This Week in EMS: Fire/EMS Brownouts...Helicopter Crash Report...EMS Blogs

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Fire/EMS Brownouts Concern Philadelphia Residents

In South Philadelphia, where the Fire Department shut down Engine 24 at 1200 S. 20th St., residents were greeted with a simple sign on the garage door that read, "Sorry, we're closed."

Calif. Online Registry to Improve EMS Accountability, Oversight

The site, known as the California Emergency Medical Services Personnel Registry, includes information on more than 74,000 current and former EMTs and paramedics who have held a license in California.

NTSB Releases Preliminary Findings in Ariz. Helicopter Crash

A medical helicopter involved in a fatal crash in a north-side neighborhood that killed three people last week fell 600 feet in eight seconds before it hit the ground, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.

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EMS Training Center

Skills Station: The Unconscious Patient

The unconscious patient can be a challenge in the prehospital setting, where it is not always apparent or obvious what is causing the patient to be unconscious. There is always the potential that the patient is critically ill or injured and it is important to try to anticipate the potential cause of unconsciousness.

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The Corner Office: Practical Management for EMS Leaders

Making a Difference Through Customer Service Excellence: Part 1

Our responsibility for customer service does not end with the patient. Part of being a true professional is letting everyone know that help is here, and we are willing and capable of fixing the problem.

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Prehospital Profiles

The Time is Right for Treasure Coast Public Safety Complex

The cliché' "timing is everything," seems to ring true in the case of the Treasure Coast Public Safety Complex (TCPSC) at Indian River State College (IRSC) in Fort Pierce, FL. Officials of the college's original police and fire academy facilities had contemplated a new training facility for a decade or more before the new Complex's actual completion in September 2008. But manmade and natural disasters--including the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Katrina--changed the direction from a more simple, upgraded public service training complex centralized at one location to the current $40 million, eight-building, 50-acre complex.

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EMS Life

Grand Rounds from the EMS Blogosphere: August 2010

In this monthly column, Adam Thompson provides an update of the hot topics being discussed on EMS blogs around the Web. Adam, who launched the Paramedicine 101 blog in 2009, will also offer his top tips for anyone interested in starting their own blog.

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Case Studies

Air Medical Responders Flying High With New Communications Software

EMS operations depend upon reliable communications. The challenging environments of air medical responders further complicate these communications requirements, making first response scenarios more complex than those on the ground.

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The EMS Squadcast

The RSI Debate and Disaster Response Medicine

Join host Tim Perkins as he welcomes Robert Sullivan and Jason Dush to talk about RSI--should your EMS agency use it or not? Robert authored an article on his agency's experiences with RSI in the January issue of EMS Magazine and Jason will speak on the topic at the upcoming EMS EXPO in Dallas, TX, September 27-October 1. Also, David Violante and Sean Kivlehan from NYC Medics discuss the EMS response to the January earthquake in Haiti, which they also wrote about in the April issue of EMS Magazine. All that, plus hot topics and listener e-mail!

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Reading Room

Author Interviews and Writing Advice