesaving tactical and medical capabilities through raising funds to give qualified medical and non-medical personnel scholarships to pay for tactical medical education and training, including Tactical Casualty Combat Care.

Noticeboard

EMS Magazine News

EMS Magazine Editorial Advisory Board Member Raphael M. Barishansky, Chief of Public Health Emergency Preparedness for the Prince George's County Health Department, has been selected as a 2010 Senior Fellow at The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI). Mr. Barishansky's expertise is in the fields of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Medical Services and he is a nationally recognized author and lecturer.

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and EMS Magazine have established the National EMS Awards of Excellence program to recognize outstanding achievement in the EMS profession. The nomination period for these awards is now open. Don't miss your opportunity to win cash prizes and a trip to EMS EXPO.

Check out EMSResponder's daily tips. During March, we will feature daily vehicle safety tips. If you have a tip you would like to share with us, e-mail Editorial Director Nancy Perry.

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:

• April 10: Surviving the IED Response, Greensboro, NC
• April 12-14: Beyond the Street: EMS Supervisor Workshop, St. Paul, MN
• May 1-8: International Police Mountain Bike Association Conference, St. Louis, MO
• May 3-4: 1st Annual EMS on the Hill Day, Washington DC
• May 11-13: 2010 Disaster Recovery and Response Expo, Nashville, TN

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com

• Rural Signage Issue Raised in Nobles County, Minn.
• Pittsburgh EMS Supervisor Wins Pension
• Wait Times Plummet at Calif. ER
• Fundraiser Held for Fla. EMT Who Lost Leg In Crash
• P.E.I. Paramedics Push for End to Ambulance Speed Limits
• S.C. EMS Director Accused Of Threatening Wife's Life
• Fla. Firefighter Accused Of Watching Woman Shower Fired
• 4 Pa. Paramedics Suspended, 1 To Be Fired After Snowstorm Death
• Health Care Reform Brings Hope, Worry
• Hospital Helicopter Protocols Upgraded in Ariz.

Follow EMSResponder on Twitter

Stay in touch 24/7 with breaking news and industry developments by following EMSResponder.com on Twitter to get daily EMS news headlines delivered to your Twitter account.

We Want to Hear From You
If you have a news lead or story idea you would like to submit to EMSResponder.com, please e-mail Nancy.Perry@cygnusb2b.com.