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This Week in EMS: A Recap for May 26 - June 1 2007
In keeping with this week's Memorial Day observance, the 15th annual National EMS Memorial Service was the top exclusive news feature this week on EMSResponder.com.
As speaker Mary Beth Michos, chief of Prince William County, Va. Fire and Rescue told memorial attendees, "The people we honor here tonight gave their lives for their country and fellow man too."
Sixteen EMS providers were remembered for making the supreme sacrifice at this year's event. To read about those honored, and about the messages of safety shared by Michos, visit EMS Heroes Honored at Memorial Service.
Also at the Roanoke, Va. Memorial event last weekend, was the conclusion of the EMS Memorial Bike Ride. The riders started out in two groups, one in New York and the other in Kentucky, with each group riding hundreds of miles to honor fallen EMS personnel.
EMSResponder.com senior writer Susan Nicol Kyle was there for the riders' arrival, and spoke to them about who they each rode to honor. For more on this event and the inspiration behind these riders, visit EMS Memorial Bike Riders Cross Finish Line.
In the continued media scrutiny of problems in California's EMS system, it was revealed this week that an EMT with a history of stalking and arrests continues to work for the San Francisco Fire Department because legal loopholes prevent his removal.
The EMT has been arrested for child sexual abuse, indecent exposure, spouse battering and vandalism, and has had three women apply for restraining orders against him.
The Sacramento Bee reports that the state does not have the authority to intervene, and is the only state lacking this power. (There is now legislation pending to allow the state to take over EMT licensing and require mandatory background checks.)
The fire department reports that it can't remove the EMT because his certification came from a different agency, and because the charges against him arise from off-duty activities. To read more about this legal quagmire and how rescue officials at the EMT's station are handling the situation, visit Arrests Fail to Sideline California EMT.
New on EMSResponder.com
New features on the site this week included the latest EMS editorial cartoon by rescuer/artist Paul Combs, Over Cautious EMT.
Also this week was the release of a new training column by Greg Friese, National Stroke Awareness Month: May 2007. This column includes an engaging, interactive supplement on stroke care from RapidCE.com, where you can go for additional stroke information and CE training. Please let us know if you are interested in seeing more interactive features like this on EMSResponder.com! E-mail the website editor at Heather.Caspi@cygnusb2b.com.
Reminders:
As we head from May into June, remember that June is Home Safety Month, sponsored by the Home Safety Council. This year's theme is "Hands on Home Safety," which asks the public to take some simple hands-on steps to create a safer home environment from hazards as falls, fires and burns, and poisonings. Visit the program website for program materials to help families with proper home safety practices.
June will also include the International Fire Fighter and EMS Safety Stand Down, sponsored by the IAFC and the IAFF. This year's event will be held June 17-23, and is designed to help rescuers focus on proper training, preparation and equipage before a call, and to promote the philosophy that all responders can return home safely, every time. Visit the program website for further information, and watch EMSResponder.com for an upcoming reference page for EMS safety articles to supplement your safety observance during this time.
Awards
Nominations are being accepted for EMS Magazine's 22nd Annual EMT/Paramedic of the Year Award, sponsored by Braun Industries and ZOLL Medical Corporation. Nominations must be received by July 2, 2007. For full contest rules and instructions please visit www.emsresponder.com/paramedic.
EMS Magazine is also accepting nominations for the 2007 EMS Magazine/National Association of EMTs Gold Service Award. For contest rules and to submit nominations, go to www.emsresponder.com/goldaward. Nominations must be received by August 1, 2007.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com: