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This Week in EMS: D.C. Metro Crash Response
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A Metro Crash Revelation: Progress on Preparedness
There was one good piece of news to emerge from Monday's horrific Metro crash on the Red Line: The response to the tragedy demonstrated that an increased focus on local and regional preparedness after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has better prepared the Washington area for the full range of unexpected emergencies that can strike a region.
'A Real Eye-Opener': Minnesota Legislators Ride Along to See EMS Up Close
As executive director of Lakes Region EMS in North Branch, MN, and an active member of the Minnesota Ambulance Association, Aarron Reinert, NREMT-P, BA, spends a good deal of time at the State Capitol. This is where he came to realize that many legislators have little to no understanding of what EMS is or does.
"The question we've heard for years is, 'Aren't you guys ambulance drivers?'," Reinert says. "Without the knowledge of who and what we are, it was hard to talk to them about things like tort reform or reimbursement. So as we were trying to figure out how to bridge that gap, we thought, 'Why not have them come ride with us?'"
Missouri Passes Responder Benefits Bill
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has signed a bill to benefit the families of Missouri emergency personnel killed in the line of duty. House Bill 580, which establishes the Line of Duty Compensation Act, allows a claim to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation on behalf of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, air ambulance pilot or air ambulance registered nurse for a benefit of $25,000.
The bill contained an emergency clause, meaning the law took effect upon the Governor's signature. Any benefits paid under the new law are in addition to any other benefit to which the claimant might otherwise be entitled.
Industry News:
Sharing Billing Resources is Key in Rural North Dakota
When the North Dakota Department of Health realized that a lot of EMS agencies weren't billing for ambulance calls, they came up with a pilot project to offer free billing to 12 services.
Featured Podcast:
Helicopter EMS Safety
Air medical safety expert Bryan Bledsoe, DO, FACEP, EMT-P provides news and views on current efforts to improve helicopter EMS safety following the tragic spike last year in crashes and fatalities. Listen to Air Medical Safety Update to find out the latest updates on helicopter EMS safety.
For additional content on air medical issues, see Flight Plans.
Online Exclusive:
Fostering and maintaining good working relationships with other public-safety agencies is vital to the service we provide. Can you imagine treating a vehicle trauma victim alongside the freeway if the police weren't willing to control traffic? In this EMS Magazine online exclusive, author Dominick Swinhart describes six areas where interagency conflict can arise in public safety, and how to avoid it.
Featured Job:
Program Coordinator - UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
The UCLA Center for Prehospital Care is just one of three centers of its kind in the nation, and the leading emergency and prehospital academic center on the West Coast. Through the UCLA EMT Programs, over 1,000 students are educated each year. The Center is currently seeking a full-time EMT Program Coordinator.
Click above for details and visit www.EMSResponder.com/jobs for additional listings.
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Featured Forum Thread:
lifevsdeathuk asks: What healthcare reforms should EMS wish for?
Follow the link to read more, or browse other topics at www.emsresponder.com/forums.
Poll Question:
As a follow-up to Safety Week, we ask our readers: Have you ever lost a colleague in the line of duty?
Reminders:
Announcing the Robert G. Nixon Memorial Foundation EMS EXPO Scholarship
The Robert G. Nixon Memorial Foundation was created to provide access to educational opportunities for deserving EMS professionals. The deadline for applications is August 3.
SafetyCare Accepting Nominations to Honor Extraordinary EMT with Annual Award
SafetyCare, a national leader in Personal Emergency Response Systems, is seeking nominees for the third-annual Jack and Rosemary Gulati SafetyCare Awards. Deadline for nominations is July 31.
EMS EXPO Announces Photo Contest for 2009
For the second year, EMS EXPO is looking for photos of EMS/rescue/fire professionals in the field, at training events or in the workplace. Photos must be received by September 18, 2009.
Other top headlines this week on EMSResponder.com:
- Michael Jackson Dies Following Cardiac Arrest
- Pennsylvania Official Hurt in Crash
- Rough Reputations Revealed in Trooper, Medic Struggle
- U.S. Docs Save Child Burned with Controversial Chemical
- North Carolina CPR Instructor, Students Save Victim
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.
