This Week in EMS: Feds Want $16 Billion for Public Safety Communications

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Feds Want Wireless Network for First Responders

Federal regulators will recommend that Congress devote up to $16 billion over 10 years to pay for a nationwide wireless broadband network that would allow police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers to communicate with each other.

Nevada Cities Re-Examine EMS Response

"Dual response" is a popular model, but a Clark County task force is looking for ways to rein in spending.

Virginia EMS Supervisor Hits Firefighters With SUV

Two Fairfax County firefighters treating a bicyclist along a road were struck by a vehicle operated by a supervisor.

EMS Operations

The Strategic National Stockpile (and What It Can Do For You)

You may have heard of the Strategic National Stockpile, or SNS, and wondered what it is and why it's important to you and your EMS agency. Read this article for an overview of this important resource--one you might need sooner than you think.

EMS Training Center

Does EMS Activation of Heart Catheterization Labs Have an Impact on D2B Times?

EMS plays an important role in the care delivered to patients with STEMIs or other MIs. Some EMS crews now have the capacity to transmit electrocardiograms from call scenes directly to emergency departments for ED physicians and cardiologists to read, allowing them to activate cath labs if necessary. Due to the importance of prehospital ECGs and the vital role EMS plays in positive STEMI patient outcomes, this article will examine whether the role EMS plays is truly vital to D2B times.

Featured Article

2010 Ambulance Safety Conference Focuses on Patient and Provider Safety

In January, experts from across the globe gathered in Phoenix, AZ, at the Ambulance Safety Conference hosted by the National Association of EMS Physicians and sponsored by ZOLL to discuss how EMS systems can be made safer.

Continuing Education

Therapeutic Hypothermia in EMS

New this month we offer a video-based CE presentation: Protocols are emerging that specify post-cardiac arrest cooling in the ambulance. This video presentation, sponsored by Philips, examines EMS protocols and describes how you might start cooling in the field, monitor patient progress and hand off to the hospital. 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.

Business News

CyberLock Helps Clark County Fire Department Manage Narcotics

Clark County Fire Department has implemented the CyberLock system of electronic lock cylinders and programmable keys to manage and control access to their controlled substances.

The National EMS Academy, a partnership between Acadian Ambulance and South Louisiana Community College, has been granted five-year initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Featured Job

Firefighter/EMT, Bella Vista, AR

Applications are now being accepted to fill future positions. The successful applicant(s) must have a high school diploma or equivalent; be willing to work nights, weekends and holidays; and have current EMT certification. EMT-Paramedic experience preferred.

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

Testing Tips

mcdonl says: My question is how indicative of the EMT-B exam are online anatomy flash cards, and how big of a section is the anatomy portion of the EMT-B test? The parts that kill me are the bones in the skull, hip and face. I get the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, reproductive, endocrine and urinary systems, but above mentioned areas have so many parts! Does anyone have any better study methods?

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

Poll Question

This week we ask our readers: A new position statement from the NAEMT opposes EMS providers' participation in the execution of criminals. Do you agree with this position?

Grant & Scholarship News & Resources

Scholarship Established in Memory of Pafford EMS Medics

The Pafford Family has established the Pafford EMS Endowed Scholarship on the 5th anniversary of an accident that claimed the lives of three Pafford EMS medics.

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

Rural Assistance Center

The RAC provides a variety of resources for rural EMS systems including information on fundraising, grant writing, FAQs, education and online resources, all designed to improve the delivery of rural emergency medical care.

Noticeboard

EMS Magazine

Check out the latest issue of EMS Magazine. This month, we feature articles on managing the heart failure patient, new cardiac care technologies, EMS response to suicides and prehospital intubation training.

EMS Responder Daily Tips

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.

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.

Helping Heroes Program Offers Free CE

EMSResponder.com, CentreLearn Solutions and Emergency Preparedness Systems jointly announced the launch of the RapidCE.com Helping Heroes program, which offers certified first responders, EMTs and paramedics affected by the recession free continuing education to maintain their professional license or certification during their layoff or furlough.

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.

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 28-March 4: Firehouse World/EMS Expo, San Diego, CA
• 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

• Bill From Texas EMS Is Heart Stopping
• Ky. Doctor Stabs Woman in Chest with Sword
• Narcotics Stolen from Colo. Ambulances at Fire Stations
• Judge Sets Stage for Trials Over 9/11 Illnesses
• Ore. Law Would Require Every School to Have an AED
• Sick Man Points Gun at Conn. Cops, EMTs, FFs
• Cascade of Failures Paralyzed Pittsburgh During Snowstorm
• Md. Ambulance Service Loses More Than 10K Records
• Driver Sentenced to 10 Years in Ambulance Crash
• P.E.I. Paramedics Worried by Speed Limit

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.