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.

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.

Officer urges autism training for first responders

By  Alan Johnson  |  The Columbus Dispatch  |  Friday May 11, 2012

Akron Police Sgt. Mark Farrar knows the facts of autism in his head and the pain of autism in his heart.

With the incidence of autism rising rapidly — 1 in 88 children (and 1 in 54 boys) are born with some form of it — law-enforcement agencies are being affected because, Farrar says, the autistic are seven times as likely as others to come into contact with first responders such as police, fire and paramedics. They also are more likely to be crime victims...

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Morrison Medical stitches up straps, splints, restraints

Morrison Medical stitches up straps, splints, restraints

Mostly female staff keeps emergency personnel and hospitals supplied with straps, splints, restraints, more

By  Steve Wartenberg

The Columbus Dispatch Friday May 11, 2012 5:18 AM

The women of Morrison Medical Supplies learned the sewing trade the old-fashioned way: from their mothers and grandmothers.
“I’ve been sewing since the second grade and was trained by my grandmother,” said Joyce Lucas, 70, who has been working for the manufacturer on the Far West Side for 15 years. “I’ve done it all — shoes, shirts, tents.”

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

CDC Releases Updated Guidelines for the Field Triage of Injured Patients

The following is an excerpt from, "Field Triage: Guidelines for the Field Triage of Injured Patients" (http://www.cdc.gov/fieldtriage/)

In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidance on the field triage process in “Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients, Recommendations of the National Expert Panel on Field Triage” in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

The updated Guidelines, published in the newly released MMWR reflect the results of the Panel’s deliberations and include changes made upon the best available evidence, and incorporate the experiential base that CDC has developed through its close work with states, national organizations, communities, and individual professionals.

The 2011 Guidelines for the Field Triage of the Injured Patient initiative is developed to give EMS leaders and professionals the tools they need to implement and adopt the 2011 Guidelines.
Download the “Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients, Recommendations of the National Expert Panel on Field Triage, 2011 ” in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Seat Belt Push Continues for Responder Safety

Seat Belt Push Continues for Responder Safety
By Susan Nicol  |   EMSWorld.com News

The national fire official who created the National Seat Belt pledge isn't willing to sit idly by and be satisfied with signatures of emergency personnel.


BALTIMORE, MD -- The national fire official who created the National Seat Belt pledge isn't willing to sit idly by and be satisfied with signatures of emergency personnel.

Dr. Burt Clark is currently conducting research on the issue through Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

He outlined his project to graduate students explaining his project "Exploring seat belt use among firefighters: A multiple case study using the Schein model of organizational culture."

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Think Pink: And Purple, Too...

Think Pink: And Purple, Too–October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Hanna Brooks Olson, blisstree.com

During the month of October, women will be reaching out to other women in support and assistance, as they help remind each other to get their mammograms, make donations to charitable foundations together, and send their best wishes to those who have survived (or sadly succumbed t0) breast cancer. But it’s important to remember that, across the country (and the world) this month, there are other women in need, too. October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Each year, upwards of 4 million women and children are abused in their homes by their partners or family members. Domestic violence occurs every 15 seconds, and 1 in 4 women is a victim in her lifetime. 1 in 8 are diagnosed with breast cancer.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

EMT: Metro EMS Workers Too Exhausted To Work Effectively

Flu Vaccines Urged for All Americans: CDC

Flu Vaccines Urged for All Americans: CDC 
By Rachael Rettner | LiveScience.com

...While researchers can't predict exactly what this flu season will hold, "We can say with certainly that the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community is to get a flu shot," Frieden said at a NFID news conference today...Last year, the CDC expanded its recommendation of who should get the flu shot to include everyone 6 months old and older.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE 

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.

CLICK HERE for a listing of Influenza Protection Kits.

BREAKING NEWS: Air race crash 'mass casualty situation'

Official: Air race crash 'mass casualty situation'

By MARTIN GRIFFITH - Associated Press,SCOTT SONNER - Associated Press

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A plane plunged into the stands at an air race event in Reno in what an official described as a "mass casualty situation."

It wasn't immediately known how many people were killed. But video of the crash showed a horrific scene of bodies and wreckage at the front of the stands. CONTINUE READING

9/11 first responders left out of 10th anniversary event

By Claudine Zap | Yahoo! News – Fri, Sep 2, 2011

...The 90,000 or so firefighters, police officers, and civilian volunteers who rushed toward the burning twin towers are not invited to the ceremonies on Sept. 11.

Observances of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 - Find events in your area

9/11 Memorials, Memorial Events, and Remembrances Across the United States

All across the United States, memorial services, remembrances, and monuments will be available on September 11, 2011. Here are some of the more prominent memorials and activities dedicated to the victims of 9/11...

• 9/11 Memorial in New York
• The Pentagon Memorial
• Flight 93 National Memorial
• New York City September 11 Memorial Events
• September 11 Memorial Events Around the Washington, DC Region
• September 11 Memorials - Artists and Architects Honor Victims of Terrorism
• September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance
• Remembering the Women of 9/11

Numerous other 9/11 memorials exist around the country.Check 9/11 Memorial Sites for a list of locations and pictures. The site has a search feature allowing you to find other memorial sites in countries around the world.

Source: about.com (The above information is an excerpt from this page.)

Missouri Medevac Crash Victims Identified

Missouri Medevac Crash Victims Identified
St. Joseph News-Press, Mo. (via emsworld.com)


Aug. 28--The four victims of a fatal LifeNet helicopter crash were identified Saturday while investigators combed the scene looking for clues of what brought down the aircraft.
All four people on board the LifeNet helicopter, which was carrying a patient from Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany, Mo., to Liberty Hospital, were killed in the crash at about 6:45 p.m. Friday.
Continue reading the full story HERE

Final survivor of south tower collapse struggles with scars of 9/11

Remembering 9/11 - An amazing account of escape from the South Tower of the WTC 10 years ago:

Final survivor of south tower collapse struggles with scars of 9/11

By Torrey AndersonSchoepe, Yahoo! News – Fri, Aug 26, 2011

Ron DiFrancesco's voice softens and trails off. He barely finishes his sentences as he recalls his experience on Sept. 11, 2001. He speaks as if it happened yesterday.

"It was a living hell," he says. "I was mere seconds from death. ... I didn't know I was going to get out."

DiFrancesco is believed to be the last person out of the South Tower of the World Trade Center before it collapsed. According to some reports, he was one of only four people to escape from above the 81st floor. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

Hurricane Irene: The aftermath

Hurricane Irene aftermath on Sunday  Source: wjla.com
From North Carolina to Pennsylvania, Hurricane Irene appeared to have fallen short of the doomsday predictions. But with rivers still rising, and roads impassable because of high water and fallen trees, it could be days before the full extent of the damage is known..."I think it's a little strong to say we dodged a bullet. However, it certainly could have turned out worse..."
Read the full article HERE

Hurricane Irene leads to at least 25 deaths

Ambulance crashes into home

Ambulance crashes into home in Randallstown
Source: abc2news.com

RANDALLSTOWN, Md. - One person was hurt after an ambulance crashed into a home...The private ambulance was involved in a crash with another car. The force of the crash sent the ambulance into the nearby home. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Indiana EMT Collapses, Dies on EMS Call

Indiana EMT Collapses, Dies on EMS Call
EMSWorld.com

 

An Indiana EMT suffered an apparent heart attack Wednesday while assisting on a call.
EMT Charles Black, 54 and his partner were assisting another ambulance crew who were transporting a patient home from a hospital, according to a Facebook post.
The original crew was having difficulty getting the patient into his apartment due to his size, and requested Black and his partner to help.

Read more

Wis. program will study whether in-home medics lower ER visits

Wis. program will study whether in-home medics lower ER visits
The pilot program is aimed at people not sick enough to go to a nursing home or have home health care
By Ed Zagorski
Wisconsin State Journal 

BARABOO, Wis. — A new pilot program in Baraboo will examine whether paramedics trained specifically to perform in-home health care can lower the number of people coming into the emergency room and also reduce re-admissions to the hospital. CONTINUE READING

Indiana State Fair reopens with memorial honoring the victims of the stage colapse

Indiana State Fair: We thought we had more time
Source: cbsnews.com

"The fair was reopening Monday but was pausing first to honor and remember the five people killed in the accident. Daniels and others were set to attend the memorial Monday morning at the state fairgrounds. The fair was to reopen afterward."

On tape: Frantic rescue of teen buried in sand

 On tape: Frantic rescue of teen buried in sand

August 4, 2011, CBS/AP 

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - A fire spokeswoman says a teenage boy is in good condition after he was pulled from under about five feet of sand that collapsed on him at Newport Beach.
The dramatic rescue was captured on amateur video.