Tuesday, September 27, 2011

9/27/11

Ambulance Crash Log
Longview firefighter on leave after ambulance damages parked cars - Texas
Zackary said the firefighter - whose name has not been released - was responding to the call in one of the city's new ambulances, which has a "different parking procedure than the other ambulances."

Sep 27, 2011, 5:37:38 PM

Ambulance Crash Log
Ambulance Carrying Patient Crashes - Tennessee
An ambulance carrying a critically ill person was in a crash Sunday afternoon.

Sep 27, 2011, 5:32:07 PM

Ambulance Crash Log
Patient dies after ambulance crash - Virginia
Several Hampton medics suffered injuries and a patient died after an SUV hit and overturned an ambulance Saturday night.

Sep 27, 2011, 5:22:20 PM

Criminal
Ex-treasurer of EMS charged - North Carolina
Edward Edgar Fuller Sr., 55, of Raleigh was arrested Thursday and charged with felony embezzlement.

Sep 27, 2011, 5:04:53 PM

Criminal
Former ambulance service owner trial restarted - Ohio
The trial of a former ambulance service owner is underway again.

Sep 27, 2011, 5:03:47 PM

Legal
Pinellas County seeks change in state law for EMS funding - Florida
Under current law, the county must provide enough money to make sure that the level of service does not fall below that which existed in 1989, when the statute was passed, without consent of the fire districts that provide EMS service.

Sep 27, 2011, 5:02:47 PM

Legal
Family sues after asthmatic boy sent to 3 hospitals in 11 hours - Illinois
The minutes ticked on as the ambulance fought through rush-hour, 4 p.m. traffic and construction.
“I . . . am . . . tired . . . of . . . breathing,” the asthmatic boy gasped, taking breaths between each word, according to a nurse’s report.


Sep 27, 2011, 5:02:29 PM

Canada
Paramedics in fatal crash receive praise - Canada
A pair of Renfrew County paramedics were praised Sunday for their efforts to save two people who crashed into their ambulance.


Sep 27, 2011, 5:00:08 PM

Job Listings
Alaska: EMS State Data Manager
The EMS Data Program Manager position has been posted in Workplace Alaska. The recruitment will close on Friday, October 7th at 5:00 pm.

Sep 27, 2011, 4:57:13 PM

Job Listings
Alaska: EMS State Training Coordinator


Sep 27, 2011, 4:56:00 PM

America
Union Pushes For Firefighters To Handle EMS - Louisiana
With more than 400 members in 33 station houses across the city, the New Orleans Fire Department touts its ability to battle blazes, and now, it's saying firefighters also want to handle all of the city's emergency calls.

Sep 27, 2011, 4:54:00 PM

America
Mishandled 911 call, delayed ambulance response after cyclist crashes - Massachusetts
A State Police emergency dispatcher mishandled a recent 911 call and a Boston ambulance subsequently took more than twice the average time to reach an injured cyclist

Sep 27, 2011, 4:53:43 PM

America
Council: Replace retiring firefighters with EMTS - New Jersey


Sep 27, 2011, 4:46:49 PM

America
Helmet-cam captures rescue - California
A Sheriff's Department helmet-cam look at this weekend's rescue of a man who suffered head injuries falling into steep Monkey Canyon in the Angeles National Forest.

Sep 27, 2011, 4:45:12 PM

America
Local EMS Squads Seek Grants - New Jersey
Each grant comes with a township match, which several committee members were concerned about.

Sep 27, 2011, 4:42:09 PM

America
CFD not billing for some ambulance service? - Illinois
The Chicago Fire Department may be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and tying up ambulances by administering free medication to patients with diabetes and asthma who then refuse to be taken to the hospital.

Sep 27, 2011, 4:41:17 PM

America
Bountiful's ambulance up in smoke - Utah
Firefighters at South Davis Metro Fire didn't have to go far to fight a fire that started in their own fire station Monday night.

Sep 27, 2011, 4:39:38 PM

Awards-Honors
Paramedics honored for treating driver who hit ambulance - Georgia
All the evidence that remains is broken windshield glass, metal and part of a side mirror from a small car. However, the memory of the crash that happened here is still fresh on the mind.

Sep 27, 2011, 4:35:26 PM

Medevac
Emergency copter’s inaugural flight test drive for personnel - Hawaii
The firefighters, emergency medical technicians and hospital staff were there for a briefing and training on how to quickly transfer patients from the helipad to Maui Memorial's emergency room.

Sep 27, 2011, 3:44:01 PM

Saturday, September 24, 2011

9/24/11

Features
Orthodox women want co-ed ambulances - New York
Their plan is to have female emergency medical technicians, and possibly paramedics as well, available to assist in cases where residents who call Hatzalah request a woman for an obstetric or gynecological emergency. They would not routinely respond to any other medical calls, and would not be dispatched by 911 operators—except possibly in major disasters.

Sep 24, 2011, 9:43:37 PM

Ambulance Crash Log
Teen Hit By School Bus, Ambulance Crashes on Way to Get Him - New Jersey
Capt. Tim Storbeck says the 15-year-old sophomore at West Milford High School was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Sep 24, 2011, 9:03:21 PM

America
Southampton Ambulance Districts Eager To Look At Third-Party Billing - New York
Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance and the Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance companies told Town Board members that through third-party billing, or asking health insurance companies to pay for ambulance services, districts could offset operating costs, and by extension, lower the amount district residents pay in property taxes.

Sep 24, 2011, 8:59:54 PM

America
Alton Fire Department to limit EMS runs - Illinois
"We have to make cutbacks in non-essential runs," Mayor Tom Hoechst said. "We are making 2,600 to 2,800 calls per year, which is eight or nine a day. I don't think we should be going on all of these calls. There is wear and tear on the trucks, and fuel is at close to an all-time high. This will be a cost-reduction strategy. My goal is that this is a fire department, first and foremost. People have abused it (EMS)."

Sep 24, 2011, 8:57:31 PM

America
Lt. Gov. Simon creating panel to improve EMS access - Illinois
Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is now accepting applications for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) subcommittee of the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council (GRAC), which will work to improve EMS services throughout rural Illinois.

Sep 24, 2011, 8:56:25 PM

America
Burke: Privatize ambulance fees to cut $50 million in unpaid bills annually - Illinois
The City Council’s most powerful alderman suggested Friday that Chicago privatize the collection of city ambulance fees to raise a dismal 37.5 percent collection rate that has created a $50 million-a-year debt.

Sep 24, 2011, 8:55:06 PM

America
Hub firefighters quit after failed EMT test - Massachusetts
But the firefighters union has gone to court to contest the resignations, arguing that the Fire Department has never before enforced a requirement that new hires earn a state EMT certification their first year on the job.

Sep 24, 2011, 8:50:13 PM

Human Interest
The little blue ambulance helped on big tragic day - New Jersey
The team raced to the Meadowlands where about 500 ambulances were gathered. The command selected 50 to go into New York City, and as Regen recalled, "Yes, the little blue ambulance from Mine Hill was one of them."

Sep 24, 2011, 8:40:16 PM

Medevac
At a moment's notice, they're up and away, rescuing the lost or hurt - California
Uncertain of exactly where the caller was, the Sheriff's Office did what it has done many times before: It radioed Calstar 6 – the non-profit rescue and air transport helicopter service

Sep 24, 2011, 8:37:35 PM

World
VIDEO: Ambulance Breaks Down on Run to Pick Up Woman in Labor. Baby Dies - GuamVIDEO: Ambulance Breaks Down on Run to Pick Up Woman in Labor. Baby Dies - Guam
The 17 year old teen gave birth to a premature baby boy, before another ambulance arrived.

Sep 24, 2011, 8:01:36 PM

Friday, September 23, 2011

9/23/11

Public Affairs: Matt Zavadsky, Senior Editor
AAA Government Affairs E-Update 9-21-11


Sep 22, 2011, 4:17:37 AM

Ambulance Crash Log
Ambulance driver cited in Caln crash - Pennsylvania
State police cited an ambulance driver after the vehicle overturned, injuring the driver and one passenger Wednesday morning.

Sep 23, 2011, 11:11:50 PM

Legal
Law gives flexibility on staffing ambulances - Ohio
A new Ohio law allows ambulances to head to emergency scenes with only one certified paramedic or emergency medical technician on board — namely, the driver.

Sep 23, 2011, 11:07:26 PM

Bodily Assault Log
McAlester man charged with assaulting EMT - Oklahoma
A McAlester man was charged in Pittsburg County District Court on Sept. 13 with assaulting emergency medical staff, according to court records.

Sep 23, 2011, 11:05:21 PM

Criminal
Pasco paramedic accused of pointing gun in fight over dogs - Florida
Joseph M. Lopardo, 46, allegedly brawled with a man Tuesday night during a disagreement about their dogs, according to a Pasco County Sheriff's Office report

Sep 23, 2011, 11:04:06 PM

Human Interest
Murals depict EMTs and firefighters, then and now - Connecticut
Volunteer EMT Pat Loftus said those in the firehouse had wanted something to fill wall space in their meeting room. “We wanted something to depict our history,” said Loftus. “We have wonderful photographs and scrapbooks, but those are not things you can leave on display.”

Sep 23, 2011, 11:02:07 PM

Human Interest
Brooklyn Boy Sworn In As "Junior EMT" After Saving Mother's Life - New York
Drew and his family were joined at the swearing-in by the EMS members who took the call and those who responded after his mother had a seizure in their East New York home Wednesday.

Sep 23, 2011, 11:00:25 PM

America
EMSA chief asks House panel to extend Medicare payments - Oklahoma
Emergency Medical Services Authority President Stephen Williamson implored a key House panel Wednesday to extend Medicare provider payments that are scheduled to expire later this year for ambulance services.

Sep 23, 2011, 10:56:45 PM

America
EMS director must be hired by county exec - Tennessee
County commissioners were notified Monday night Tennessee law does not allow them to take applications or interview candidates for the position of White County Emergency Medical Services director.

Sep 23, 2011, 10:53:30 PM

America
Red Cross will give town Island ambulance corps - New York
The town will acquire the squad’s Manwaring Road garage and office, three ambulances, all medical equipment and supplies as well as an existing cash fund balance that is restricted to capital expenditures. Supervisor Dougherty said the fund “seems close to $200,000” but the number was “unconfirmed.”

Sep 23, 2011, 10:48:39 PM

America
Tri town members agree to change in management - Massachusetts
Selectmen from West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah last week agreed in principal to reconfigure the management structure of the Tri-Town ambulance service, which serves the three up-Island towns.

Sep 23, 2011, 10:47:19 PM

America
Morgan County Ambulance Service to help cover Logan County - Colorado
Although the Logan County commissioners could not come to an agreement with their former ambulance provider last week, that will not affect Morgan County -- even though Morgan County ambulances are providing the service now.

Sep 23, 2011, 10:44:24 PM

America
L.A. firefighters in hot water over fire trucks in porn movies - California
This is the second city department this year where employees have been investigated for alleged involvement in porn movies while on duty.

Sep 23, 2011, 10:43:06 PM

Canada
Ambulance crashes with BMW - Canada
One paramedic was also sent to hospital to be assessed.

Sep 23, 2011, 10:30:34 PM

Canada
Faceoff over ambulance service at Jets games - Canada
AS the Winnipeg Jets prepared Tuesday evening to play their first home game in 15 years, the union representing city paramedics faced off against a private ambulance service over the right to transport injured hockey players from the MTS Centre.

Sep 23, 2011, 10:30:33 PM

Awards-Honors
Loyal EMS Workers Honored - Wisconsin
Honors were awarded tonight to some Loyal first responders responsible for saving the life of one of their own.

Sep 23, 2011, 8:58:07 PM

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

9/21/11

America
#Silence: Fire and EMS Twitter Feed to be "Filtered" - Washington DC
Mayor Vince Gray's bi-weekly press conference was derailed today over concerns that his administration was backtracking on promises of transparency by encrypting police radio communications and limiting the use of the popular D.C. Fire/EMS Twitter account.

Sep 21, 2011, 3:09:04 PM

America
EMS to make flu shot mandatory for workers - California
Keeping in mind employee health and patient safety, the Callaway County Ambulance District Board of Directors agreed to the creation of a new policy that would require all district employees to receive the flu vaccination.

Sep 21, 2011, 3:07:17 PM

America
Great Falls emergency ambulance rides increase to $1,000 - Montana
The cost of ambulance rides requiring basic but not advanced life support will rise from $695 to $849, a 22.2 percent increase.

Sep 21, 2011, 3:04:19 PM

America
How CEOs Are Engaging EMS to Help Reduce Costs
"The people that are bringing you patients every day, into your doors, have a direct impact on what happens when they enter your doors," Christopher Montera, chief of the Colorado's Western Eagle County Ambulance District (WECAD), said in an interview. "As a CEO it can be impactful to invite those people to the table."

Sep 21, 2011, 3:02:56 PM

America
Nixa man wants audit of Christian County Ambulance District - Missouri
Nixa resident Bob Rubino said he's spearheading the drive to have State Auditor Tom Schweich's office audit the district over concerns about how the district is spending taxpayer money.

Sep 21, 2011, 2:50:40 PM

America
Free ambulance service to cease in Lambertville - New Jersey
For 87 years, area residents had free ambulance service to area hospitals. That will change Oct. 1 when the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance & Rescue Squad starts billing for transport.

Sep 21, 2011, 2:47:11 PM

America
Tavares may look into adding paramedics - Florida
The city's Fire Department may begin to explore opportunities to offer a more sophisticated response to emergencies that is in line with its neighboring Lake County municipalities.

Sep 21, 2011, 2:46:05 PM

America
Towns look to cut ambulance costs; Nonprofit could become municipal - New Hampshire
Tri-Town Ambulance, a nonprofit that has served Allenstown and Pembroke for more than three decades, could soon become an inter-municipal organization, a move town officials say would save money and provide further stability for the company.

Sep 21, 2011, 2:44:36 PM

America
Leasing EMT SUVs a new step for Rockford - Illinois
Two would be used for general operations. The other two would be deemed alternative response vehicles to get paramedics and emergency medical technicians to emergencies, rather than using a firetruck.

Sep 21, 2011, 2:43:33 PM

America
Group backs national ambulance service to serve Nashua - New Hampshire
The Ambulance Advisory Committee, which includes Fire Chief Brian Morrissey and Police Chief Donald Conley, chose American Medical Response over two local companies that bid on the contract.

Sep 21, 2011, 2:42:40 PM

America
Waterville approves Delta Ambulance request - Maine
The unanimous vote followed a public hearing on the request. Delta had to apply to the Finance Authority of Maine, which provides tax-exempt financing. The city’s backing the bond does not obligate the city in any way financially.

Sep 21, 2011, 2:40:23 PM

Criminal
Former EMT pleads not guilty to Fairfield arsons - Connecticut
Message, 34, a former EMT and volunteer firefighter, pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree arson, two counts of first-degree burglary and one count each of third-degree arson and third-degree burglary.

Sep 21, 2011, 2:39:31 PM

Criminal
Fire Chief May Have Been Killed Over Job Application - Oklahoma
Mustang police said they could not rule out that a killer upset over a job application was looking for Oklahoma City Fire Chief Keith Bryant instead of Bryan. The two men live only miles apart and have nearly identical names.


Sep 21, 2011, 2:39:30 PM

Human Interest
Fallon paramedics assist with Reno Air Race crash - Nevada
While Reno area paramedics and other first-responders were assisting spectators injured at the Reno Air Races on Friday, other paramedics from outside Washoe County also responded to aid with the mass-casualty incident, the worst in the event's history.

Sep 21, 2011, 12:41:22 PM

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

9/20/11

Bodily Assault Log
Police Arrest Suspect Accused of Shooting at Police, EMS - Ilinois
Crews were treating a shooting victim at the time.

Sep 20, 2011, 1:59:19 PM

Legal
Ambulance provider files claim against San Diego - California
Rural/Metro Corp., San Diego’s private ambulance contractor, has accused the city of improper and intentional misconduct for threatening litigation and then dissolving a 14-year ambulance partnership earlier this year, according to a claim filed by the company.

Sep 20, 2011, 1:44:42 PM

America
Martin County LifeStar helicopter makes emergency landing while carrying stabbing victim - Florida
The pilot took off, headed to St. Mary's. But at 10:05 a.m., after just moments in the air, the pilot notified the on-scene engine crew that they had smoke in the cockpit and were declaring an emergency.

Sep 20, 2011, 1:04:18 PM

America
Tulsa Ambulance Service works with Youth Services for Safe Place Program - Oklahoma
Each of EMSA’s Tulsa ambulances will be an official Safe Place site in Tulsa, Bixby, Jenks and Sand Springs. EMSA will be one of the first large ambulance providers in the nation to be a Safe Place site.

Sep 20, 2011, 12:55:18 PM

America
Nashville paramedic suspended after anti-gay Facebook post - Tennessee
The department was notified on Aug. 3 that Kennedy stated on his Facebook page and on a Nashville Fire Department Emergency Medical Services page that two EMS workers were “queers” and that they should “crawl back into the closet,” said Deputy Chief Kim Lawson, spokeswoman for the department.

Sep 20, 2011, 12:53:07 PM

America
EMS Public Hearing Focused on Ambulance Company, Paramedic Service - Connecticut
The focus of the hearing was to garner public reaction on the borough’s ambulance service, something that fell under scrutiny this summer when Naugatuck Ambulance Inc. made public a proposal to no longer staff a full-time paramedic at its Rubber Avenue office.

Sep 20, 2011, 12:51:47 PM

America
Oak Creek Faces Loss of Paramedics Funding - Wisconsin
The impact of Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's proposal to cut paramedic funding to municipalities would certainly be felt in Oak Creek.

Sep 20, 2011, 12:50:31 PM

America
Concerned Citizens Crowd Cedar County Ambulance District Meeting - Missouri
Some concerned citizens in Cedar County are furious, saying the Cedar County Ambulance District Board refused to answer their questions about a new contract.

Sep 20, 2011, 12:49:32 PM

America
Eugene EMS Could Soon Charge Out-of-Towners - Oregon
The department is asking the City of Eugene to pass an ordinance that would charge a person if he or she gets in a crash and isn't from Eugene, Springfield, or a member of the city's Fire Med program.

Sep 20, 2011, 12:48:33 PM

America
Warren looking at EMS service - Ohio
"EMS in Warren is broken, and it has been broken for some time,'' Warren assistant fire chief Orneil Heller said Monday. ''I really believe that the citizens of Warren deserve better. Half of them don't even know how broken it is."

Sep 20, 2011, 12:47:44 PM

America
Bannock County Gets New Off Road Ambulance - Idaho
A few decades ago, Bannock Memorial brought us the first air ambulance and today the Portneuf Healthcare Foundation is bringing us a new way of transporting patients.

Sep 20, 2011, 12:46:18 PM

America
City rejects second ambulance service - California
Riverside officials on Monday debated whether the city needs more than one ambulance service, but for now, they won't allow a second provider.

Sep 20, 2011, 12:43:53 PM

Canada
Peter Kuitenbrouwer: Fire, EMS, can all just get along - Canada
Ontario - The paramedics, in fact, have dodged a bullet: for now. The Executive Committee is likely to vote Tuesday on plans to cut transit service, garbage tags, the Christmas Bureau and community grants, and sell the Toronto Zoo and Riverdale Farms. But not EMS.

Sep 20, 2011, 11:57:05 AM