EMS Tip: Victim Removal from a Swimming Pool

Victim Removal from a Swimming Pool

Jul 27, 2011

By Robert Owens, fireengineering.com

It is a warm summer day; outdoor activities for the citizens of your fire district are in full swing. You’re just finishing some apparatus cleaning when the radio opens….Engine 1, Medic 1 respond to a reported drowning 123 Main St. at Main St. Apartments.

Trauma Survival Better on Weekends

Trauma Survival Better on Weekends

Jul 25, 2011

By Mike McEvoy, EMS Editor, fireengineering.com
 
Survival odds might be better if you’re shot, stabbed or critically injured in a crash on the weekend, according to a study of Pennsylvania trauma system data published in the March 21, 2011 issue of the Archives of Surgery. Critical conditions such as stroke, myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest are associated with poorer outcomes when patients arrive during nights and on weekends. Not so for trauma...CONTINUE READING

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The RedHead Head Immobilizer from Morrison Medical

The RedHead is a lighter-weight and more economic version of the Big Blue reusable head immobilizer, as it is made with a less dense foam interior.The vinyl coated exterior allows for easy disinfecting and use in all weather conditions. 

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Phoenix ambulance stolen from fire scene

Phoenix ambulance stolen from fire scene  

by Laurie Merrill and Luci Scott - Jul. 24, 2011; The Arizona Republic

While firefighters battled a blaze in west Phoenix on Sunday morning, a thief stole an ambulance and wreaked havoc on cars and property, officials say.

Travis Ward, 28, was charged with theft of transportation and felony criminal damage, Phoenix police Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.

"He collided with seven objects, including fences, poles and vehicles," Thompson said.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Norway mass killer jeered on way to court hearing

Norway mass killer jeered on way to court hearing 

By Jon Hemming | Reuters

OSLO (Reuters) - Anders Behring Breivik, who killed at least 93 people in a bomb attack and shooting rampage in Norway, arrived at an Oslo courtroom for a closed custody hearing on Monday to jeers from an angry crowd.

"Get out, get out!" shouted Alexander Roeine, 24, banging on the car he believed had brought Breivik to Oslo District Court. "Everyone here wants him dead," he said, adding that he knew one of the dead and three survivors of Friday's attacks.

According to his lawyer, Breivik had wanted to explain why he perpetrated modern-day Norway's worst peace-time massacre, but a judge ruled that the hearing would be a closed session.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Fire truck lowered into 9/11 Memorial in honor of its lost crew

Fire truck lowered into 9/11 Memorial in honor of its lost crew

By Jordana Ossad, CNN

July 20, 2011 7:17 p.m. EDT

New York (CNN) -- Twelve firefighters from Ladder Company 3 who lost their lives trying to save people at the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, were honored Wednesday in a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Ohio bill would give some medics the right to bear arms

Ohio bill would give some medics the right to bear arms
House Bill 288 would give medics guns only when they went with SWAT teams

By Brandon Glenn
MedCity News

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some Ohio emergency medical technicians could get the right to carry guns under a proposal in the state's legislature.
This seems to be an increasingly hot-button topic among EMTs, who raise the issue as they struggle to cope with rough neighborhoods, threatening onlookers, violent situations, and armed and unstable patients. Skeptics, meanwhile, point out that emergency scenes are cleared first by the police or dispatchers, and adding a gun to the EMT kit would unnecessarily expand the job and risk of emergency workers...CONTINUE READING

Ken Jeong suits up in new Stayin' Alive video to promote Hands-Only CPR

The American Heart Association has enlisted the help of Hangover and NBC's show Community star, Ken Jeong to promote Hands-Only CPR, a simple and easy to remember approach to the life saving emergency procedure that was recently introduced.
Ken Jeong suits up in new Stayin' Alive video to promote Hands-Only CPR. Please visit http://bit.ly/AHACrowdRise for more information.

Fire Academy Program Suspended Amid Cheating Probe I-Team: City EMS Training Program Instructors Reassigned

Fire Academy Program Suspended Amid Cheating Probe
I-Team: City EMS Training Program Instructors Reassigned
Source: wbaltv.com

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore City Fire Academy EMS training program has been suspended pending the outcome of a cheating investigation.The WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team's David Collins said the cheating scandal involves as many as 20 cadets...CONTINUE READING

Back to School & Flu Season Approaching

As children head back to school in the coming months, they may be bringing home more than homework. Schools are often breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Viruses, such as influenza, are easily passed from child to child, who then passes them on to family. Even if you don't have children at home, it's likely that you come in contact with people who do. Regardless, flu season is coming and we are all at risk. Immunization is key to prevention. Contact your local health care provider for more information.

Learn More: Back to School Time: Pencils, Books, and the Flu

Influenza Protection Kits

Morrison Medical offers a variety of influenza protection kits.Customization options: Contents can be altered to meet your specific needs, labels can be personalized with your company name, logo and/or contact information.

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EMS Tip: 5 tips for starting public access defibrillation programs

5 tips for starting public access defibrillation programs 
Having easy-to-use PADs that are quickly accessible by the public increases the probability of delivering life-saving defibrillation sooner
By Jim Sideras; ems1.com

Setting up a successful public access defibrillator (PAD) program should be on the forefront of every fire and EMS agency’s agenda. The American Heart Association notes that for every minute a person is in a cardiac arrest, their survivability decreases by 10 percent. Having easy-to-use PADs that are quickly accessible by the public increases the probability of delivering life-saving defibrillation sooner.
Here are the top five things to consider when starting a PAD program, along with some of the strategies I used to start a PAD program that has grown to more than 1000 PADs over just a few years...CONTINUE READING

Tips for Success in Certification Courses

Tips for Success in Certification Courses

by Greg Friese on July 13, 2011

in EMS Tips

 
CPR, EPC, PHTLS, ACLS, AMLS, PEPP, ITLS, BLS … all of those certification courses. Do you attend certification courses with dread and low energy? Or do you attend to maximize your own learning and preparation for emergencies?

Maximize your success in certification courses with these tips...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

Former N.J. EMT Saves Boy From Burning Car Wreck

Former N.J. EMT Saves Boy From Burning Car Wreck

Joelle Farrell

The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

July 13--Richard Vaughan was headed home from work with his wife Monday evening when he saw smoke rising from a car crashed in the wooded median of Interstate 295 in South Jersey.
The car, a Honda sedan, had been traveling south in Oldmans Township, Salem County, when the driver lost control, State Police said. It veered into the median, hit a tree, and caught fire.

Hurricane Season Preparedness

Hurricane Season Dates
Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1st and ends November 30th.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15th and also ends November 30th.

You should be able to answer the following questions before a hurricane threatens:

• What are the Hurricane Hazards?
• What does it mean to you?
• What actions should you take to be prepared?

Featured Product: Soft Stretchers

SOFT STRETCHERS FROM MORRISON MEDICAL

Available in 3 sizes, Morrison Medical’s Soft Stretchers are specially designed for moving patients of all sizes, up to 2,000 pounds. LEARN MORE HERE

Funeral today for Brownwood firefighter who died at Ballpark

Funeral is Monday for Brownwood firefighter who died at Ballpark

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Shannon Stone, the fan who died in a fall from the stands during Thursday night's Texas Rangers game. CONTINUE READING

Nolan Ryan discusses death: 4th fall in stadium history; 'one of the saddest things I've ever seen'

After criticism, Alameda adds rescue swimmer firefighters

Alameda Has 20 Rescue Swimmer Firefighters

Peter Hegarty - The Oakland Tribune, Calif.

...Twenty Alameda firefighters are now trained as rescue swimmers and an additional 16 are expected to undergo the training, according to interim fire Chief Mike D'Orazi...READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Competing medical-helicopter companies set up in Lancaster area

Tuesday, July 5, 2011  03:07 AM  |  By Suzanne Hoholik  | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

If you need an example of the growth and competition in the medical-helicopter industry, look no further than Fairfield County...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

Featured EMS Tip: Does Your Patient Need A Trauma Center?

Does Your Patient Need A Trauma Center?
Utilizing the CDC's Trauma Triage Guidelines in the Field
From the July 2011 Issue of EMS World

Two years ago, the CDC released a report on the updated triage guidelines. Unfortunately, they have not been actively circulated among all EMS providers, yet they are something all of us must understand and be able to apply.

Featured Product: Patho-Shield® Straps

Patho-Shield® Straps

Morrison Medical’s Patho-Shield® Straps will outlive and outperform your current straps with less maintenance required. Patho-Shield straps are designed to prevent the absorption or penetration of bodily fluids. There is no stitching like with standard cloth and plastic straps. With no exposed fibers, these straps are 100% impervious to bodily fluids, bacteria and viruses – making them quicker and easier to clean than standard straps. The longevity of these straps means fewer replacements over time, saving you money. 

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