Psychological First Aid for First Responders

First responders are often the first to console victims or witnesses on a scene. EMS providers must always be prepared to meet victims in shock or distress as a result of fear, uncertainty and intense emotion. Here are a few psychological first aid tips to help properly manage the emotions of distressed individuals and continue to promote safety on site:

Promote Safety

·       Help people meet basic needs for food and shelter, and obtain emergency medical attention

·       Provide repeated, simple and accurate information on how to get these basic needs

Promote Calm:

·       Listen to people who wish to share their stories and emotions and remember there is no right or wrong way to feel

·       Be friendly and compassionate even if people are being difficult

·       Offer accurate information about the disaster or trauma and the relief efforts underway to help victims understand the situation

Promote Connectedness:

·       Help people contact friends and loved ones

·       Keep families together; keep children with parents or other close relatives whenever possible

To read more about first responder psychological first aid, read the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services brochure, “Psychological First Aid for First Responders, Tips for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers.” store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/NMH05.../NMH05-0210.pdf

*Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services brochure, “Psychological First Aid for First Responders, Tips for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers.” store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/NMH05.../NMH05-0210.pdf

Upcoming EMS Events

Upcoming EMS Events

2013 People in Health Care
Type: Conference/Expo
Date: 01/30/2013 - 01/31/2013
Location: Houston, TX
Web site: http://the-tma.org/healthcare/

27th Annual Working Together Emergency Services Midwest Conference & Exposition
Type: Conference/Expo
Date: 01/30/2013 - 02/02/2013
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Web site: http://www.wisconsinems.com

Firehouse World Exposition & Conference
Type: Conference/Expo
Date: 02/19/2013 - 02/21/2013
Location: San Diego, CA
Web site: http://firehouseworld.com

EMS Tip: Brush up on the treatment of patients with thoracic injuries

How to Recognize & Treat the 12 Types of Thoracic Injuries

Source: Jems.com
Glen Tinkoff, MD | Mark Cipolle, MD, PhD | Michael Rhodes, MD | From the September 2012 Issue | Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Learning Objectives
>> Recognize the “deadly dozen” thoracic injuries.
>> Understand the importance of the mechanism and location of injury.
>> Be able to identify the key features of a good assessment of chest injury.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

Heat Related Illness - What you need to know

This summer is turning out to be one of the hottest summers on record, increasing incidents of heat related illness. Already a serious issue in summers without heat waves, it is even more important to be aware and prepared for the magnified risk we face this year.

Here's some helpful information on how heat affects us, who is at risk, and how to prepare for and treat heat related illness.

EMS tips for responding to violent patients

EMS tips for responding to violent patients
Restraint errors to avoid and ways to ensure provider safety


By Steve Whitehead, TheEMTspot.com (via ems1.com)

Don't scream, "calm down"
I'm not sure why there always seems to be one guy (yes, it's usually a guy) who thinks it will be helpful to scream, "calm down!" at the patient. This never, never, never works. Really. Resist the urge to be the calm down guy. It's usually the guy screaming "calm down" who needs to calm down the most.
Instead of doing this, just speak in a calm voice to the patient, even during a take-down. Find the person who's the coolest cucumber in your group and place him or her near the head to just keep a dialogue going....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

Upcoming EMS Events

National EMS Memorial Bike Ride
Saturday, May 19, 2012 - Saturday, May 26, 2012
From Boston, MA or Paintsville, KY to Washington, DC, US
http://www.muddyangels.com/


National EMS Week 2012
May 20 - May 26
http://www.acep.org/emsweek/


2012 California EMSAAC Conference
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 8:00am - Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - 5:00pm
http://emsaac.org


National EMS Memorial Service
Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 6:00pm
Colorado Springs, CO
http://nemsms.org


Ohio Fire Rescue & EMS Expo
October 6–7, 2012
John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio
http://ohiofireexpo.com/


EMS World Expo
October 29-November 2 2012
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, LA
http://emsworldexpo.com/


Northern Virginia Fire Rescue & EMS Expo
December 1-2, 2012
Dulles Expo Center
Chantilly, VA
http://northernvirginiaexpo.com/

National EMS Week 2012

National EMS Week 2012 is May 20 - May 26
Wednesday, May 23 is Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day.
This year's theme is "EMS:  More Than A Job. A Calling."

National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line." This information can be used throughout the year for public education and safety programs. CLICK HERE to learn more about National EMS Week.