For this EMS1 article, Lessons to apply: Welfare check incident became a LODD, I asked these EMS leaders for their best tips and advice for conducting welfare checks: Chad Pore Mike Taigman Gina Perschau-Becker Marc Bashoor Welfare checks are resource intensive responses (police officer, engine company, ambulance crew) which often result in an unsatisfactory outcome, such […]
EMS belongs in the warm zone Florida officials and anonymous first responders are disputing if paramedics were blocked from entering the Parkland high school scene, delayed from caring for victims or simply doing what they had been trained and ordered to do. “What’s going to come out is, in the communications on several circumstances, there […]
1. SpaceX launched a really, really big rocket In one of my favorite Simpson’s episodes Homer bemoans another boring space launch. Unlike Homer I am fascinated watching the recent SpaceX launches streamed live from Florida, Texas or Orlando. Even more amazing to me is the booster rockets gliding/falling back to earth and then landing upright […]
1. Active Shooter NFPA Standard 3000 NFPA 3000, Standard for Preparedness and Response to Active Shooter and/or Hostile Events, gives guidance on active shooter or active threat preparedness and response (EMS1.com). “Hostile events are happening with greater frequency and ferocity today. It’s critical that we take steps to protect people from this increasing threat,” NFPA president […]
1. Executive Time is for Learning Axios reported that a large portion of President Trump’s schedule is devoted to “Executive Time” and alleges this mostly means Trump is watching television, tweeting and phoning pals. The White House counters that Trump is important meetings and calling legislators. Regardless of how Trump uses his executive time there […]
1. EMS body armor (EMS1.com) A Pa. EMS agency announced a purchase of 15 ballistic vests for it’s personnel. “The department recently purchased 15 ballistic vests. (EMS Chief Robert) Weidner said that is enough vests for all personnel on Yellow Breeches’ five ambulances.” That likely means the vests are assigned to rigs not people. “Weidner […]
1. Driverless ambulances and other thoughts on EMS Safety Jim Hoffman conducted a series of year-end interviews about EMS education, wellness and safety. Listen and watch interviews with Rom Duckworth, Chris Cebollero, Bryan Fass, Tim Nowak and myself. 2. Top 2017 EMS news and 2018 predictions On the Medic2Medic podcast host Steve Cohen, Carey EMS, […]
I am taking a moment today to remember the colleagues we have lost in the line of duty. 1. EMS Line of Duty Deaths 2017 EMS1 reported 11 EMT or paramedic line of duty death incidents in 2017. 2. Police Officer Line of Duty Deaths 2017 The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund issued a preliminary […]
1. Distracted (dangerous) driver? Of the environments emergency respsonders regularly operate there is place more dangerous than the roadside. The Adams County (Wis.) Sheriff’s office shared this dashcam video of a deputy who was nearly hit by pick-up truck. An explanation for the driver’s behavior wasn’t shared in the post. It’s not a leap to […]
I also thought of titling this post, “What would Fonzie do?” but that seems like a pretty dated reference. Or perhaps “How would Barney Stinson have played this situation?” Detective Jeff Payne, a Utah police officer and paramedic since 1983, became a viral news sensation when he handcuffed an emergency department nurse who refused to let him […]