News

This Week in EMS: DHS Grant Funds...Open Source Software...Dealing With Low Performers

02/04/2010

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The federal government has opened up another round of awards for disaster, homeland security and other emergency needs.

Carbon Monoxide Hospitalizes Kan. Responders, Civilian Killed

Officials say one person died, two emergency responders were hospitalized and nine others were treated after being overcome by carbon monoxide in central Kansas.

Driver Crashes Car Into Nev. Casino; Two Dead, 9 Hurt

A 70-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a car crashing through the entrance of a Laughlin resort on Wednesday, killing two women and injuring at least seven others.

Technology Today

Open Source Dispatch Software

Much of the software used by emergency services today comes in a "one size fits all" box. It makes no difference if the community is 600 or 600,000, and, for many smaller agencies, the cost of such software is simply out of reach. The Open ISES project offers fire/EMS departments easy-to-use dispatch software for free.

The Corner Office: Practical Management for EMS Leaders

Dealing With Low Performers in EMS

Dealing with chronic low-performers can be one of the most daunting tasks in any management team's purview. But, if executed well, a simple, straightforward method based on best practices in healthcare can transform any organization.

Continuing Education

Abdominal Pain

Because EMS agencies respond to requests for assistance due to abdominal pain, providers should have a basic understanding of abdominal anatomy, as well as the conditions that can result in abdominal pain or discomfort. This month's CE article provides a general overview of abdominal pathology.

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.

Industry News

Pulling Back the Mil-Spec Curtain

Given the dependence on Mil-Spec to evaluate rugged laptops, here's some information on common misconceptions and important recommendations to help anyone considering which rugged notebooks to deploy.

Featured Job

Firefighter/Paramedic, Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue, Dillon, CO

Job requirements: Previous firefighter experience typically attained with 2-3 years experience (volunteer, resident, career firefighter and ambulance service experience applies); Colorado/IFSAC Firefighter I; NREMT-Paramedic or CO EMT-Paramedic; Colorado/IFSAC Hazardous Materials Operations Certification; Incident Command System I-200 (ICS), I-700 (NIMS); Must posses or be capable of obtaining Wildland Red Card (S130/190).

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

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Featured Forum Thread

Swan Song for Volunteer EMS in the Big Apple?

lifevsdeathuk says: I read with alarm but little surprise that the Fire Department of New York is bent on factoring the volunteer squads out of the 911 system for that city. When I profiled the volunteer squads of that city in a running series for EMS Magazine almost a decade ago, long-term pessimism characterized the outlook of the volunteer leaders there.

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

Poll Question

This week we ask our readers: Do you get feedback on your CPR?

Grant News & Resources

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.

Noticeboard

NAEMT Introduces New Squad Membership Program

To provide real value and savings for EMS squads, NAEMT has teamed up with some of the most prominent brands in EMS products and services as part of its new squad membership program.

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride Routes Announced

The Board of Directors of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, Inc.,--"Muddy Angels"--have announced the routes for the 2010 ride, which is scheduled for May 15-22.

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
March 8-12: 29th Annual Mammoth Mountain Emergency Medicine Conference, Mammoth Mountain, CA
April 10: Surviving the IED Response, Greensboro, NC
April 12-14: Beyond the Street: EMS Supervisor Workshop, St. Paul, MN

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com

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.