EMS_Week

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This Page was Updated: May 22, 2013

EMS Week Proclamation

To designate the Week of May 19th-25th, 2013, as Emergency Medical Services Week

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 consists 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; now

THEREFORE, I [name, title, city, state] in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 19th-25th, 2013, as

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK

With the theme, EMS: More Than A Job. A Calling, I 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.

"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 MANY DANGER'S FACED IN EMS

DAVES EMS HEADQUARTERS

CELEBRATING OUR EMS HERO'S

40th EMS Week Celebration May 19-25 2013

Ethan Lynn Amsbaugh of Priority Response Ambulance, Mount Union, PA, who died in the line of duty on June 2, 2012 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision

Ruben Berrios of FDNY EMS, Brooklyn, NY, who died in the line of duty on December 10, 2012 of complications from working 9-11 WTC site

Luis Bonilla of Mayo Organ Transplant Team, Rochester, MN, who died in the line of duty on December 26, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident

Peter P. Carbonneau of Van Buren Ambulance Service, Van Buren, ME, who died in the line of duty on April 8, 2012 of a on-duty cardiac event

James M. "Jim" Dillow of REACT, Rockford, IL, who died in the line of duty on December 10, 2012 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident

Gene Grell of Mercy Air Med/Med-Trans, Mason City, IA, who died in the line of duty on January 2, 2013 of injuries sustanined in a medical aviation accident

Billie J. Grills of Carter County EMS, Grayson, KY, who died in the line of duty on November 11, 1986 of an intercerebral hemorrhage while on-duty

David Hines of Mayo Organ Transplant Team, Rochester, MN, who died in the line of duty on December 26, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident

Karen Marie Hollis of REACT, Rockford, IL, who died in the line of duty on December 10, 2012 of injuries sustanined in a medical aviation accident

Justin Michael Hueston of Vernon County Ambulance District, Nevada, MO, who died in the line of duty on September 25, 2012 of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision

Shell Lair-Langenbau of Mercy Air Med, Mason City, IA, who died in the line of duty on January 2, 2013 of injuries sustanined in a medical aviation accident

Andrew H. "Andy" Olesen of REACT, Rockford, IL, who died in the line of duty on December 10, 2012 of injuries sustanined in a medical aviation accident

Russell Piehl of Mercy Air Med, Mason City, IA, who died in the line of duty on January 2, 2013 of injuries sustanined in a medical aviation accident

David Restuccio of LIJ/Staten Island University Hospital EMS, Staten Island, NY, who died in the line of duty on August 27, 2012 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision

Joseph V. Schiumo of FDNY EMS, Brooklyn, NY, who died in the line of duty on December 9, 2012 of complications from working 9-11 WTC site

Ray Shriver of Teton County Sheriff's Search & Rescue, Jackson, WY, who died in the line of duty on February 15, 2011 of on injuries sustained in a SAR aviation accident

E. Hoke Smith of Mayo Organ Transplant Team, Rochester, MN, who died in the line of duty on December 26, 2011 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident

Timothy Kyle Southern of Priority Patient Transport, Harrisonburg, VA, who died in the line of duty on January 6, 2012 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision

Joshua A. Weissman of Alexandria Fire Department, Alexandria, VA, who died in the line of duty on February 9, 2012 of injuries sustained in a fall from a bridge while operating at the scene of an MVC

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 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) successful (Kouwenhoven)

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

1979 Joint 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

1983 PHTLS 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).

1992 A 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.

1996 New York City EMS is absorbed by FDNY.

1997 San Francisco and Chicago institute paramedic engine companies.

1999 President Clinton signs Senate Bill 800, which designates 911 as the nationwide emergency telephone number.

09-11-01 Terrorist 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.

04-2013 Terrorist attack the Boston Marathon using "Pressure Cooker Bombs," injuring hundreds and killing three (3). Despite the Dangers of more explosive devices, Medics, Nurse's, Doctor's rushed to the area and began treating those injured. Their efforts are credited for preventing further loss of life.

This section will be Updated from 2001 thru 2012

Authorized for use by: fdnyemswebsite

This material is copyrighted: fdnyemswebsite

2013 LODD MEMORIAL SERVICE INDUCTEES

2013 INDUCTEE'S LODD & THE NATIONAL EMS MEMORIAL SERVICE

Sorry if we woke you in the middle of the night,

But someone in your neighborhood is fighting for their life.

Sorry if we block the road and make you turn around,

But there's been a bad wreck with dying children on the ground.

When you see us coming I hope you'll understand,

Let us have the right of way someone needs our helping hand.

Sometimes a child is choking sometimes a broken leg,

Sometimes a heart stops beating and when we get there it's too late.

So if you see us crying when we think we are alone,

You'll know we had a bad one and we're feeling mighty down.

We don't do it for the money you know we don't get paid,

We don't do it for the glory but for life that might be saved.

Somewhere deep within us our souls are crying out,

We're here to help our neighbors in their hour of pain and doubt.

God gave us something special to help us see you through,

We do it because we love you and we care about you too.

1.Any of several acute inflammatory viral diseased characterized by the eruption of small blisters on the skin and mucous membranes?

2.A band of fibers in the myocardium through which the cardiac impulse is transmitted from the atrioventricular node to the ventricles?

3.The second cervical vertebra about which the heads rotates from side to side is what?

4.The direct transfer of heat from one material to another through direct contact is what?

5.What does AMI stand for?

6.The grating sound or feeling of broken bones rubbing together

7.What does “Contraindications” mean?

8.What does “dilate” mean?

9.What does CVA stand for?

10. The black center of your eye is called what?

Current & Prior Years EMS WEEK Logo's

2006 EMS WEEK LOGO

2007 EMS WEEK LOGO

Logo Source: ACEP

EMS Memorial Bike Ride

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:

austinparamediccycleteam.blogspot.com

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 Hanson of 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.

Daves EMS Headquarters

Navigation Menu provided
by Dave's EMS Headquarters

In 2010 Colorado Springs was selected as new location for the National EMS Memorial & Services

Colorado Springs became the new home of the National EMS "Tree of Life," as well as the location for the National EMS Memorial, as of 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 stated:

"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."

The Memorial Service moved to Colorado Springs in 2010. The Memorial Service in 2010 opened in May 2010.

2013 Theme: "ONE MISSION. ONE TEAM"

EMS WEEK 2013 RESOURCE TOOLS AND PURCHASE SECTION

CELEBRATING OUR EMS HEROS

MAY 19, THRU MAY 25, 2013

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 that began in 1973 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.

National EMS Memorial Home

EMS In the Line of Duty Deaths

2012

29 Medics, Flight Nurses, and Pilots

Lost their Lives while treating others

2005 EMS WEEK LOGO

2004 EMS WEEK LOGO

EMS In the Line of Duty Deaths

2011

17 Medics, Flight Nurses, and Pilots

Lost their Lives while Answering call's for Medical Assistance

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COMING: 2013 EMS WEEK EVENTS

40TH EMS WEEK 2013 MAY 19-25 2013

40th EMS WEEK

2013 LOGO

Jim Coleman ltd is the only licensed distributor for EMS Week Merchandise

40th National EMS Memorial Inductees for 2013 See Above

6th Annual Brotherhood Ride 2013 dedicated to the fallen heroes on the 12th anniversary of September 11, 2001 Honoring the Fire, EMS, Police response and loss by riding bicycles over 1600 miles in 22 days. The ride begins in North Naples, Florida, ending at Ground Zero in New York in September 2013. More Information Coming

National EMS Memorial Service Announces

Sixteenth Annual National Moment of Silence

Colorado Springs, CO-The National EMS Memorial Service announced plans for the Fifteenth Annual National Moment of Silence, to be observed at 1930 hrs (MDT) on Saturday, June 20, 2013. This coinciding with the National EMS Memorial Service to be conducted in Colorado Springs.

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 700 agencies and dispatch centers from around the United States.

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 held at the First Presbyterian Church of 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 "Tree of Life," the National EMS Memorial.

Source: National EMS Memorial

EMS WEEK PROCLAMATION (FOR USE)

EMS Week 2013 (May 19-25)

EMS Unsung Heroes

When the police are called for a fight, a family fight turned abusive, or a child struck, Police Officers are sent to the scene, they begin their investigation, while two medics, a highly trained team, which may consist of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a Paramedic, arrive on scene in an ambulance which is equipped with highly sophisticated equipment and serves as a pre-hospital mobile emergency room. This EMS crew begins treating the injured. While the medics work on the injured, law enforcement continues to carry out their responsibilities of investigation and possibly arresting a suspect who was involved.

When firefighters are called to a burning home, it is the firefighters who arrive on scene they take risks entering burning buildings and rescue those who have become incapacitated from smoke inhalation, or suffer burns that can range from minor, to severe. However it is the EMS Crew who is sent to the same scene who takes over care of the patient. Providing pre-hospital care, on the scene and while enroute hospital. That care may make the difference between life and death. Similar to a crime scene medics treat the injured, as Firefighters continue to work at putting out the fire.

When a Police Officer is injured in the performance of his or her duty whether it is by a bullet wound, assault, or an accident, it is the EMS Medics who respond and treat the injured officer on scene, utilizing all of their skills, equipment, and respect as if they would treating one of their own co-workers.

The same care and commitment is provided to Firefighters, as they battle to save your home or business. EMS crews respond to provide treatment for the dehydrated firefighter, taking of vitals, providing intravenous therapy, (IV’s) and when the worst occurs medics provide the firefighter with the most advanced life support, pre-hospital care available.

Emergency Medical Technicians, (EMT’S) Emergency Medical Specialist, (EMT-S) and Emergency Medical Paramedics, (EMT-P) have obtained extensive didactic and practical training, and are State and Nationally Certified. The men and women in the Field of Emergency Medical Services truly are dedicated to the preservation of Life.

Medics are professional, caring, and highly trained. They are part of the three tiered Emergency Services System; they are also sadly the least known of the three Emergency Services until you need them. They face many dangers and have to take many risks in the performance of their duties. EMS Personnel sufferer many types of injuries ranging from minor to critical in the performance of their jobs. Also EMS Personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice while in the performance of their jobs; their life. Medics have been attacked, assaulted, ambushed, or killed; either while on scene when a motorist fails to slow down striking the medic while he/she treats a sick or injured patient, causing the loss of a medic’s life.

An Emergency response to either a scene or transporting a critical patient to the hospital is one of the most dangerous situations for EMS Personnel, who face drivers oblivious to their lights and sirens, drivers who fail to yield, and blaring car stereos that can and have resulted in horrific accidents, that cost medics career ending disabilities, or cause a medics life.

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is provided by Local Volunteer agencies, Private EMS Agencies, County operated EMS Systems, and Fire Departments who provide EMS divisions. (Primarily in major cities, such as; New York Detroit etc.)

The next time you see an EMT or Paramedic please simply take a moment to say hello, or a simple “thank you for their service to our community.” Did you know that EMS Personnel are the lowest paid of the three emergency service’s Police, Fire, and EMS? As Police Officers are dedicated to protecting the public and Firefighters are dedicated to fire suppression. EMS Personnel are dedicated to providing pre-hospital care to sick and injured.

EMS Personnel are color blind in treating any patient, they respond to low, middle, and high income neighborhoods, and they provide the same compassion to the homeless alcoholic as they would show to a new born child. EMT’s and Paramedics work eight, twelve, and twenty-four hour shifts. Over the course of any of these shifts they may deliver a child, hold then hand of an elderly patient fallen ill, or may have just left a scene of a tragic accident that has killed several teenagers on their prom night. They treat the patient whose heart has stopped, a baby, the victim of sudden infant death; and even though they have not forgotten about their last patient, they must now and do focus on your call for medical help.

Emergency Medical Technicians of all levels of training are your community’s unsung heroes.

Written by: David D.

Dave’s EMS Headquarters

http://www.davesems.com

Written: May 22, 2012

The 20th Annual National EMS Memorial Service took place Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm MDT at the First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The event is a time where both family members and EMS Co-Workers gather to honor the Men and Women who lost thier lives in the Line of Duty. This years inductees names are listed above.

40th EMS Week Celebration May 19-25 2013

2013 EMS Week Logo

40th EMS WEEK-Began on Sunday MAY 19, 2013

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Sunday May 19, 2013 Marks the beginning of the 40th EMS Week and the Daily Activities and Events that will take place through Saturday May 25, 2013. This marks a celebration of the Men and Women who work and serve in the Field of Emergency Medical Services and we also remember and honor our medics who made the "Ultimate Sacrifice," In the Line of Duty.