News

Should Trooper Martin Be Fired?
Absolutley
No
Martin should receive a letter in his file then close the matter.
Wait until he causes a Death in the future by pulling over an Ambulance with another patient enrout to a hospital

You, as the 911 caller, are a vital link within the EMS system. The information you provide the dispatch operator helps EMS help you. The following lists the guidelines for communicating the 911 call: Try to remain calm emotions can deter effective communications.

Speak slowly, deliberately. Respond to all questions presented by the dispatch operator. Give a brief, concise description of the emergency, including: the nature of the illness, for example, chest pain with difficult breathing; the mechanism causing the injury, for example, a fall from a 6-foot ladder; the number of patients involved and the types of treatment being rendered by bystanders or first responders.

Know the complete residential or business address, including street number and community, especially if you are calling from a cellular phone. Assist emergency response to the address by ensuring the house number is visible from the street and turning on porch lights. You might send a bystander to meet the ambulance. Do not hang up until directed by the dispatch operator.

May 09, 2008 The National EMS Memorial Service announced Friday that Colorado Springs has been selected as the new home for the National "Tree of Life" EMS Memorial and the annual EMS Memorial Service, beginning in 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.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI 01-09-2009 Federal crash investigators say the probable cause of last May's air ambulance crash on the roof of a Spectrum hospital building downtown is pilot error.

Specifically the final NTSB report on the crash cites "the pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor obstacle clearance from a tower during take off."

The air ambulance was destroyed by the crash and subsequent fire. Both the Pilot and a FAA Inspector were on board and were able to escape despite serious injuries. The Aeromed pilot was undergoing a routine proficiency check.

As the helicopter lifted off the pad on top of the 10-story hospital it apparently backed into a nearby 40' high antenna tower, shattering the tail rotor against a security camera mounted about halfway up the tower. That tower and other smaller obstacles were mounted on top of a 32' high elevator penthouse next to the helipad.

Since the crash, those towers have been removed from the roof, the helipad has been enlarged and up-to-date fire suppression equipment has been added.

Source: WoodTV8, NTSB Report

Patient Killed, Medics Injured after Ambulance crashes

North Dakota 03-09-2009 An ambulance on its way to a Fargo hospital slid off an icy interstate shortly before 3 this morning, leaving dead the patient who was being transported, authorities said. The crash happened near Casselton, N.D., on Interstate Hwy. 94, the North Dakota Highway Patrol said. An ambulance from Carrington Health Center in Carrington, N.D., had its red lights flashing as it headed 140 miles to Innovis Hospital in Fargo with a 66-year-old male patient and two Paramedics.

About 25 miles short of their destination, the driver lost control on icy roads and slid into a ditch. The vehicle rolled once and hit an overhead sign before coming to a rest on its wheels. Another ambulance took the patient, the driver and the paramedic to Innovis Hospital. The patient, from Fessenden, N.D., died at the hospital. The Medic driving and the Paramedic treating the patient were also injured. Police state that a light freezing rain made the interstate icy.

UPDATE

North Dakota 03-09-2009 The weather is being blamed for a tragic crash in eastern North Dakota this morning. A patient died when the ambulance he was riding in rolled. An ambulance crew from Carrington was transferring Kenneth Kandt, 66, of Fessenden, North Dakota from the Carrington Health Center to a Fargo hospital.

The driver Medic Brenda Schneider, 23, was driving a Carrington ambulance and was treated and released from Innovis hospital. The paramedic in the back of the ambulance, John Parr, 39 remains in the hospital, suffering from serious back injuries, he is currently listed in stable condition.

The ambulance rolled once into the south ditch and landed on it`s wheels, and also struck an overhead sign.

A Carrington Health Center spokesperson s Rask stated Icy roads caused the Medic to lose control of the vehicle. “When you work in a rural health setting, weather is a major issue.” Rask says ambulance crews try to be as safe as they can for themselves and the patients; this was just an unfortunate incident.

Denver Colorado April 2009 Todd Teel, who pretended to be a paramedic for more than a year, treating an unknown number of patients, has been sentenced to probation. The Colorado District Attorney's office charged Teel, after forging a National Paramedic Certification card and impersonated a Paramedic. American Medical Response employed Teel, as a Paramedic later giving him the status as a senior medic where he was then in a position to train new AMR Medics.

Teel, who now lives in Wyoming, will serve two years probation. He will also reimburse his former employer for part of his wages and Medicaid services that were billed to taxpayers.

Teel who pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal impersonation in a Denver District Court. Judge Sheila Rappaport could have sentenced Teel to up to a year and a half in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

Teel was never a paramedic, but he played one in real life for 17 months treating patients in American Medical Response ambulances.

"Mr. Teel saw many, many patients in that time," First Assistant Attorney General George Codding said. "Their lives were literally in his hands."

The Colorado Attorney General's Office filed charges against Teel in October, five months after he was first exposed after an invetigative news report aired by Denver TV News Station report.

Teel faced multiple felony charges for allegedly forging his national paramedic certification card and impersonating a paramedic. He also faced a misdemeanor charge for the unauthorized practice of medicine.

Teel worked as a certified Paramedic for American Medical Response (AMR) and was exposed in December 2007, with a forged license. Court documents indicate he worked on calls to Denver and Longmont along with Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson Counties.

Todd Teel whom AMR employed as a credentialed Paramedic, Teel was not certified while working for AMR for 17 months. Teel was placed on leave when AMR discovered he was uncertified. Teel then resigned.

AMR did not report Teels crime's and actions to Denver Police or Prosecutors. Denver State Prosecutors started investigating the Denver Channel 9NEWS Investigative report that revealed Teel's actions, and AMR failure to notify authorities..

Attorney General John Suthers issued a written statement at the time that charges were filed stating "The practice of emergency medicine by uncertified individuals puts the sick and injured of Colorado at serious risk."

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, NREMT, said Teel forged a paper credential to indicate that he had received the required 1,200 hours, or two years, of training needed to be a paramedic.

The Attorney General’s office only had jurisdiction over Teel's work that involved Medicaid. Eighty-five such patient care cases were investigated. AMR reimbursed Medicaid for Teel's work that was billed to taxpayers. Investigators did not find any evidence in those select cases that Teel injured a patient in his care.

Teel's attorney, John Lee stated "Teel knew what he was doing," Lee also stated that "Teel had paramedic training in 1991 but never took formal exams to become licensed."

The Colorado Department of Health says Greenwood Village-based AMR should have checked Teel's documentation against state as well as National records, both of which are available online and would have revealed the forgery.

NREMT records show Teel was certified as an emergency medical technician (EMT), but not as a Paramedic.

When AMR discovered Teel's impersonation in June 2007, the company stated they had reviewed all patient care records for the Longmont area and "no concerns were found."

AMR said it did not verify Teel's Paramedic Certification because he was already a state certified EMT with a satisfactory work record. AMR has admitted that was an error and it deeply regretted the mistake.

Teel’s Attorney John Lee a "He enjoyed helping people," Lee said. "He lost a job that he loved and something he can never go back to."

AMR said it investigated all patient records involving Teel, but did not say if problems were found. The company has repeatedly refused to say if it would notify patients treated by the uncertified Paramedic.

The Colorado Department of Health said Greenwood Village-based AMR should have checked Teel's documentation against state or national records, both of which are available online and would have revealed the forgery.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians says Teel had an expired certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, but never even took the test to become a Paramedic.

Currently there have not been any civil law suits filed by anyone Teel treated while impersonating a Paramedic.

Lawsuit over Ambulance Engine

04-2009 Two Northwest Arkansas Ford dealers may find themselves in court playing the blame game.

City representatives filed on Friday a lawsuit in Benton County Circuit Court against Bob Maloney Ford-Mercury of Rogers, Hendren Ford of Gravette and Ford Motor Co. of Dearborn, Mich.

The lawsuit involves a Rogers Fire Department ambulance serviced first by Maloney then by Hendren and subsequently developed problems.

The city is asking for $15,000, the cost of the repair, according to the suit.

It's unclear who caused the problem, but city officials claim it wasn't a city employee and had to be one of the three Ford entities.

"It's unfortunate we had to file a lawsuit, but we have an ambulance we can't use and no one is stepping to the plate to take responsibility," said Ben Lipscomb, city attorney. Both dealers serviced the ambulance in the recent past. The ambulance was at Maloney Ford from Nov. 18 until Jan. 3, when a new head gasket was installed, according to documents provided by Fire Chief Tom Jenkins. Hendren serviced the ambulance Jan. 21-22 and again on Feb. 24, according to service documents. Hendren worked on the radiator and coolant system.

The ambulance developed problems shortly after being returned from Hendren in February, according to department records. A bolt from a bracket found its way into the number eight cylinder, said Jenkins. Damage to the ambulance as a result of the stray bolt amounts to $15,000, according to the lawsuit. The ambulance currently has about 53,400 miles, Jenkins said.

Both companies deny having anything to do with the bolt, Jenkins said.

"What you have is two entities pointing the finger at one another," Jenkins said.

Maloney Ford had the opportunity to cause the problem because they had the heads off the engine while they replaced the gasket, Jenkins said. However, the timing of the problem might point to Hendren because they serviced the ambulance right before it broke down, Jenkins said.

"We just don't see where we're responsible for this problem," said Bob Maloney, owner of Maloney Ford. "If we'd left the bolt in the engine when we worked on it, it would have developed problems before it did."

Kim Hendren doesn't feel it's his dealership's fault, either. "We've talked to our technicians and we don't feel the responsibility for this situation lies with us," Hendren said. Hendren said he wanted to do what was right and spoke about a conference between representatives from Maloney Ford, Hendren Ford and city officials on March 26.

Several resolutions were discussed at that meeting, Mayor Steve Womack said, adding, all of the resolutions involved some contribution from the city. "All I know, is that the taxpayers of Rogers are not going to pay for this," said Mayor Steve Womack. "This isn't our fault. Our people don't work on these vehicles."

All Fire Department vehicles are sent to a dealer for service — even oil changes — Jenkins said.

"We want the best people repairing and maintaining our vehicles," he said.

All that has to be proved by the city is the ambulance does not work through no fault of city employees and it was under warranty when it stopped working, Lipscomb said.

Lipscomb also named Ford Motor Co. in the suit, stating Ford "negligently manufactured, service and/or inspected the ambulance prior to sale and delivery." The ambulance, a 2004 F-350, was bought in May 2004 and was in service until February. The ambulance is being repaired by Springdale Ford, Womack said. Jenkins said a backup ambulance is in use until the unit is repaired.

The Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency in connection with the swine flu outbreak that has killed people in Mexico, Janet Napolitano, director of Homeland Security said today.

The number of cases confirmed in the United States by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now 20, including eight New York City high school students. Other cases are in Ohio, California, Texas and Kansas. Patients have ranged in age from 9 to over 50.

“As we look for swine flu, we are seeing more cases of swine flu and we expect to see more cases of swine flu," said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the CDC, during a White House press conference Sunday. "We view this more as a marathon." Napolitano said the emergency declaration is a warning, not an actual imminent emergency, similar to preparing for a hurricane.

New York health officials said more than 100 students at the St. Francis Preparatory School, in Queens, recently began suffering a fever, sore throat and aches and pains. Some of their relatives also have been ill.

Some St. Francis students had recently traveled to Mexico, The New York Times and New York Post reported Sunday.

The incubation period for this virus is 24 to 48 hour period. President Barack Obama recently traveled to Mexico but the president’s health was never in any danger, Brennan said.

President Barack Obama has received regular briefings from advisers on the swine flu outbreak and the White House readied guidance for Americans.

Source: CDC

Westchester County, NY 05-09 A former Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) who was employed by the New York Fire Department (FDNY) has been sentenced to six months in jail and four and one half years of probation after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

EMT Scott DeSimone, 36, of Fort Washington Ave., Hawthorne, was charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, two counts of first degree falsifying business records and one count of second degree insurance fraud.

On March 1, 2008 DeSimone, was operating a rented 2008 Mazda Tribute when he struck, Manuel Guaman Saca, who was walking on the side of the Road in Greenburgh. Saca was struck by DeSimone’s vehicle and died.

DeSimone a Licensed EMT at the time continued driving without stopping as well as failing to render aid and treatment. In addition DeSimone, failed to provide the required information and the defendant failed to report the accident to the nearest police station as soon as he was physically able to do so.

The Greenburgh police, after an extensive investigation that included tracing the various auto parts left behind at the scene, which led to both the identification and subsequent arrest of DeSimone.

05-09 New York Senator Charles Schumer introduced a bill Monday that he says would bring millions of dollars to the Capital Region's ambulance providers over the next decade. Schumer says despite a temporary boost in funding last year, ambulance providers in the Capital Region are about to take a big hit in Medicare money.

Last year's boost is set to expire at the end of this year.

Schumer says his "Medicare Ambulance Access Preservation Act" will keep that from happening by bringing nearly $10.5 million to the Capital Region's ambulance services over the next ten years.

Schumer says it will keep ambulances running with the latest technology and keep EMT's trained in how to use it.

"To have a well trained EMS worker get there quickly with the best equipment is really vital to people and when you have that happen across America, thousands and thousands more will live each year and live healthy lives than when you don't," the Senator said. The bill has already passed the House, and is expected to be voted on in the Senate this week.

Indiana 05-18-2009 The family of a flight nurse has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in connection with a medical helicopter crash that occurred after a charity event on August 31, 2008 in Burney, Indiana.

Sandra Pearson, 38, died after the rotors on a Bell 206 helicopter failed, causing the helicopter crash. Investigators say the rotors may have struck unmarked power transmission lines, or they may have failed on their own.

The helicopter was an air ambulance for Air Evac Lifeteam, operating out of Rush Memorial Hospital. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was leaving a community event at the Burney Fire Department.

The fatal accident lawsuit was filed on behalf of Pearson’s two children, aged 8 and 10, in Marion County Superior Court in Indiana on May 18. Defendants named in the suit include Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer, Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., the rotor manufacturer, Rush Memorial Hospital and Decatur County REMC, which owned the power lines.

The complaint contains multiple allegations of negligence that contributed to the crash, including indication that Bell manufactured defective rotors, that the hospital provided the helicopter with an unsafe flight path and did not conduct proper maintenance and that Rolls-Royce failed to warn operators of the helicopter that a noise that could be misconstrued as engine-related was actually a sign of a fatigue fracture in the main rotor.

According an interim helicopter crash report by the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB), witnesses saw parts of the rotor separate from the helicopter shortly after it left the fire department, sending the helicopter crashing to the ground. The blades were discovered, broken, on the ground about 200 yards from the wreckage. It is unclear whether the rotors struck nearby transmission lines which were unmarked, or whether the rotors failed with no outside interference. The NTSB noted that the helicopter was inspected 10 days before the fatal accident, and that a low rumble and vibration from the rear of the vehicle was detected that day.

Safety issues with air rescue vehicles have become an increasing concern after a rash of medical helicopter accidents left 20 dead last year, giving 2008 the worst annual record for EMS-related helicopter crashes.

In addition to Pearson, the Indiana crash also killed the helicopter pilot and another paramedic.

In September 2008, a Price George’s County, Maryland helicopter crash killed four people and critically injured another, and a June 2008 medical helicopter accident in Huntsville, Texas, killed another four.

A variety of causes have contributed to the helicopter crashes; including insufficient crew, unsafe operations and a lack of proper safety equipment, leading to calls for the FAA to more stringently enact and enforce safety measures for air rescue operations nationwide.

Detroit Michigan 05-26-2009 There's no more important function of the Detroit City Council than its annual crafting of a city budget, but there are plenty of questions about how much its vote today on the 2009-10 fiscal year spending plan will actually mean.

The council has been refining the budget from a recommendation made in April by then-Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr., but his loss at the polls this month leaves the council in the unprecedented situation of evaluating the proposal of someone no longer in that office.

Budget Director Pam Scales told the council Thursday that current Mayor Dave Bing "is not comfortable" with Cockrel's plan to cut wages 10% for mayoral appointees and nonunion workers, lay off 334 union employees and eliminate 509 vacant positions. She said Bing is looking for other savings. Scales' comments raised the ire of Cockrel, now council president. "What are some of those other ways?" he asked. "I want to be specific," Scales said. "I cannot be." Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel said Friday the expectation is that Bing will essentially let Cockrel's plan be approved and then offer budget amendments this summer. She said she has asked Bing for a letter clarifying his budget plans. The council essentially will adopt Cockrel's suggestions on layoffs, the elimination of vacancies and wage cuts -- with some big changes.

Bing spokeswoman Meagan Pitts said he will make few changes to the budget, but will request amendments throughout the fiscal year. One area of conflict could be the Department of Administrative Hearings, which handles blight tickets. The council plans to eliminate its funding and move the cases back to the 36th District Court, where they were previously handled. Councilwoman Brenda Jones said the so-called blight court is projected in the 2008-09 fiscal year to cost $1.3 million more to run than it will raise.

"We cannot continue to do business as usual," Jones said.

However, Bing "supports and would like to maintain the department," Pitts said, and might veto the plan to defund it. Another big change to Cockrel's budget is that 19 EMS workers would not be laid off. Council woman Alberta Tinsley-Talabi was responsible for getting $2.6 million in the budget for restoring those positions -- though she could not save 30 vacant EMS positions. Despite the high price tag, Tinsley-Talabi said EMS is a "highest priority."

The other major change was the restoration of $1.8 million to the council's operational budget. Each council office gets about $650,000 for its operations, and Sheila Cockrel said the money is needed to hire the high-quality people. Cockrel said now was not the time to cut back because the fundamental cuts to city government are yet to come. "Once you lose ground, you never get it back," she said.

Source Detroit Free Press

05-28-2009 Paden, Oklahoma, A reported dispute broke out on Highway 62, near Paden, after a OHP Trooper pulled over an ambulance that was transporting a Patient who was suffering from heat stoke and berated Paramedics a reported close call on the road.

The OHP alleges that one of the Paramedics on the video assaulted the trooper, but the assault was not caught on tape. The patients son who was riding in the ambulance right front seat stated "We're like trying to tell the guy, 'Dude, my mom is in the back,' and my stepdad was like, 'My wife is in the back. Can we do this at the hospital?'" said Kenyada Davis.

To Davis's credit he caught the altercation with his cell phone's camera. Davis said it all started because the ambulance failed to yield to OHP troopers, who were en route to a call along highway 62 in Paden.

Davis said the driver of the ambulance was trying to avoid hitting a car that slowed down and wasn't aware of troopers nearby until it was too late. "He slowed down, and as the car was getting over, that's when he passed us," Davis said. "I didn't hear him."

But after OHP troopers finished their official business, they pulled the Creek Nation ambulance over. One of the troopers chided Paul for failing to yield. Once the ambulance was pulled over, Davis pulled out his phone and shot video of the altercation.

The Okfuskee County District Attorney's office is reviewing all of the footage and could file criminal charges against the paramedic by the end of the week.

Sapulpa, Okla. June-05-2009 The Paramedic’s who while transporting a Patient were pulled over, by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper in May will not be charged, prosecutors said Friday.

In a statement released by Creek and Okfuskee County District Attorney Max Cook, he wrote that he hoped OHP would use the incident as a way to "open a dialogue about ways to forge good relationships with their partner agencies."

Cook said he will ask the OHP to release the trooper's dash-cam video of the incident in response to public interest.

OHP Trooper Daniel Martin alleged that Creek Nation Paramedic Maurice White Jr. acted aggressively toward him after Martin stopped his ambulance. Martin believed White's partner, Paul Franks, of raising his middle finger toward him. Franks denies ever making an obscene gesture toward the trooper.

Trooper Martin chased the ambulance down and pulled the unit over. Once Martin got out of his cruiser, he claims he was trying to talk to Franks when he saw White get out of the ambulance and slam the "door in a hostile manner."

Martin said White kept getting between them, despite repeatedly being told by Martin to back off. In his report, White claims the trooper bolted out of his car in a huff and yelled at Franks, "What do you mean flipping me off?"

White said he tried to explain to the trooper that they were taking a woman to a hospital and asked if they could continue the matter once they got there.

Martin said White kept getting in his way, and he finally tried to arrest on charges of obstructing an officer. That sparked the first of two scuffles as Martin said he tried to arrest White but the Paramedic threw up his arms to resist.

The trooper said only when White got back into the ambulance was he able to speak with Franks. Martin claims that Franks assured him he did not give the trooper the finger gesture and apologized for not yielding.

Martin said he then walked around to the passenger side of the ambulance where White was standing and another scuffle ensued, and Trooper Martin said White grabbed him around the neck, refusing to let go. Trooper Martin said he applied a choke hold on White's neck to release the grip.

OHP Trooper Martin said he told the paramedics to go to the hospital and he would follow. Martin said that if he were allowed to speak with Franks uninterrupted, the confrontation would not have happened.

Franks ultimately was given a written warning for failure to yield. White was not arrested at the hospital. The patient in the ambulance was treated at the hospital for heat exhaustion.

06-28-2009 Acadian Ambulance Service and Priority One EMS have joined forces to strengthen and increase the emergency medical services in Southeast Texas. Jerry Romero, vice president of operations, says the company has reached an agreement with Priority One EMS of Silsbee, Texas, and plans to assume the operations of Priority One EMS effective July 14, 2009. There will be no interruption of service, as all calls to Priority One EMS will be forwarded automatically to the Acadian Ambulance dispatch center.

David Andersen, owner of Priority One EMS, said, "We are working harmoniously with Acadian Ambulance throughout the next few weeks for a smooth transition. We have enjoyed serving the people of Southeast Texas communities and know we leave our customers and our employees in good hands with Acadian."

"Priority One EMS and its employees have our deep respect as a leader in EMS. We are excited to offer employment to Priority One EMS medical professionals to our team," said Romero. "All qualified Priority One EMS medics will be offered employment. Each employee hired will receive at least equal to, if not greater, salaries. Acadian is an "Employee Stock Ownership Plan" company with 75% of the company's stock owned by the employees. This agreement is a ‘win-win' for Acadian, Priority One EMS, the EMTs, our customers and the community at large," he said.

Acadian began operating in Texas in 2006 in Jefferson and Orange counties and in 2007 in Austin. After just one year in business in Austin, the Austin Chamber of Commerce selected Acadian Ambulance as one of the city's best and most admired companies for excellence in customer service. It was the only ambulance company nominated.

The company's history is rooted in ground and air ambulance service, and offers tremendous resources to Southeast Texas. In business for over 37 years, Acadian Ambulance Service provides 911 and non-emergency ambulance services under rigorous performance-based contracts for 38 counties and parishes in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Acadian employs more than 2,500 caring ambulance and support services employees.

Acadian has under its umbrella several other divisions. "We're not your standard ambulance company," said Romero, "and we are proud to offer Southeast Texas varied services from the Acadian Companies."

Acadian Monitoring Services provides Telehealth monitoring services for patients that receive care in the home; Acadian On Call offers personalized medical alarms for seniors; Acadian On-Watch provides central alarm monitoring services; and Acadian's Mobile Monitoring offers vehicle and asset tracking using GPS technology.

Safety Management Systems, already well known in Texas, offers a proactive solution to maintaining a safe work environment with safety, environmental and training services, as well as providing onsite medical services to the offshore industry.

"We are eager to provide the communities of Southeast Texas with prompt, professional, and courteous service, and look forward to the Priority One EMS and Acadian families joining together as one team," Romero said.

The American Ambulance Association has twice voted Acadian Ambulance Service as the best ambulance service in the nation by their Community Services Committee, the U.S. Senate honored Acadian with the U.S. Senate Innovation Award for being on the cutting edge of the EMS industry. Inc. magazine recognized Acadian for extraordinary performance in rescuing hurricane victims, and honored the company with their first annual Bernard A. Goldhirsch Courage Award.

Acadian Ambulance is among the 120 ambulance services in the country that has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. For accreditation and re-accreditation, Acadian voluntarily underwent an intensive process that included comprehensive documentation and on-site review by national experts in emergency medical services.

Romero said, "Accreditation signifies that ambulance services have met the ‘gold standard' determined by the ambulance industry to be essential in a modern emergency medical services provider."