iaff 2449

Published by the Tidewater EMS Council and Medical Transport, L.L.C. — Dedicated to Emergency Medical Services Vol. 32 No. 2 March / April 2015
CISM and Beyond Conference a Success!
“T
aking Care of our Own:CISM and Beyond”, an educational event organized by the
Tidewater CISM Team with support by a grant from the Virginia Department of Health,
Office of EMS, was held at the Chesapeake Marriott February 5 through 7, 2015. Over
100 participants from Virginia and several other states attended the three day event. The
educational event was a success as shared by many of the attendees.
Several educational tracts were offered. The Individual and Group Crisis Intervention
combination course was taught over the three days. Two day courses on Compassion
Fatigue; Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention; and Grief Following Trauma
were popular choices. One day classes on Psychological First Aid and Stress Management/
π Pictured from left to right, Event Educators Pamela York Frazier,
Working Wounded were available and well received. Instructors from the International
Don Martin, Sherry Todd & Merrill Reese. Not pictured Benjamin
Critical Incident Stress Foundation and the Green Cross taught the classes and brought
Keyes and resource instructors Deborah Linnell & Ellen Vest.
their expertise to the sessions.
Friday night immediately following close of classes
a networking event was held privately in the hotel
restaurant. Casino money was provided to attendees
and additional casino money could be purchased as
a donation to the Tidewater CISM Team to be used
for future educational events. Those who chose not
to play table games could convert their money into
tickets that were entered into drawings for several
Recognize the dedication and
impressive gift baskets and artwork. It was a fun
devotion of your fellow EMS
evening, filled with laughs and easy conversation.
providers and those who support
the EMS system by nominating
Thank you to the Tidewater EMS Councils Platisomeone today for a Regional
num Partners:
EMS Council Award!
Sentara Healthcare, Medical Transport LLC.
and Bon Secours Virginia Emergency Services, in
addition to the RSAF grant, for helping to make this 3
Submit a nomination in one of the following award
day educational event possible.
categories
for the 2015 TEMS Regional EMS Awards:
Discussions are already underway for future
CISM Team sponsored educational events. For more
•Excellence in EMS
•Prehospital Provider
information on this educational event or on how to
•Prehospital Educator
•EMS Telecommunications Dispatcher
become a member of the Tidewater CISM team please
•EMS
Agency
•Contribution to EMS Health & Safety
contact Wendi Ambrose at ambrose@vaems.org
•Contribution to EMS for Children
•Nurse with Contribution to EMS
† Final day of CISM GRIN class, attendees posed for a group picture during a break.
•Physician with Contribution to EMS •$1,000 Scholarship - Contribution to
Recognize Excellence in
Emergency Medical Services
•EMS Administrator
EMS by a High School Senior
Visit www.tidewaterems.org/awards to submit your nominations.
Nominations are due by May 17, 2015.
For questions contact Wendi Ambrose at ambrose@vaems.org.
Register now for the
Nursing Education E Tidewater EM
xpo ww S and Emerge
ncy
w.tidew
aterems.org/expo.
Find out more about the regional and state award programs at
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/ProviderResources/GovernorAwards/index.htm.
The Educator’s Corner
Stroke? Check the Glucose!
By: Jerry W. Sourbeer, Jr., BS, NRP • Captain, Virginia Beach EMS
It can be difficult to provide high-quality patient care without a thorough,
comprehensive assessment. The components of a complete assessment include,
but are not limited to, a primary assessment and a full secondary assessment with
a history, physical exam and vital signs. When it comes to glucometry, checking
the patient’s blood glucose level is not one of the standard vital signs. “Vital signs,”
as you have probably noted, is not mentioned in the TEMS protocols because it
is expected that vital signs will be taken on every patient. Glucometry, however,
is specifically mentioned in the TEMS protocols because it is not to be performed
on every patient and only on patients for which hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia is a
possibility, (e.g., altered mental status, cerebral vascular accident, seizure, etc.). It is
critical to check the blood glucose level of these patients because these conditions
can be caused by hypoglycemia, which can be both identified and treated rapidly. A
prompt diagnosis of hypoglycemia is imperative because glucose is the only source
of energy for the brain and, without glucose, brain cells will begin to malfunction, shut
down and eventually die.
According to Brady’s Prehospital Emergency Care (10th edition), “any patient
presenting with sudden weakness of the face, hand, arm, or leg [hemiparesis]; trouble
speaking or stuttering [dysarthria]; difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; problem
walking or a loss of balance or coordination [ataxia]; confusion; dizziness; or a sudden
onset of a severe headache should be suspected of having suffered a stroke.” Many
of these signs and symptoms, particularly mental status changes, dizziness, and
neurological deficits such as hemiparesis and dysarthria, can be caused by both CVAs
and hypoglycemia.
Being able to differentiate these conditions can dramatically change the direction
of the planned patient care. I will present you with a scenario. Your unit is dispatched
for a possible stroke and you arrive on the scene and the first responder tells you the
family was driving down the road when they witnessed the patient have a onset of
confusion and dysarthria. The first responder informs you the patient is obviously
having a stroke and you plan to initiate rapid transport to the hospital with the use
of lights and siren to ensure your patient will fall within the window for fibrinolytics
(3-4.5 hours from time of onset), should the patient meet the criteria. You hurriedly
question the family member for the exact time of onset, the list of signs/symptoms,
the presence of any risk factors for stroke, any history of stroke or new-onset
dysrhythmias, and a list of medications. You attempt to reassure the nervous family
member and head to the ambulance where your fellow crew members have taken
the patient. Being the diligent provider that you are, you check the patient’s blood
glucose level and determine the patient is hypoglycemic. Accordingly, you know this
is an easily treatable condition and you determine there is no longer a need to rush
to the hospital. You ask a crew member to update the family member regarding
the patient’s hypoglycemic status and the now-relieved family member tells you the
patient’s glucose level hasn’t previously dropped. You establish an IV and administer
50% dextrose per TEMS protocol. The patient is now alert, oriented, without complaint
and thankful for your thorough assessment and care. Without a known cause of
hypoglycemia, you convince the patient to be evaluated at the Emergency Department
and you begin a nice, easy, non-emergent transport to the hospital.
2
The “7” Capabilities of the
HRMMST
By: David C. Long, HRMMRS Program Manager
Continuing in our series describing the
7 capabilities of the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Strike Team (HRMMST),
this article highlights the team’s warm zone
triage, decontamination, and monitoring
and detection capabilities. The HRMMST
is available to all Hampton Roads’ public safety agencies and
healthcare facilities when mass casualty support is required.
As discussed in the last edition of the RESPONSE, one
important capability of the Metropolitan Medical Response
System (MMRS) is to respond to a terrorist attack involving
chemical weapons; specifically, nerve agents. In addition to the
administration of nerve agent antidote, it is critically important
that victims exposed to nerve agents are decontaminated.
HRMMST members are trained to provide WARM ZONE
triage of, and lifesaving interventions to, victims exposed to
WMD agents and toxic industrial chemicals. Interventions
include antidote administration, airway management and
hemorrhage control. The HRMMST is also trained and
equipped to operate a “decontamination corridor.”
The decontamination corridor is a transition area from
the HOT ZONE to WARM ZONE, an undress area, a
decontamination area, a redress area, and finally a transition
area from WARM ZONE to COLD ZONE. All HRMMST
members have been trained in donning and doffing personal
protective equipment with respiratory protection ranging from
Level IV ensembles through Level II ensembles (IAW NFPA
1994) using N95, PAPR and SCBA respirators. The team is
equipped with four ASAP Shelters, which serve as undress and
redress facilities. Additionally, the HRMMST deploys a TVI
three-lane decontamination shelter (male ambulatory, nonambulatory, and female ambulatory). The decontamination
corridor is supplemented with barrier fencing, lighting, and a
flash water heater and propane heat for the undress/redress
facilities. Of significance, the HRMMST is equipped with the
capabilities to provide both WET and DRY decontamination.
The HRMMST uses FIBERTECT Dry Decon wipes/pads,
which are also used by the military.
The HRMMST is also equipped with monitoring and
detection equipment used expressly for the purpose of
identifying whether a victim is “clean” or “dirty”. Less
emphasis is placed on recognition of the contaminate. The
HRMMST operates pH paper, M8 paper, Photo Ionization
Detectors (PID), AP2Cs, Gamma Rae dosimeters, Ludlum
Response Kits, and Radiological Portal Monitors.
continued on page 7
IAFF LOCAL 2449
www.iaff2449.org
Special points of
interest:
• Monthly CE Program for
BLS and ALS providers
• 3 hours per session
CHESAPEAKE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS
EMS Excellence
Education Series
The EEE Series
• Taught in a flip/flop
format
• Meets National Registry
and Virginia CE
requirements
• Open to any providers in
the region
• FREE !!!!
January—June
2015
March 17th—Pediatric
Assessments
March 18th—
Jinxed and Jumbled Joints
April 21st and/or 22nd
On the Defense: EMS
Mock Trial
May 19th and/or 20th
Handle with Care: Crisis
Intervention Skills for EMS
June: 16th and/or 17th
Bird is the Word!
Trauma and Aeromedical
Operations
The Chesapeake Professional
Firefighters, IAFF Local 2449,
is proud to announce the
EMS Excellence Education
Series.
The EEE series is a monthly
direct delivery Continuing
Education program for any
EMS providers in the region
looking for EMS CE in a fun,
engaging, challenging, and
participatory environment.
Subject matter experts and
guest speakers will ensure
timely and high quality information is presented.
Chesapeake Fire
Gary Burke / 673-8741
Eastern Shore
Hollye Carpenter / 678-0411
Virginia and National Registry
CE are available for both Basic
Life Support and Advanced Life
Support Providers.
Franklin
Tim Dunn / 562-8581
Classes will be held at the Chesapeake Fraternal Order of Police
Lodge but may occasionally use
other venues in order to meet
educational objectives.
Isle of Wight Rescue
Stephen Haige / 357-2587
HRMMRS
Judy Shuck / 963-0632
Classes are from 1800—2100
hours.
Nansemond - Suffolk Rescue
Doug Schneider / 539-6870
Classes are free to all providers.
Chesapeake Professional
Firefighters
Local 2449
Second quarter preview
April: On the Defense
To register for any classes or
for more information, contact:
May: Handle with Care
emsrecert@gmail.com
June: Bird is the word
Training
Contacts
Or use the doodle link below to
register:
http://
doodle.com/8bu5g6yngvqxffxe
The Center For EMS Training
Bobby Ward / 465-0100
Medical Transport LLC
Daniel Green / 962-6813
Norfolk Fire/Rescue
Robert Brant / 441-5252 x304
NorthStar First Response
Ashley Staley / 410-7518
Portsmouth Fire Rescue
Amy Ward / 393-8123
Southside Regional Fire Academy (SRFA)
Janet McDaniel / 393-8155
Rescue Squad Assistance Fund Grants Due March 16th
Special Event Providers
Kevin Renshaw / 284-1786
RSAF Grants Program
Suffolk Fire
Ryan Praither / 514-4546
The Financial Assistance for Emergency Medical Services Grants Program, known as the Rescue Squad
Assistance Fund (RSAF) Grant Program is a multi-million dollar grant program for Virginia non-profit EMS
agencies and organizations. Items eligible for funding include EMS equipment and vehicles, computers, EMS
management programs, courses/classes and projects benefiting the recruitment and retention of EMS members.
RSAF grants are generally awarded on a 50/50 basis with the agency agreeing to provide 50% of the cost of
the item. Traditionally, items such as defibrillators (AED’s), extrication equipment, ambulances, re-chassis,
radios and training equipment have been funded.
The next RSAF Grants Applications are due in the Virginia Office of EMS by 5:00 p.m.
Monday March 16, 2015. Applicants must use the electronic application EMS-Grant Information
Funding Tool (E-Gift). OEMS continues to actively solicit grants for the Special Projects and
Emergency Operations Response categories.
The Tidewater EMS Council staff stands ready to assist individual EMS agencies with grant applications.
If your agency would like the staff to review your application prior to submission, please contact the
TEMS office at 757-963-0632 or e-mail coulling@vaems.org. Assistance is also available from the
Virginia Office of EMS website at http://www.vdh.state.va.us/OEMS/Agency/Grants/index.htm
TCC VA. Beach Campus
Jason Ambrose / 822-7335
TCLS - CPR, First Aid
Gordon Degges / 446-5926
TCLS - ACLS/PALS
Tom Mingin / 446-5993
TEMS
Jay Porter / 963-0632
Virginia Beach
John Bianco
385-5002
3
NIMS:
ICS – 300 & ICS – 400
Courses
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
These
courses
are
recommended
for
supervisory level personnel assigned
to the Fire Service, Emergency Medical
Services, Law Enforcement, Emergency
Management, Public Health, Public
Works and Social Services. Key
personnel from the Medical Reserve
Corps, CERT, American Red Cross and
other VOAD and disaster
response organizations are
also encouraged to attend.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:
Theses 2-day courses are
VDEM approved and taught by certified
instructors. The courses are free to
students and student materials are
provided. The parking is free. Classes
run from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
PREREQUISITES: Student in both
courses must complete ICS 100, 200,
700 & 800. ICS-400 students must
also complete the ICS-300 course.
All prerequisites must be completed
before the start of the course.
2015 COURSE DATES
ICS 300 COURSES:
June 24-25; October 28-29
ICS 400 COURSES:
April 22-23; August 26-27; December 15-16
To Register:
Go to the Training Calendar at:
www.tidewaterems.org
Or call (757) 963-0632
Course Location
Tidewater EMS Council
1104 Madison Plaza
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 963-0632
4
You Just Never Know
By: Lynette Dimitry , VBEMS-EMT
Our day started out like any other day on the ambulance. We had been
steadily running calls throughout the day when after 1500 we received a call for
a 68 year old female having breathing difficulty. The co-responding paramedic
indicated that she had been to the address on previous occasions to treat a
different patient. Upon our arrival, we found an engine company obtaining
vital signs as well as speaking with the patient, family members and a home
health aide. The aide stated that while she was there for the patient’s husband,
she had never seen the woman look this way. Our patient was sitting in the
tripod position, gray in color and breathing nearly 40 times per minute. She
was speaking in broken sentences and had junky lung sounds. However, she
was adamant about not going to the hospital. The patient kept saying that if
she could just sleep she would be okay, and that there was no reason to go to
the emergency room. We cleared the firefighters, but continued to work to
convince the patient to go to the hospital.
I was sitting on the couch next to the patient with my hand on her back, and
our medic was crouched in front her. My other partner was in the next room
preparing the stretcher. We remained on the scene for another 20 minutes
trying to convince the patient to come with us. Family members and the home
health aide also tried to convince her. The patient talked to us calmly and even
laughed at one point. Then she did something totally unexpected. The patient
reached under the couch while stating, “I’m going to do to you what I would do
to a robber.” She then proceeded to pull out a holstered pistol. Her left hand
was on the butt of the gun, and the holster was in her right hand. The medic
and I immediately left the room as she started to withdraw the gun from the
holster. We grabbed our other crewmember on the way out the front door.
Once outside, we ran to safety on the far side of the ambulance and called
for police assistance. Once we caught our breath, we boarded the ambulance
and cleared the scene to await the police. When officers arrived, we briefed
them on what happened, including the patient’s comments and description of
the weapon. The patient still had the gun when officers entered the house.
They retrieved the weapon, a loaded revolver, and gave us clearance to come
back inside. Ultimately, we completed a patient refusal and returned to service.
The patient’s family took the gun and any additional weapons out of the home.
We wanted to share our story so that others realize everything can change
in seconds. Even though you have been to a certain address numerous times,
never let your guard down to possible dangers to you and your crew. Situational
awareness is critical on every incident. Keep an eye out for hazards and know
where your exits are at all times. When danger presents, leave immediately.
In this case, we didn’t need to stick around to see the type of gun or how far out
of the holster it came. Seeing a gun in the patient’s hand was enough for us.
Stay vigilant and stay safe out there.
Virginia Public Safety
Dive Conference
March 30 – April 3
2015
Portsmouth Police Training Division
309 Columbia Street •Portsmouth, VA 23704
Free of charge for the first 50 registered!
Thank You Ms. Lorna Ramsey
By: Thomas G. Calogrides Jr., Dean of Health Professions, Tidewater Community College
It is with great pleasure and some
sadness that I take this opportunity
to write on behalf Ms. Lorna J.
Ramsey as she transitions from
“EMS educator” and moves into
“retirement mode”. I have known
Ms. Ramsey in several capacities
for over 20 years. At times, Lorna
has been my instructor, mentor,
supervisor, employee, and my
partner. Throughout this time, she
has always been and remains my
professional colleague, and a most
respected friend. As many readers of the Response have worked
with and/or been educated through Ms. Ramsey, I thought some
might appreciate some highlights of her career.
I first met Ms. Ramsey in the early 1990’s, as I was both a young
man and rather new to the field of EMS. By this time, Ms. Ramsey
was in the process of retiring as an Officer in the United States
Navy and was well on track to becoming a most admired EMS and
healthcare professional.
In the mid 1980’s, LCDR Ramsey (Ret.) was assigned as the
Program Director of the Life Support Division, Staff Education
&Training at Naval Medical Center-Portsmouth, Virginia. At this
point in her career, Ms. Ramsey was already a senior Nurse Corps
Officer, an experienced paramedic practicing with the EMS system
in Va. Beach, and part of the core faculty teaching classes hosted
at the TEMS office in the “Old Days”. In a coincidence of time,
the American Heart Association’s BLS, ACLS, and PALS programs
were gaining recognition in the U.S. and quickly becoming the
standard of care for resuscitative medicine. As LCDR Ramsey
(Ret.) served as the Officer in Charge of Life Support Training,
she had the opportunity to become an instructor and ultimately
regional faculty in each of these disciplines (BLS, ACLS, & PALS)
representing the U.S. Navy. This was a rare opportunity for nonphysicians in those days.
At this point in her career, Ms. Ramsey was an active paramedic
providing patient care and teaching EMS in her civilian role. She
was simultaneously “in-charge” of some of the most advanced
resuscitative medical education being conducted in the Navy. Ms.
Ramsey looked for opportunities to integrate civilian physicians
and EMS providers into military training. Through the sharing
of these resources and knowledge, scores of civilian medical
providers obtained training as both providers and instructors in
these programs. The value of this knowledge/resource sharing
cannot be overstated. This simple act, laid the foundation for
a paradigm shift in EMS education throughout the region for
countless future students and instructors to follow.
As Ms. Ramsey transitioned out of the Navy (following a last
deployment to Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War) she landed
as the EMS Program Director at TCC. Ms. Ramsey’s tenure in this
position has consistently demonstrated a work ethic second to none
and an attitude that “we are here to serve the medical needs of the
community/fire-EMS agencies”. Ms. Ramsey would do everything
possible to meet this request. This can be validated through teaching and
coordination of ALS classes in Va. Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport
News, the Eastern Shore (several locations), Suffolk, Portsmouth, and
Franklin at various times over the last 20 plus years.
Working as the EMS program director at TCC, Ms. Ramsey can claim
some of the following significant accomplishments:
œAt a time when the Cardiac Technician was the advanced EMS
standard of care for many agencies, Ms. Ramsey made it possible to
move that education to the paramedic level throughout all of TEMS
and many parts of PEMS.
œMs. Ramsey’s intrusive and continued mentoring & support have
helped develop countless EMS educators and any number of fire/
EMS senior ranking officers advocating for patient care today.
œMs. Ramsey has served on numerous committees and been called
on as a subject matter expert on EMS education related or patient
care protocols by the region and the state Office of EMS on countless
occasions over the years.
œMs. Ramsey has helped to mentor and propel numerous EMS
professionals into the fields of nursing, PA/NP, and medical school. At
least two of these individuals now specialize in Emergency Medicine
and are EMS agency OMDs. These are Dr. Powers of Blacksburg, VA
and Dr. Martin of Va. Beach, Va. Today, Dr. Martin also serves the
President of TEMS.
œBased on a request from U.S. Naval Special Warfare Units, Ms.
Ramsey developed an “Accelerated Paramedic” program in the
mid-1990s. Today this program continues to flourish, though many
civilians now use this educational path as an option.
œDuring the late 1980s – early 2000s, Ms. Ramsey served as a part-time
nurse in the ER at Sentara Va. Beach General Hospital. She was also
a member of the following rescue squads in Va. Beach: Kempsville
Volunteer Rescue Squad, Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad, and Virginia
Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad.
œMs. Ramsey was among the very first of female providers to ever
stand-duty overnight at one agency.
The words written above only represent the “smallest snapshot” of
Ms. Ramsey’s contribution to EMS in the region and in Virginia. She has
provided the most influential changes to the quality patient care provided
in the Commonwealth of Virginia over the last several decades.
On more of a personal note, I am lucky to be able to address Lorna
as a trusted and respected friend. She enjoys a positive and loving
relationship with her family and friends and in my opinion; she definitely
exemplifies the qualities of a pillar within her personal and professional
community.
As she makes this transition, Please wish her many years of happiness
in retirement. I also hope she opts to continue sharing her knowledge of
EMS and education with the rest of us in some capacity.
Find EMS news, classes, meetings and resources at
www.tidewaterems.org
Join the free Tidewater EMS electronic mailing list.
Visit the website and click “Listserve”
5
GET CEUS! And More! Register Now! www.tidewaterems.org/expo
Tidewater EMS and Emergency Nursing Education Expo
March 19-22, 2015 • Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center • Suffolk, VA
BLS, ALS and Nursing
Continuing Ed
EMS and Nursing
Vendors
Hands On Skills
Networking
Funding made possible by a grant from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of EMS and Platinum Partners Sentara, Medical Transport, LLC and Bon Secours.
Celebrity appearances and speakers subject to change.
6
The “7” Capabilities of the HRMMST
continued from page 3
Finally, the HRMMST, in cooperation with the
Southside and Peninsula Regional Hazardous
Materials Teams and area hospitals, developed a
regional Mass Casualty Decontamination Guide.
The guide provides a concise reference to set up and
execute mass decontamination, align terminology and operating procedures among
public safety agencies and healthcare facilities.
The HRMMST is positioned to supplement the capabilities of the regional
hazardous materials teams and healthcare facilities in responding to a WMD/TIC
incident. In the next edition of Response, we will review the team’s medical casualty
management and patient movement coordination capabilities.
For more information contact David Long, 757 963-0632, dlong@vaems.org.
New Rescue Squad Station Serves Large
Portion of Isle of Wight County
By: Jim Chandler
A ribbon cutting and open house in January capped a multi-year, $4.5 million planning and
construction of the new Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad building.
Located just outside of the town of Smithfield at 13080 Great Springs Road, the new building
houses five ALS ambulances, one BLS support vehicle, one ALS zone car and one rehab
truck. The building also includes 10 sleep rooms, a large training room, a communication
room, a meeting room, a conference room, various offices, a kitchen and lounge area to
accommodate the squad’s 85 volunteer members plus county career staff and the community.
The Isle of Wight squad typically responds to over 2200 calls for service annually, including
nearly 50 standby events, from sporting events to the many festivals held in the Town of
Smithfield. The squad serves to the Surry county line in a west direction, to the Southampton
County line in a southwest direction, to the Isle of Wight Courthouse in the south, and to the
City of Suffolk line in the east, including all of the Town of Smithfield. With the exception of
the Carrollton Fire District the squad covers the northern portions of the county.
The rescue squad staffs a minimum of two ALS ambulances in the daytime and evening
hours, with three staffed on a regular basis according to rescue squad chief J. Brian Carroll.
During the overnight the crew staffs one ALS ambulance and one ALS zone car. Vehicle
manning includes both volunteer and career staff with a monthly average of 50% blended
crews (volunteer/career) on calls with the remainder covered by either all volunteer
crews or all paid crews. The squad’s response standard is 90 seconds out the door with an
appropriate staffed medic 90% of the time.
“We pride ourselves on the working relationship that we have built as a combined volunteer/
paid department and that is displayed daily by the number of calls that are run by blended
crews,” said Chief Carroll.
The training facility was dedicated to Dr. Joel Michael, the squad’s medical director who
has served in that post for nearly twenty years and remains active. Carroll explains that as it
was Dr. Michael’s vision that through training the squad could recruit and retain volunteers
which is considered vital to their success as a volunteer agency.
The training room will hold up to 80 people and can be broken into three small rooms or in
half with portable walls. The squad’s training officer and instructors are working towards
the goal of receiving accreditation for the training facility.
“It’s our goal to be able to teach ALS classes in the county, a service that is very needed in
this region and to reach that goal in 24 months if possible,” said Carroll.
Squad instructors are currently teaching EMT classes this winter/spring and plan a second
class in the fall. They teach monthly CPR plus PALS, ACLS, ITLS, EVOC and enough CEU
hours to allow each provider the opportunity to recertify annually. The squad hopes to be
able to sponsor a broad range of training including boater safety classes as well as DFP
classes according to Carroll.
The training room is also available to the public for consideration of use upon request. In
addition the building has a meeting room that will seat 32 persons and a conference room
that will seat 12 persons all of which are equipped with state of the art AV equipment.
A helipad on site includes both LED and IR lighting and will have an official FAA designation
once final approval is given. The pad was designed with the help of the Nightingale staff and
will be the only FAA approved site at a public safety facility in the county.
The squad dedicated their meeting room to
Dr. Peter Carlson who started a recruitment
program with Christopher Newport
University about 12 years ago and continues
today. This program allows students to join
the squad, attend trainings and earn college
credits while doing so. The new building
includes a work station area for students to
allow them a quiet area and computer access
while at the squad.
“This has been vital to our recruitment
program,” said Carroll. “We routinely have
20-25 college students on our roster.”
Chief Brian Carroll invites people to stop
by and visit the facility at any time and to
visit their website, www.IWVRS.com, for
information on the squad, requirements for
membership, training room request form,
calendar of events and trainings and much
more.
“Our doors are open and we welcome
providers to contact our instructors and to
join us anytime to obtain CEU hours,” adds
Carroll.
7
Tidewater EMS Council, Inc.
1104 Madison Plaza, Suite 101
Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
CISM and Beyond Conference a Success!
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
The “7” Capabilities of the HRMMST
You Just Never Know
PA I D
Thank You Ms. Lorna Ramsey
New Rescue Squad Station Ser ves Large Portion of Isle of Wight County
NORFOLK, VA.
PERMIT NO. 2325
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
RESPONSE is published by the Tidewater Emergency
Medical Services Council with financial support from
Medical Transport, LLC and the Virginia Office of
Emergency Medical Services. Should you wish to be placed
on our mailing list, or have any editorial comments,
please write to:
RESPONSE, Tidewater EMS Council
1104 Madison Plaza, Suite 101 • Chesapeake, VA 23320
E-Mail: tidewater@vaems.org
Website: www.TidewaterEMS.org
President: Stewart W. Martin, MD
Executive Director: James M. Chandler, CAE
Editor: Wendi Ambrose
NEWS BRIEFS
Recently ALS Sanctioned Providers in the region:
EMT-I: John Atiyeh, Scott Maynard and Erica
Waldron. EMT-P: John Howard, Jason Jones,
Amanda Rushing, Nicholas Widder and Alex
Witte. Congratulations to all!!!!
πKathy Colantuono, EVHC Mitigation and
Recovery Coordinator and David Long, HRMMRS
Program Manager, demonstrate donning and
inspection of Level IV PPE for a Metropolitan
Medical Strike Team training video being
produced by Bob Anderson Productions for the
MMRS program.
√ Twenty-four candidates graduated from a Virginia
Office of EMS Education Coordinator Institute conducted
January 24-28 at the Tidewater EMS Council. Twelve of
the candidates possessed fire instructor certification or
had a masters degree in education and were eligible
to opt out of the education part of the program.
EMS providers interested in becoming an education
coordinator can find more information at www.vdh.
virginia.gov/OEMS/Training/InstructorResources.htm
in the box with the green header titled “EMS Education
Coordinator Program.”
The Eastern Virginia Healthcare Coalition
elected its Executive Council in December
and February. They are John Cooke, Western
Tidewater Public Health District Emergency
Coordinator; Michael Player, Executive Director
for the Peninsula EMS Council; Mark Rath,
Director of Emergency Management for Riverside
Health System; Cheryl Deschaine, Director of
Emergency Management for Children’s Hospital
of the Kings’ Daughters; and Rachel HogmireLowther, Sentara Careplex Hospital. The group
is tasked with the oversight of the coalition grant
budget and projects, as well as, working on the
overall healthcare coalition resiliency strategy
and sustainment.
EMS Week is May 17-23. To assist with
planning these events please view the
following link- www.acep.org/emsweek/