EMS Week 2009: A Proud Partner in Your Community
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ACEP's 36th National EMS Week, May 17 – 23, is a time for medical providers and local community members to come together and celebrate and honor those who administer crucial prehospital care to patients out in the field.
To celebrate prehospital providers from across the nation, EMS1 is bringing you exclusive coverage this week on a number of current issues, centered around the theme, "EMS: A Proud Partner in Your Community."
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How to be a Proud
Partner in Your Community
By Marshall Gardner
American College of Emergency Physicians
Being a "Proud Partner in Your Community," this year's EMS Week theme, has a lot of responsibility. It not only means fulfilling ones obligations but includes sharing in a relationship. So, what are the obligations of EMS in a community? Full Story |
Top Ten Signs Your Agency
Isn't a Proud Community Partner
By Kelly Grayson
EMS1 Columnist
Normally I am alerted to the approach of EMS Week by the high pollen count and the sharp increase in drunken, sunburned revelers we pull from the area lakes and rivers about this time every year. Nothing says, "It's time to celebrate those heroes in EMS!" like a Budweiser-besotted redneck with a negative tooth-tattoo ratio. Full Story |
EMSC Day: Responses to Equestrian Injuries
By Robert K. Waddell
EMS1 Columnist
As my now 23-year-old daughter reminds me, "Dad, be nice to me as I will be the person who decides when your diaper will be changed!" Her comments strike home on many different levels — related especially to being sure we care for and about our children. EMSC Day should remind every EMS provider that we are responsible to ensure the next generation of responders is properly trained to care for the children they will encounter. Full Story |
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Our Community, Our Role
By Daniel Haynes
AMR-Monroe, La.
Every community has its "change agents" — activists dedicated to enhancing citizens' quality of life, often focused on those with the least resources.
Pete Turner of Monroe, Louisiana, is such an activist. He has been the executive director of the city's Boys and Girls Club for 40 years. Full Story |
Celebrate Your Successes in EMS Week
By Greg Friese
EMS1 Columnist
EMS work is not easy. If it was, anybody could do it. It can be messy, tiring, stressful and thankless. Although it doesn't always feel so, you are doing something important for people in need.
Part of the purpose of EMS Week is to celebrate your contributions of providing emergency medical response to your community. Even though I believe you should regularly celebrate your successes and accomplishments, take a few moments this week to accept the praise and credit you have earned. Full Story |
EMS Week: All Year Long
By Greg Friese
EMS1 Columnist
As you wind down your 2009 National EMS Week activities and celebrations, consider how you can celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of EMS all year long. Remember, EMS week has two purposes — appreciation of EMS providers and improving public awareness of EMS contributions.
Why should we confine our recognition to a set schedule?
Full Story |
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Tips for a successful EMS Week
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Hosting a Successful Open House
One of the best ways to invite the public to learn about EMS is by hosting an open house. Children, adults and seniors are curious about EMS, and would love to meet their local EMTs and paramedics. Full Story |
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EMS Mascots Make a Big Impression
Mascot suits are certainly expensive, but are also highly visible and provide instant identification in a crowd. Also, develop kid-friendly products that use your mascot character, like coloring books. Full Story |
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Use Your Brain to Cook Up Some Fun
There's no better way to interest older kids and teenagers in EMS than to gross them out. With gelatin brains, hearts and eyeballs, kids can hold a slippery, slimy organ in their own hands. Full Story |
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Building Community Partnerships
The EMS Week Planning Guide suggests community organizations you can partner with. EMS needs to work with other organizations in the community to leverage resources in tough economic times. Full Story |
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2009 Excellence in EMS Award Winner
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By Lt. Michael Morse, FF-EMT, Providence, R.I., Fire Department
The neighborhood where I spend much of my life appears at first look to be located in another country. The color of my skin makes it impossible for me to "fit in." My uniform allows me to mix freely with the people here. I am an ambassador, representing not only the Emergency Medical Division of the Providence Fire Department, but generations of immigrants as well.
People here look to us at their darkest hour. We respond, treat them with dignity and respect, and show them what makes America and the fire service great. Regardless of income, race, religious or sexual preference, we respond. Our uniforms are not symbols of oppressive regimes, rather a beacon of hope in a sometimes frightening world.
Years ago I began working in this area. I have seen many changes. At first I felt like an outsider, it was obvious that I didn't belong. I was treated differently from the people who lived in the neighborhood. They seemed to tolerate my presence, but patiently waited for me to go. Full Story
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Featured Submissions: 2009 Excellence in EMS Award Competition
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Pint-sized Peanut Gallery
By Meris Shuwarger, Volunteer Rescue Squad
Isle of Wight, Va.
"So," she says cynically, "you drive an ambulance?"
"Yep, I drive it and I help the patients in the back, too," I reply with a smile.
"You?"
"Uh... yes," I say, raising an eyebrow.
"But you're a girl."
"I sure am, but you know what?"
"What?"
"I know some girls who drive the ambulance better than the boys they work with."
"No way!"
Full Story |
The Two Large Trees on St. Ignatius Drive
By Saruhan Hatipoglu, EMT-B
Waldorf, Md.
Abraham Lincoln once said that character was like a tree and reputation its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it and the tree is the real thing. As I started going to the Waldorf EMS Station 3 in Maryland, more often as a volunteer EMT-B, I began to think more frequently what "character" means in broader concepts. Full Story |
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Proud to be Partners
By April Saling, EMT-B
NW Ohio
Partners.
To the public, the word conjures up thoughts of spouses and business associates. In EMS we think of our partner as the person who always has your back. That person you work with, day in day out. The one you learn from, and who learns from you. One does not normally think of EMS and hospice as partners, working together in the community. Full Story |
My Mission? To Be There...
By Tammy Engel
NREMT-B, EMT Instructor
Chatfield, Minn., Ambulance Service
I was first exposed to EMT life at the age of 13, when I helped both of my parents study to be EMTs for our local volunteer ambulance service. Now, here I am, 25 years later, having 14 years on the crew and over six years of teaching under my belt. Full Story |
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