Association Update: December 2021

140,000+ Kids Lost Parents to COVID

One U.S. child loses a parent or caregiver for every four COVID-19-associated deaths, a new modeling study published in Pediatrics reveals. The findings illustrate orphanhood as a hidden and ongoing secondary tragedy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes that identifying and caring for these children throughout their development is a necessary and urgent part of the pandemic response—as long as the pandemic continues and beyond.

From April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, data suggest that more than 140,000 children under age 18 in the United States lost a parent, custodial grandparent, or grandparent caregiver who provided the child’s home and basic needs. Overall, the study shows that approximately 1 out of 500 children in the United States has experienced COVID-19-associated orphanhood or death of a grandparent caregiver. There were racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in COVID-19-associated death of caregivers: Children of racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 65% of those who lost a primary caregiver due to the pandemic.

—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National EMS Advisory Council Members Appointed

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg recently appointed 15 new members and 10 returning members to serve on the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC). The members will provide advice and recommendations regarding EMS to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the Department of Transportation and to the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS. Find a list of NEMSAC members and their bios on the NEMSAC page on EMS.gov. 

Established in 2007, NEMSAC consists of 25 members of the EMS community who represent different aspects of the industry to advise NHTSA on EMS issues. Members are appointed by the Secretary of Transportation for two-year terms. 

NEMSAC conducts its work within six working committees: Adaptability & Innovation, Equitable Patient Care, Integration & Technology, Preparedness & Education, Profession Safety, and Sustainability & Efficiency, These committees provide updates and recommendations at public meetings throughout the year.

—NHTSA Office of EMS

NEMSPA Names 2021 Pilot of the Year

The National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) announced the selection of Air Methods’ Ryan Fretz, with the ARCH Program in Illinois, as its 2021 Pilot of the Year.  

“Ryan was selected as this year’s nominee who best fit our description of a pilot who goes the extra mile,” said NEMSPA President Miles Dunagan. “He always makes safety a priority and is committed to get everyone home safely at the end of each shift.”

The National EMS Pilots Association strives to help the air medical transport industry prosper safely and enhance the delivery of prehospital healthcare by providing its leadership the necessary skills to establish standards of operational safety and a forum for the dissemination of knowledge. This organization continues to be a major advocate for positive change for our industry.

ARCH has been committed to providing essential and lifesaving services to the Missouri and Illinois region for more than 40 years. Established in 1979 by St. Louis University (SLU) Medical Center staffers, it was acquired by Air Methods in 2000. The program is a full-service air medical transport provider accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). 

—National EMS Pilots Association

IAFC, NVFC Update Cancer Report

The International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have released an update to the Lavender Ribbon Report that provides 11 best practices for reducing exposure risks and preventing occupationally caused cancer in firefighters. The new Lavender Ribbon Report Update includes additional information, essays, articles, research, and ideas to implement best practices successfully. 

Cancer is a leading health risk facing firefighters, primarily due to the chemicals and carcinogens they are exposed to while on the job. In 2018 VCOS and the NVFC released the original Lavender Ribbon Report to provide specific actions firefighters can take to protect themselves and their team from these risks. The Lavender Ribbon Report Update takes things a step further by sharing personal stories, examples of how departments are implementing the best practices, and other information to reinforce the actions firefighters need to take to lessen their exposure risks.

“The risks we face aren’t going anywhere, and we can’t remain stagnant in addressing this critical health and safety issue,” said Chief Brian McQueen, chair of the NVFC’s cancer subcommittee and coauthor of both the Lavender Ribbon Report and the Lavender Ribbon Report Update. “This new release will equip firefighters with further tools and knowledge so they can successfully implement the best practices, along with motivation for why it is so urgent that we take action now.”

Download the Lavender Ribbon Report Update on the National Volunteer Fire Council website at nvfc.org/lrr or the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section website at vcos.org/beatffcancer.

—International Association of Fire Chiefs