News

This Week in EMS: Mass Shootings Continue

04/09/2009

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Following last week's news of multiple mass shootings around the country, responders were faced with another major incident last Friday in Binghamton, New York. A gunman blocked the back door of the city's American Civic Association building, entered through the front door and fired on staff and students.

In additional shootings this week, view: 4 Injured, 1 Killed at California Korean Retreat Center and Four Injured in Greek College Shooting.

Italy Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 283

In a major international incident Monday, an earthquake devastated parts of central Italy, leaving hundreds dead and injured and displacing thousands. This was the country's deadliest quake since 1980 with the death toll reportedly reaching 283, including 20 children and teens.

Responders spent days in a desperate rescue operation, digging through the rubble for survivors as aftershocks continued to threaten safety. Follow the article's related links for further details.

News Exclusives:

Vice President: 'You Can Count on Us'

The longtime fire/rescue service advocate received a thunderous ovation when he walked onto the stage at the Congressional Fire Services Institute's annual dinner last week. "Why wouldn't I come?" quipped Vice President Joe Biden, indicating that the annual CFSI dinner will always be on his calendar. Biden said President Obama has already demonstrated his appreciation for responders' courage and dedication. Also see: Deputy Fire Administrator Hits Ground Running.

MCI Feature:

Environmental Health Supports Emergency Response Training

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Ala., recently partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta to create the first Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response (EHTER) course.

In an emergency situation, "Public health can help us plan on things we hadn't thought about, advise us about problems we're facing, and problems we may face in the next 12 hours. Then those events don't become another emergency--they become another part of the operation that needs to be addressed."

Visit www.EMSResponder.com/resources for more on this month's featured topic, MCI response.

Featured Column:

Abdominal Training for EMS II

"Just as technology has changed public safety it has changed exercise science as well," writes EMS fitness expert Bryan Fass. See if your knowledge is up to date for the best exercises to promote strong abdominals and therefore a stronger back and better balance for injury prevention.

Featured Job:

Medics, EMTs and Communications Specialists -- MedCare Medical Services

"We are expanding our services and service area and are recruiting customer-oriented clinical professionals for our Dallas, Texas & Effingham, Illinois operations."

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:

A question

Forum user "Fairyqueen" writes that several years ago she responded to the scene of a toddler hit by a speeding truck. She advised the mother not to view the child's remains because of the extensive and graphic injuries to his head and face.

"Yesterday, the mother contacted my supervisor and stated she wanted an apology from me for not letting her say goodbye to her child. She said that in the years since this happened, she has not had closure. My questions are, (1) should I have let the mother see the child? (2) Should I have to write the letter?"

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

Poll Question:

Has your agency or department ever done anything to prepare for a mass shooting response?

Click above to vote.

Reminders:

EMSResponder.com is now on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

Check out our Twitter feeds at twitter.com/EMSRNews and twitter.com/EMSRTraining. Also visit our LinkedIn group and our Facebook page.

Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:

About Heather Caspi, EMSResponder.com Editor-in-Chief
Heather Caspi has been a public safety journalist since 2000, beginning as a reporter for sister site Firehouse.com. She later became the assistant news editor for Firehouse.com and Officer.com, and led the launch of EMSResponder.com in 2005. She graduated from the University of Maryland with degrees in Journalism and English Language and Literature, and earned her EMT-B at Merritt College in Oakland, California. She can be reached at Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.