Designation for EMS Week as designated for Emergency Medical Services.
WHEREAS, emergency medical services is a vital public service; and
WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and
WHEREAS, the emergency medical services system consist of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, and others; and
WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week; and Now, therefore, I [name, title, city, state] in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 17-23, 2009 as
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK
And encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
_________________________________
Name and Title of Official
Emergency Medical Services,known more commonly as EMS, is a public safety service, as essential as police and fire services. EMS is easily recognized when one sees emergency vehicles or helicopters responding to incidents in the community, but it is, in fact, much more. It is an intricate system of agencies and organizations; communications and transportation networks; trauma systems, as well as hospitals, trauma centers, and specialty care centers; rehabilitation facilities; and highly trained professionals—including volunteer and career pre-hospital personnel, physicians, nurses, therapists, administrators, government officials, and an informed public that knows what to do in a medical emergency. Each component in the EMS system has an essential job to perform as part of a coordinated system of care.
LOCAL EMS SYSTEMS
Responding to medical emergencies is the responsibility of local emergency medical services (EMS) systems. They represent a coordinated effort among many different organizations to deliver the best possible medical care to all patients. Local communities use the EMS system model to design their own EMS system, using local resources to fill local needs. For instance, prehospital care, one component of an EMS system, may be provided by a volunteer rescue squad, a hospital-based ambulance service, a fire department, a commercial ambulance service or others.
STATE EMS AGENCIES
Each state and territory in the United States has a lead EMS agency. These agencies are usually a part of the State Health Department, but in some states they are part of the Public Safety Department or are an Independent Agency. State EMS Agencies are responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and Regulation of State EMS Systems, and include the following functions:
• Licensure and certification of EMS providers and agencies;
• Serving as the lead agency for statewide trauma systems or other specialty care systems;
• Collecting data from local EMS agencies, hospitals, and trauma centers and monitoring system performance and outcome;
• Developing statewide medical protocols for EMS providers, or otherwise establishing the scope of EMS practice;
• Operating or coordinating a statewide communications system that connects EMS providers in the field with hospitals aswell as trauma and specialty centers;
• Coordinating the distribution of federal grants for EMS or administering state EMS grant programs;
• Planning for and coordinating the medical response to disasters and mass casualty incidents and homeland security medical initiatives.
The state EMS agency ensures a statewide coordinated, high quality, emergency medical services system that is there when you need it.
FEDERAL EMS PROGRAMS
Reflecting the diversity of EMS systems, several different federal agencies, each with a unique contribution, provide products, programs,funding, and technical assistance to state and local EMS systems. These agencies coordinate their efforts through regular communications, planning and collaboration on numerous projects. The EMS activities of several federal programs are described below and include a sampling of activities and products. For additional information, contact the agency directly. In addition to supporting state and local EMS system development, several other federal agencies directly provide emergency medical services. These include the Indian Health Service, the National Park Service, the nation’s military, and others.
LOCAL
EMS HX
"I Never Dreamed"
I never dreamed it would be me, my name for all eternity, recorded here at this hallow place, alas, my name, no more my face. "In the line of duty," I hear them say: my family now the price to pay. My folded flag stained with their tears; we only had those few short years. The Patch no longer on my Sleeve, I sleep now in eternal rest. My sword I pass to those behind, and pray they keep this thought in mind. I never dreamed it would be me, and with heavy heart and bended knee, I ask for all here from the past: Dear God, let my name be the last.
ONE OF THE DANGER'S FACED IN EMS
DAVES EMS HEADQUARTERS
2010 EMS WEEK
CELEBRATING OUR EMS HERO'S NEXT
SAMPLE EMS WEEK PROCLAMATION FOR YOUR USE
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Joseph R Barlow, 55, of Johnson County Rescue and EMS, Mountain City, TN, who died in the line of duty on September 18, 2009 of injuries received in an ambulance involved motor vehicle accident.
Paul Boyer, 54, of Womack Army Medical Center Ambulance Services, Fort Bragg, NC, who died in the line of duty on October 21, 2009 of injuries received in an ambulance involved motor vehicle accident.
James Bradshaw, 39, of Mountain Lifeflight, Susanville, CA, who died in the line of duty on November 14, 2009 of injuries received in an aeromedical aviation accident.
Timothy A Byrd, 46, of Dover-Stewart County Rescue Squad, Dover, TN, who died in the line of duty on February 9, 2009 of a cardiac arrest while on duty.
Debra Cole, 40, of South Portland Fire Department, South Portland, ME, who died in the line of duty on June 11, 2009 of a cerebral vascular accident while on duty.
Diana Lynn Conner, 42, of Carolina Lifecare, Conway, SC, who died in the line of duty on September 25, 2009 of injuries received in an aeromedical aviation accident.
Mark B Davis, 25, of Cape Vincent Volunteer Fire Department, Cape Vincent, NY, who died in the line of duty on January 31, 2009 of a gun shot wound received while at the scene of a call.
David M Deland, 45, of Lake-Sumter EMS, Mount Dora, FL, who died in the line of duty on November 6, 2009 of a cardiac arrest while on duty.
Randolph Dove, 39, of Carolina Lifecare, Conway, SC, who died in the line of duty on September 25, 2009 of injuries received in an aeromedical aviation accident.
Larry Wayne Faegin, 49, of Gemini Ambulance Service, Falfurrias, TX, who died in the line of duty on August 13, 2009 of a cardiac arrest while on duty.
Melissa Gerese Greenhagen, 37, of Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital STAT Ambulance Services, Glasgow, MT, who died in the line of duty on January 17, 2009 of a gun shot wound received while walking across a hospital parking lot.
Paul D Holmes, 37, of Douglas County Fire Department, Douglasville, GA, who died in the line of duty on December 28, 2009 of injuries received in an ambulance involved motor vehicle accident.
Daryl Joseph Lahren, 47, of Kindred Ambulance, Kindred, ND, who died in the line of duty on June 25, 2009 of a cardiac arrest while on duty.
Dale R Long, 48, of Bennington Rescue Squad, Bennington, VT, who died in the line of duty on June 5, 2009 of injuries received in an ambulance involved motor vehicle accident.
Bonnie McNeil, 50, of Union Rescue Squad, Willard, NC, who died in the line of duty on May 14, 2009 of a cardiac arrest while on duty.
Christopher Meadows, 24, of San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Search & Rescue, San Luis Obispo, CA, who died in the line of duty on May 24, 2009 of injuries received in an ATV accident while performing a beach/dune rescue.
Harry R Moore, 77, of City of Duquesne Emergency Medical Services, Duquesne, PA, who died in the line of duty on November 22, 2009 of a cardiac arrest while on duty.
Charles Denny Myshrall, 67, of North Coventry Volunteer Fire Department, Coventry, CT, who died in the line of duty on February 26,2009 of complications from surgery for injuries received from a fall at the scene of a call.
Barry John Nagle, 66, of Silver Spring Ambulance and Rescue, New Kingstown, PA, who died in the line of duty on February 4, 2009 of a cardiac arrest while on duty.
Clinton Reger, 40, of Mountain Lifeflight, Susanville, CA, who died in the line of duty on November 14, 2009 of injuries received in an aeromedical aviation accident.
Christopher Ritz, 37, of Mountain Lifeflight, Susanville, CA, who died in the line of duty on November 14, 2009 of injuries received in an aeromedical aviation accident.
Virginia K Shearrer, 63, of Larned EMS, Larned, KS, who died in the line of duty on June 5, 2006 of a cerebral vascular accident while on duty.
Gary D Street, 60, of East Lake Sinclair Volunteer Fire Department, Sparta, GA, who died in the line of duty on October 17, 2009 of a cardiac arrest while on duty.
Andrew Francis Tingwall, 36, of New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue, Santa Fe, NM, who died in the line of duty on June 11, 2009 of injuries received in an aeromedical aviation accident.
Patrick B Walters, 45, of Carolina Lifecare, Conway, SC, who died in the line of duty on September 25, 2009 of injuries received in an aeromedical aviation accident.
Thomas E Widcamp, 38, of Cameron Parish EMS, Cameron, LA, who died in the line of duty on October 9, 2009 of injuries received when a rescue trailer pinned him to the EMS building.
EMS AND IT'S LONG & CONTINUING HISTORY
Before you can fully understand this webpage and all of the issues facing the EMS you need to understand the rich and complex history of ambulances and the Emergency Medical Service. It doesn't matter if you know everything about EMS, or nothing at all this information will prove enlightening to everyone. As I researched this material for my website I learned quite a bit about the history of EMS and I think you will too.
The History of the ambulance service (a precursor to the modern Emergency Medical Service) was born as a result of numerous milestones throughout history. The ambulance service can be traced all the way back to the middle ages. During the Crusades of the 11th Century, the Knights of Saint John received instruction in first-aid treatment from Arab and Greek doctors. The Knights of Saint John then acted as the first emergency workers, treating soldiers on both sides of the war on the battlefield and bringing in the wounded to nearby tents for further medical treatment. During this time it had become common practice for small rewards to be paid to soldiers who treated and carried the wounded bodies of other soldiers in for medical treatment.
In the year 1487 during the siege of Malaga in Spain, the next recorded use of an ambulance (horse drawn cart with attendant) was used by the military. They were used to help remove wounded solders and civilians from the fields of battle.
However the first big leap in EMS came during the late 1700s. Napoleon Bonaparte appointed Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey to develop the first medical patient care system for the French army. One of his findings was that leaving wounded soldiers on the battlefield for several days increased the complications and suffering. This delay in treatment resulted in needless deaths. "The remoteness of our ambulances deprived the wounded of the requisite attention," he wrote. In 1797. Larrey then developed a method to send trained medical personnel into the field to provide medical care to the wounded soldiers and to provide medical care en route to the field hospital. This action increased their chances of survival and benefited Napoleon's conquest efforts. He designed a special carriage staffed with medical personnel to access all parts of the battlefield. The carriage became known as the ambulance volante, or flying ambulance.
Baron Larrey developed all of the precepts of emergency medical care that are used today by all modern EMS systems:
1) Rapid access to the patient by trained personnel.
2) Field treatment and stabilization.
3) Rapid transportation back to the medical facility, while providing medical care enroute.
Although removal of the wounded and dead from the battlefields has existed in some form since early Greek and Roman times, Larrey can still be considered the "father of emergency medical services."
At the beginning of the 1860s the United States created the first field ambulance and attendant. The first recorded use of a field ambulance and attendant was during the Civil War. During the U.S. Civil War, both sides attempted to emulate the medical practices of the Napoleonic wars with little success. Lack of funding, government support, and dedicated personnel initially prevented the development of an effective ambulance system. During the Second Battle of Bull Run in August of 1862, on the Union side alone over 3000 wounded solders lay in the field for 3 days and 600 wounded solders lay in the fields for over a week. James Brady and Walt Whitman reported that emergency medical facilities were primitive and many wounded solders died in agony. At that time the ambulance service was being run by the QuartermasterCorps. It was transferred to surgeon general Jonathan Letterman, MD,
to organize and he reinstated all of Larrey's concepts greatly increasing the survival rate of the wounded.
At the Geneva Convention of 1864 an agreement was developed among the European countries to recognize the neutrality of hospitals, the sick and wounded, all persons involved in medical care, and ambulances. It provided safe passage across battle lines for all medical and injured personnel. On August 22, 1864, the organization adopted for its logo the reverse of the Swiss flag. The logo was a red cross on a white background. The name that they adopted was the International Red Cross.
By late 1865 the first civilian ambulance service in the nation was being run by The Commercial Hospital of Cincinnati. Other ambulance services followed at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, and Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
In 1867 Major General Rucker won the "best of kind" for an ambulance that was adopted as the regulation ambulance. It had extra springs on the floor, more elasticity to the stretchers, and improved ventilation.
By the late 1860s there was a major proliferation of ambulances throughout the United States. In late 1869 the first New York City hospital-based ambulance service was established at Bellevue Hospital by Dr. Edward L. Dalton. In December of 1869 the first month of operation of the ambulance service of the Free Hospital of New York (Bellevue) they ran a total of 74 calls. In 1870 1466 calls were run. The Bellevue dispatch system was different from the dispatch used today. A hospital worker rang a bell, which triggered a weight to fall, lighting the gas lamp to wake the physician and the driver. It also caused the harness, saddle, and collar to drop on the horse and opened the stable doors. However, this improved response and care was mostly limited to the larger cities in America.
During World War I and especially during World War II, the military medical corps proved their worth in field assessment and early management of injured personnel. Although the military system of emergency care became well developed, the development of a civilian system lagged far behind. In the mid 1950s, J.D. "Deke" Farrington, MD, FACS (the Father of modern EMS), and others, questioned why the lessons learned by the military medical corps during World War II and the Korean War could not be brought into the civilian community to improve the standard of civilian care. At that time, emergency medicine and EMS were not what we know today. In San Francisco, New York, New Orleans, and other American cities, interns were assigned to ambulances to provide care for the victims of trauma and other conditions outside of the hospital. Most hospitals did not have a place to manage emergencies.
Some hospitals had set up an unstaffed "emergency room" at the back of the hospital. The "ambulance driver" had to ring the doorbell beside the emergency room door so that the nurse could come down from the ward to unlock the door. The nurse then checked the patient and called a physician from home if she thought that the patient was really sick. (Did you ever wonder why modern emergency departments are in the rear of the hospital and not out front? Tradition.) All the physicians on staff had to take turns "covering the Emergency Room." A patient involved in a major wreck with multiple fractures, and perhaps a ruptured spleen or a head injury, might be seen by an ophthalmologist or a dermatologist. Many physicians knew that they were ill prepared to handle trauma or a major myocardial infarction, but there was no alternative at the time.
Until the concept arose that non physicians could be trained to provide this kind of emergency care, the majority of the pre-hospital care was merely transportation provided by the local mortuary. The victim was driven to the hospital in a hearse with no one in the "patient compartment" except the patient and perhaps a family member. Many people began to question the efficacy and even ethics of this transportation. When the paper titled "Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society" was written by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council in 1966, it became apparent that much improvement could be made by changing the emergency vehicles themselves and improving the training of EMTs, communications, record keeping, and the care provided upon arrival to the facility.
At the Airlie House conference (May 1969) sponsored by the Committee on Trauma, American College of Surgeons and Committee on Injuries, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, "Recommendations for an Approach to an Urgent National Problem" was written. This conference indicated that immediate attention and control were needed in the areas of transportation and communication. Developing standards for ambulance design and equipment was recognized as "painfully slow." Dr. Farrington and Dr. Sam Banks developed a trauma training school for the Chicago Fire Department that served as the prototype of what later became the first EMT-Ambulance (EMT-A) training program. The task force involved in the design of the program for the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) included Deke Farrington, Rocco Morando, Oscar Hampton, Walter Hoyt, Walter Hunt, Robert Oswald, Peter Safar, and Joseph Territo.
At the same time that the EMT-A training program was evolving, Eugene Nagle in Miami; Ron Stewart and Jim Page in Los Angeles; John Waters in Jacksonville, Florida; Costas Lambrew in New York; Mark Vasu in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Jim Warren in Columbus, Ohio; and others began to provide "paramedic care." Originally designed for cardiac patients, all types of patients soon received the type of pre-hospital cardiac care developed by Pantridge and Geddes in Belfast, Ireland. Small communities, such as Newton, Kansas, under the direction of Jim Werries, had developed a cardiac care EMS service by the early 1970s, but these were isolated situations. Kansas was like many of the states during the period that worked in isolation to develop a method of providing pre-hospital care for its citizens. It was not until 1974 to 1975 that Kansas had the statewide program going at the basic level and partially evolved at the EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P) level.
The initial training program was called the Advanced Training Program of EMT. The USDOT organized a subcommittee on ambulance services, which developed the standards on which this course was based. Many of those leaders who have been identified were active in the development of this curriculum. Nancy Caroline and her team at the University of Pittsburgh was awarded the contract from the USDOT to write the National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-P. This modular training program included sections that then became the basis for the EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I). Up until the late 1970s, most of the federal involvement came through the USDOT under the leadership of Leo Schwartz and Robert Motley. A new EMS act was passed in 1976 that gave money and responsibility to the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Chicago trauma surgeon David Boyd led this enactment, which resulted in the development of state and local EMS regions throughout the United States.
The National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) was created shortly after the Airlie Conference. This organization was responsible for registering and reregistering EMTs based on completion of the USDOT standard EMT-A curriculum (and later the EMT-I and EMT-P training). The NREMT developed written and practical examinations based on the objectives of these courses to examine and register those who satisfactorily completed the examination process. Most states use the NREMT's process in whole or in part as the basis for licenser. The "Star of Life" is a logo patented by the American Medical Association in 1967. It represents the three rivers of life and the staff of Aesculapius. It was given to the NREMT as the EMT logo. When Dawson Mills of the USDOT asked the American Red Cross to use the red cross as the EMS logo for ambulances and was refused, he asked "Deke" Farrington if the USDOT could use the Star of Life on all ambulances in the United States, and Farrington approved it. The six points of the star were named by Leo Schwartz.
The National Association of EMTs (NAEMT), founded in 1975, was developed to represent EMTs at all levels. The state EMS directors formed the National Association of State EMS Directors (NASEMSD) to share ideas and develop strategies for EMS development across state lines. Another organization, the National Council of EMS Training Coordinators (NASEMSTC), is also charged with sharing educational ideas across state lines. The National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) was formed to provide leadership in medical direction of EMS services. This association is the focus of activities, discussion, and meetings for physicians involved either full-or part-time in EMS.
This very brief overview can only mention a few of the highlights in the development of EMS in the United States. However, even this history underscores how far EMS has evolved from its roots in European battlefields. Below is a table of some of the important events in the history of EMS.
Year / Event
1865 America's first ambulance service is instituted by the U.S. Army.
1865 The first civilian ambulance service in the nation was being run by The Commercial Hospital of Cincinnati.
1869 America's first city ambulance service (utilizing horse drawn carriages) is instituted in New York City by Bellevue Hospital.
1870 Prussian siege of Paris used hot air balloons to transported wounded soldiers. This was the first documented case of aeromedical transportation.
1899 First motorized ambulance operated out of the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago; reached a speed of 16 miles per hour
1901 President McKinley shot in Buffalo and transported in a motorized ambulance
1910 First known air ambulance aircraft was built in North Carolina and tested in Florida. The aircraft failed after flying only 400 yards and crashing.
1922 Committee on Treatment of Fractures formed
1926 Phoenix Fire Department begins "inhalator" calls.
1928 Julien Stanley Wise implemented the first rescue squad (Roanoke Life Saving Crew) in the nation in Roanoke, VA.
1931 Outline of Treatment of Injuries
1939 Committee on Fractures and Other Injures formed
1940 Prior to World War II, hospitals provided ambulance service in many large cities. With the severe manpower shortages imposed by the war effort, it became difficult for many hospitals to maintain their ambulance operations. City governments in many cases turned ambulance service over to the police or fire department. No laws required minimal training for ambulance personnel and no training programs existed beyond basic first aid existed. In many fire departments, assignment to ambulance duty became an unofficial form of punishment.
1951 Helicopters began to be used for medical evacuations during the Korea war.
1954 Survey of EMS systems performed by ACS/COT chairman Alan Dimick, MD; 64 cities, 5 years of data (1/4 excellent, 1/3 unacceptable)
1955 Saturday Evening Post article, "Let Those Crash Victims Lie-Ambulance Attendants are Trained to Handle Them," published
1956 Dr. Elan & Dr. Safar developed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
1957 Chicago Fire Department training program developed by "Deke" Farrington, MD
1959 Symposium on Medical Aspects of Traffic Safety formed
1959 Researchers at John's Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD developed the first portable defibrillator as well as perfected CPR.
1960 "Management of Fractures and Soft Tissue" published by Committee on Trauma, American College of Surgeons
1960 "CPR"-Journal of the American Medical Association article published by Jude
1960 - Martin McMahon experimented with various types of artificial respiration by paralyzing Baltimore City firefighters and seeing which method worked best.
1962 AMBU bag developed
1962 "Thumper," developed by Michigan Instruments
1962 "Resusci-Anne," developed by Laerdal
1965 Life Pack 33 developed
1966 "Accidental Death and Disability-The Neglected Disease of Modern Society" published by NRC-NAS
1966 Presidents Commission on Highway Safety formed
1966 Highway Safety Act enacted
1966 Dr. Pantridge in Belfast, Ireland, started to deliver pre-hospital coronary care using ambulances. His research showed that his program significantly improved patient survivability in out-of-hospital cardiac events.
1966 In Pittsburgh, citizens demand an ambulance service to transport minority citizens. Freedom House Enterprises took 44 unemployed 18-60 year old men and gave then 3,000 hours of medical training. The program was deemed a success.
1967 "Death in a Ditch" published by "Deke" Farrington, MD
1967 Mobile Coronary Care Units developed by Pantridge
1967 Traction splint developed by Glenn Hare
1967 "Star of Life" patented by American Medical Association
1967 Jaws of Life developed by George Hurst
1968 On January 12, 1968 AT&T announces their designation of 911 as a universal emergency number at a press conference in the Washington (DC) office of Indiana Rep. Ed Roush, who had championed for Congressional support for "one number." AT&T's plan affected only the Bell companies, and not any of the independent telephone companies. Up to this point, the number "911" wasn't mentioned in any literature, and apparently wasn't identified until the press conference. In fact, a Wall Street Journal article written the day before the press conference didn't mention "911" as the number that AT&T selected.
1969 Ohio Heart mobile developed
1969 Arlie House Conference formed
1969 American Medical Association Commission on EMS formed
1969 Helicopter used for civilian medical transportation
1969 EMT-A published by Dunlap and Associates
1969 The Miami FL Fire Department started the nation's first paramedic program under Dr. Eugene Nagel. The very first out-of-hospital defibrillation occurred shortly thereafter (the patient survived and left the hospital neurologically intact). In Seattle, Dr. Leonard Cobb at Harbor View Medical Center teams up with the Seattle Fire Department and creates Medic I. Medic I is a Winnebago, (called "Mobi Pig" by the firefighters manning it), based at the hospital and is dispatched only on cardiac related calls.
1970 National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) founded
1970 "Emergency!" with Johnny and Roy airs on TV
1972 The Department of Transportation and Department of Defense team up to form a helicopter evacuation service. In Seattle, Medic II is instituted. Medic II is a program to train 100,000 citizens in CPR. Harbor View Medical Center starts up the nation's most intensive training program for paramedics. The course is 5,000 hours long, compared to 3,600 hours a medical student endures to become a doctor.
1973 Emergency Medical Services Act enacted
1975 National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) founded
1975 ACLS developed by American Heart Association
1978 ATLS pilot course developed in Auburn, Nebraska
1979 ATLS approved by ACS/COT
1979Joint Review Committee for EMT-Paramedic accreditation formed
1981 Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) approved by NAEMT and ACS/COT
1981 BTLS developed by Alabama Chapter of ACEP
1983PHTLS pilot courses run in Iowa, Connecticut, and Louisiana
EMS grew exponentially after the early 1980s. So many people contributed so much that an attempt to list all of these contributions would leave out many of the major players. This does not detract from all of the work done by each of them. It only points out the growth of EMS in the United States and the world. A small example is all of those who made possible the spread of PHTLS to 25 countries and greater than 300,000 providers trained by the year 2000 and a similar spread of BTLS by its contributors.
1986 The Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is passed by Congress. This affected transfers of patients from ED to ED and prevented "dumping" (financially motivated transfers of patients).
1992A public opinion survey conducted for the American College of Emergency Physicians found that nearly half of adult Americans could not identify 9-1-1 as the emergency number, or confused it with 4-1-1, the directory assistance number.
1995 Los Angeles City Fire Department institutes EMT Assessment & Paramedic Engine companies.
1996New York City EMS is absorbed by FDNY.
1997San Francisco and Chicago institute paramedic engine companies.
1999 President Clinton signs Senate Bill 800, which designates 911 as the nationwide emergency telephone number.
09-11-01Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, and Pentagon result in the largest peacetime EMS response in history. Over 3000 people are killed in the attacks.
A Guestbook Message left on this site's Home Page that I want to share with you (read)
Eric Hanson, my 26 year old paramedic son, was killed on October 10, 2006 in the line of duty. He loved being a paramedic and had so many plans. He wanted to write grants to provide more services to his clients in Marble Falls, learn how to better prepare for chemical terrorist attacks, help the community provide better services for depressed patients, and help prevent teen related automobile accidents. Five paramedics from Travis County EMS are riding in the 2007 EMS Memorial Bike ride from NYC to Roanoke, Virginia in Eric's memory. They have a blog which is at:
Your site is awesome! I discovered it about one year ago and told Eric about it. At the middle school where I work we have sponsored a First Responders' Brunch since 9-11. We are hosting it this Tuesday. Travis County is sending a new EMS truck. The students will get a chance to view a state of the art ambulance, as well as thank the heroes in their community. My husband and I will be in Roanoke, Virginia on May 25 to cheer the arrival of the 2007 EMS Cycle Team. Godspeed to them.
Saturday, 5/19/07,
Message from: Mrs. Rita Hanson (Mother)
Eric Collin Hansonof Marble Falls Area EMS,Marble Falls, TX who was Killed In the Line of Duty on October 10, 2006 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision.
THE 2009 EMS WEEK MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS HELD ON MAY 23, 2009. HONORING OUR EMS PERSONNEL WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, "THEIR LIVES" IN THE PERFONANCE OF THEIR DEDICATION TO PRESERVING LIFE. THE FAMILIES AND CO-WORKERS WERE PRESENT AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE HONORING THESE HERO'S.
Starting 2010 Colorado Springs Becomes New Home For National EMS Memorial
Colorado Springs becomes the new home of the National "Tree of Life," as well as the location for the National EMS Memorial, beginning with the 37th annual National EMS Week in May, 2010.
A site selection committee was established in 2006 to review options for the memorial and the annual service. According to a news release issued by the National EMS Memorial Service, 14 cities expressed interest, with three cities, Kansas City, Washington DC, and Colorado Springs named as finalists. Colorado Springs was the winner.
The National EMS Memorial Service press release states:
"This was not an easy choice for us. All three locations would have served well as hosts for the Service. This selection was the culmination of almost two years' work by our Site Selection Committee and other board members." said Memorial Service President Kevin L. Dillard.
Dillard's sentiments were echoed by Kevin Agard, Memorial Service board member and chair of the Site Selection Committee. "As someone involved in this process from the start, I can tell you without fear of contradiction that this was a most difficult decision for everyone involved. The coalitions from the EMS communities of Colorado Springs and Kansas City, along with the folks from the EMS Labor Alliance, who spearheaded the effort to bring the Service to the District of Columbia, put a lot of time, effort and money into promoting those locations. But more than that, they were all very supportive of our efforts and of the Service as a whole."
When asked why Colorado Springs was ultimately the choice, Agard said "This was not simply a matter of finding a place to erect a memorial. The new host city will also have to be able to support the ongoing annual event that is the National EMS Memorial Service. So this decision involved a fairly large number of factors for us. Paramount among these is our consideration for the family members of our honorees. Our focus has always been on the families and in the end, I believe that most of our board members voted the way they did because they believe that Colorado Springs is the best option for those families."
Dillard said the Memorial Service will move to Colorado Springs in 2010 and that the organization will now move on to the design and fund-raising phases of the project with an eye towards having the new memorial completed in time for that year's Memorial Service.
2009 Theme: "EMS YOUR PROUD PARTNER IN YOUR COMMUNITY"
Paramedic Richard Quigley, 46, from TransCare Ambulance
Kingston, NY
Died following Cardiac Arrest, Quigley on his way home from work he stopped to assist at an accident, when he suffered the Cardiac Event.
Died January 10, 2009
EMT Melissa Greenhagen, 37, of the Emergency Medical Services at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital
Glasgow, MT
Was shot and killed after being ambushed by a gunman in the parking lot of Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital parking lot.
Murdered
January 17, 2009
EMT & Firefighter Richard Rhea, 60, of the Wakulla Co Volunteer Fire Department
Tallahassee, FL
Fire Capt & EMT Rhea responded to a car accident, while assisting the 2 injured he made contact with a power line and was killed
Killed
January 24, 2009
EMT-Firefighter Mark Davis,
25, of the Cape Vincent Fire Department
Cape Vincent, NY
Was shot and killed after a patient Davis was treating became agitated retrieved a rifle and shot and Killed EMT-FF Davis
Murdered
January 30, 2009
EMT/Firefighter Charles Myshrall 67, of the North Coventry Volunteer Fire Department
Coventry, CT
EMT & FF Myshrall was injured Feb 03, 2009, while recuperating from Surgery, Myshrall collapsed and died.
Died
February 26, 2009
Paramedic/Firefighter Michael J. Darrington 45, of the Toledo Fire Department
Toledo, OH
Paramedic & FF Darrington was found dead at the crew quarters after failing to report for an emergency call.
Died
February 27, 2009
EMT Bonnie McNeill, 50, of the Union Rescue Squad
Wilmington, NC
EMT Bonnie McNeill, collapsed as she was preparing to leave the scene of a medical call from an unknown medical problem.
Died
May 15, 2009
EMT Christopher Meadows 24, of the San Luis Ambulance
San Luis Obispo, CA
EMT Christopher Meadows, 24, was on duty as a Sheriff’s Department search-and-rescue volunteer. Meadows lost control of a four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle while responding to a medical and then struck by an ambulance as it crested a hill where Meadows had rolled over
Pilot/Sgt Andrew Tingwall, 36, of the New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue
Santa FE, NM
Sgt Tingwall was killed while attempting a rescue in the course of the operation his helicopter went down injuring his spotter
Killed
June 10, 2009
Paramedic Debra Cole, 40, of the South Portland fire Dept
Portland, OR
While on duty Paramedic Debra Cole Collapsed at the station after suffering a stroke, she was transported to a local hospital where she died following 11 hours of surgery
Died
June 12, 2009
EMT Dale Long, 48, of the Bennington Rescue Squad
Bennington, VT
EMT Long was transporting a patient to the hospital when his unit was involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident. Investigators state Long may have suffered a medical emergency.
Killed
June 15, 2009
EMT Daryl Lahren, 47, from Kindred Ambulance
Kindred, ND
After returning from a medical emergency, Lahren suffered a fatal heart attack.
Died
June 25, 2009
Paramedic Larry Feagin, 49, of the Gemini Ambulance Service
Rural, TX
Paramedic Larry Feagin was performing chest compressions on a patient when he also suffered sudden cardiac arrest at about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday August 13, 2009. The initial patient did resume a pulse as a result of the response.
Died
August 13, 2009
Medic Joseph R. Barlow, 57, of the Johnson County Rescue Squad
Mountain City, TN
Johnson County Rescue Squad Member Joseph R. Barlow was transporting a Patient to the hospital when a car crossed the center hitting Barlows Unit head on. Barlow was ejected from the vehicle and died Friday September 18, 2009 from his injuries. In addition the Patient who was being transported was also killed and Paramedic Kevin Colson, 32, suffered serious injuries in the accident
Died
September 18, 2009
CONTINUED
Paramedic Randolph Claxton Dove 39, of OmniFlight Services
Bladenboro, NC
After dropping off a Patient, the flight members were returning to base when radio contact was lost approx 4 miles from their base. A search located the down copter and its crew all lost Georgetown SC
Killed
September 25, 2009
Flight Nurse Diana Conner 42, of OmniFlight Services
Florrence, NC
After dropping off a Patient, the flight members were returning to base when radio contact was lost approx 4 miles from their base. A search located the down copter and its crew all lost Georgetown SC
Killed
September 25, 2009
Pilot Patrick Walters 45, of OmniFlight Services
Murrells Inlet, NC
After dropping off a Patient, the flight members were returning to base when radio contact was lost approx 4 miles from their base. A search located the down copter and its crew all lost Georgetown SC
Killed
September 25, 2009
Paramedic Thomas Widcamp, 38, from the Cameron Parish EMS
Grand Lake, LA
Paramedic Widcamp was killed after strong winds knocked a trailer for the Cameron Parish EMS off of its blocks, pinning Widcamp between the building and a car.
Killed
October 09, 2009
Paramedic Paul Boyer, 54, from the Womack Army Medical Center Ambulance Services
Fort Bragg, NC
Paramedic Boyer was killed after the rig was involved in an accident. Boyer died as a result
Killed
October 21, 2009
EMT & Firefighter David Cline, 36, from the Rural/Metro EMS Service as well as the Franklin Fire Dept
Nashville, TN
EMT Cline was killed after the Ambulance he was driving ran into the back of a State Highway Vehicle. Cline was declared dead on scene.
Killed
October 22, 2009
** Also killed was a patient 78 y/o Sue Bly**
Paramedic & Captain David Deland, 45, of the Lake-Sumter EMS Service
Mount Dora, FL
Captain Deland had responded to numerous calls Thursday November 05, 2009, after 0230 hours Friday Nov 06, 2009, he went into cardiac arrest while working in office.
Died
November 06, 2009
Paramedic Christopher Ritz, 37, of Mountain Lifeflight out of Susanville
Susanville, CA
The pilot of the Mountain Lifeflight Medical Helicopter issued a mayday, enroute back to their base. Moments before the Helicopter crashed into a hilly area killing all three Crew Members
Killed
November 14, 2009
Flight Nurse Clinton Reger, 40, of Mountain Lifeflight out of Susanville
Susanville, CA
The pilot of the Mountain Lifeflight Medical Helicopter issued a mayday, enroute back to their base. Moments before the Helicopter crashed into a hilly area killing all three Crew Members
Killed
November 14, 2009
Pilot James Bradshaw, 39, of Mountain Lifeflight out of Susanville
Susanville, CA
The pilot of the Mountain Lifeflight Medical Helicopter issued a mayday, enroute back to their base. Moments before the Helicopter crashed into a hilly area killing all three Crew Members
Killed
November 14, 2009
EMS chief Harry Moore, 77, of Duquesne EMS Service
Duquesne, PA
Duquesne EMS Chief Harry Moore died after he suffered a heart attack while responding to a crash that had injured two people in Duquesne PA.
Died
November 22, 2009
EMT/FF Craig C. Starr, 44, of Plymouth, Utah Volunteer Fire/EMS
Riverside Utah
EMT/firefighter Starr currently held the position of fire chief at the Department, Starr died on Dec. 24 after suffering a heart attack while working at an EMS call
Died
December 24, 2009
Paramedic Paul Holmes, 37, of Douglas County Fire and EMS
Douglasville, GA
Paramedic Holmes, died from injuries, after he was ejected from an ambulance Saturday 12-26-2009, a vehicle struck the ambulance that was on an emergency run. The ambulance rolled three times, ejecting the Medic, from the passenger seat of the ambulance. Holmes was airlifted to Grady Hospital. Paramedic Holes died early Monday morning December 28. 2009. Holmes leaves a wife and a 4 year old daughter.
Killed
December 28, 2009
CELEBRATING OUR EMS HEROS
MAY 16, THRU MAY 22, 2010
2010National EMS Memorial ServiceHonorees
EMS WEEK 2008
Arlie House Conference
(Creation of EMS)
In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson created a commission to address a study regarding the growing issues of accidental death and disabilities. This commission was responsible for the formation of what is known as Emergency Medical Services. The commission’s report determined adequate ambulance services are as much a municipal responsibility as firefighting police services are.
The commission’s report one on the state if the community does not provide ambulance services directly the quality of the services should be controlled by licensing procedures and by adequate surveillance of both volunteer and commercial ambulance companies.
This led to the formation of states Emergency Medical Services Divisions and charged State Governments to create legislation and to track compliance. The commissions recommendations further lead to a more extensive growth of both volunteer EMS Agencies. This lead to creating a higher level of care thereby reducing deaths and disabilities from traumatic injuries and a reduction of highway deaths, and charged the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration with the oversight of Emergency Medical Services as a whole.
NATIONAL EMS WEEK INFORMATION & HISTORY
Professionals working in the field often risk their own safety to help others. EMS Medics work tirelessly to provide for the community. It is important to thank them not only during the designated EMS Week, but every week of every year.
Annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week is held throughout the Nation always over the third week of May. The purpose is a celebration of EMS and honor’s the men and women who work in the field of EMS. Local organizations will conduct events to promote health awareness and recognize the EMS professionals dedicated to protecting the safety of their communities.
EMS Week is a nationwide celebration of the everyday heroes who work in emergency services. Dispatchers, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Paramedics, and Registered Nurses (RN) work 24 hours a day, 365 days a week to serve the families in their local communities. Vehicle Supply Technicians (VST), fleet mechanics, and administrative personnel dedicate their time and energy to ensure smooth operations throughout the system. EMS Week recognizes the efforts and sacrifice of these EMS professionals.
Emergency medicine, as we know it today, began four decades ago in response to increasing numbers of accidental injury and death. Congress took the lead in implementing organizations to define the standards for EMS systems throughout the country in the 1960’s. First responders were given more comprehensive curricula and medical advances increased the demand for EMS. The profession soon became an extension of in-hospital medical care. As EMS responsibilities grew, the typically reactive industry became more proactive. Emergency medical providers have focused on community-based prevention programs more and more in recent years. Today, EMS is as much a promoter of public health and safety as it is a provider of emergency medical response.
Emergency Medical Service’s “EMT’s Paramedic’s, Flight Nurse’s and Pilots,” who have lost their lives “In the Line of Duty,” will be honored at the 2009 National EMS Memorial Service. The Service was held at 1900hrs (7:00 P.M.) on Saturday, May 23, 2009, in Roanoke Virginia. The name’s of the Medics, Flight Nurses, Doctors, Pilots lost in the "Line of Duty," which will be added to a individually engraved bronze oak leaf, and added the "National EMS Memorial Tree of Life," which currently located in the Roanoke Virginia, "To The Rescue Museum.” This marked the final year that the Memorial Service was held at this location. The 18th Memorail service will be held at the New EMS Memorial Site in 2010.
(see information above)
National EMS Memorial Service was held Saturday May 23, 2009
Lost their Lives while Answering call's for Medical Assistance
Colorado Springs - The National EMS Memorial Service today announced plans for the 13th Annual National Moment of Silence, to be observed on Saturday, June 26, 2009, coinciding with the National EMS Memorial Service to be conducted in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The National Moment of Silence offers EMS providers and agencies around the nation the opportunity to join with those in attendance at the National EMS Memorial Service in honoring and remembering those members of our nation's Emergency Medical Services who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in the line of duty.
The National Moment of Silence seeks voluntary participation by all the nation's EMS providers, agencies and emergency communications centers in observing a moment of radio silence timed to coincide with the moment of silence observed during the actual service held annually in Roanoke.
In previous years, the "Moments" have seen the participation of over 800 agencies and dispatch centers from around the United States. The Committee has prepared a "Suggested Script" and instructions for those agencies wishing to participate. This information is available at http://nemsms.org/silence.htm
The National EMS Memorial Service has, since 1992, been honoring those EMS providers who have given their lives in the line of duty. This year, at a Service to be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, members of the honorees' families are presented with a medallion, symbolizing eternal memory; a U.S. Flag which has flown over the Nation's Capital, symbolizing service to the country; and a White Rose, symbolizing their undying love.
Each honoree's name is engraved on a bronze oak leaf which is added to the National EMS Memorial.
The date for the 13th Annual National Moment of Silence is Saturday, June 26, 2010.
