This Week in EMS: A Recap for October 13-19, 2007

This week marked the largest anti-terrorism exercise in U.S. history, depicting the explosions of radiological "dirty" bombs in Guam, Phoenix and Portland.

The exercise, called TOPOFF 4 (for "top officials 4"), involved more than 15,000 people who work for federal, state and local agencies, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Local media in Portland reported that emergency workers in Clark County, including some with the Vancouver Fire Department, Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriff's Office, took part in the drill centered at Portland International Raceway.

As the scenario unfolded during the five-day drill, the thousands of people taking part had to take action as if it were a real attack. The exercise tested decision making based on various policies and strategies, and served to strengthen relationships between the agencies involved.

Clark County was given a federal grant of $100,000 for its part in the games.

To read more about the exercise, visit the initial article here and follow the links for updates: National Terrorism Drill Hits Oregon.

First responders and other health care advocates were keeping a close eye on the Senate this week as legislators discussed an important funding measure.

As reported in an exclusive article by EMSResponder.com, the bill contains funding for vital programs including Rural and Community AED, EMS for Children grant program and block grants that provide money for states to pay for various EMS-related activities.

"It's important that the Senate pass it with a veto-proof margin which is two-thirds majority," said Lisa Meyer, vice-present of Cornerstone Government Affairs, a lobbying group for EMS.

Meyer told EMS providers at EMS Expo in Orlando last week that the House made its version veto-proof. The Senate must now do the same thing to protect the funds.

Read the full article here and look for updates on EMSResponder.com: EMS Funding Bill on Senate Agenda.

In another exclusive report this week on EMSResponder.com, it was revealed that elections for a federal EMS advisory panel may be made by the end of the month.

More than 400 applications were submitted for the 26 positions on the new National EMS Advisory Council. Since mid-February, authorities have been poring over the applicants' qualifications to ensure there is broad representation on the council.

The group that will include consumers as well as EMS personnel, 9-1-1 dispatchers and emergency department representatives will advise the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of EMS on a myriad of issues.

To read more visit Selections Underway for Federal EMS Advisory Panel.

In other national news, it has been revealed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is drawing up plans to prepare for a handful of disasters: earthquakes beneath San Francisco and St. Louis and catastrophic storms in South Florida and Hawaii.

This action is a departure from FEMA's traditional role, in waiting for states to develop such responses. The agency began this aggressive stance toward disaster planning after the much criticized response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said in an interview last week with The Associated Press that this is a "culture change" at FEMA. He said the old model of waiting for states to plead for federal help was a recipe for "sequential failure."

"We've got to go in as partners. We've got to stand side by side," he said.

To read more about FEMA's new plans visit FEMA Draws Up Disaster Plans.

In additional major EMS news this week, reports of infections from the drug-resistant staph "superbug" MRSA are on the rise around the nation. The issue is gaining particular momentum, especially as it relates to schools, since the death this week of a Virginia high school student.