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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.

Oilville, VA - The National EMS Memorial Service today announced the kick-off of the "National EMS Memorial Project." The goal of this project is to build a permanent, outdoor "Tree of Life" memorial to honor those EMS providers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in the line of duty.

While the groundwork for this effort has been ongoing for more than 2 years now, the recent closing of the To The Rescue Museum in Roanoke, Virginia, which housed the Service's memorial exhibit, "The Tree of Life," and the uncertainty regarding it's future, have made this matter a priority for the organization.

"Our previous efforts centered around defining the criteria for the location, with our focus being on the families of our honorees. The Memorial exists for many reasons, primarily to honor our fallen comrades, but the families of these brave men and women are always in the forefront of our decision making process." said Kevin Agard, the project's chairman and National EMS Memorial Service Board Member. "Our site selection criteria was developed to assure attending the Service is as easy as possible for the families, friends and co-workers of our honorees."

Because the Project wishes to move as rapidly as possible, with an eye to a 2010 unveiling, this effort will be conducted in 4 phases, with the first 2 phases running concurrently:

1.Identify and acquire a suitable tract of land for the Memorial.

2.Design concept solicitation and selection.

3.Fund-raising.

4.Construction.

The National EMS Memorial Project seeks the assistance of the national EMS community in bringing this project to fruition. Committees will be formed to achieve the goals of each of the phases listed above. Anyone interested in serving on one or more of these committees is asked to contact Kevin Agard at 201-896-3862 or pio(at)nemsms.org.

Other stakeholders and interested parties may keep up to date by visiting our web site at http://memorial.nemsms.org

And/or by joining the Project's mailing list by sending a blank email to memorial-subscribe (at) nemsms.org

Those wishing to submit a location for consideration as the new home of the National EMS Memorial and the National EMS Memorial Service keep the following criteria in mind:

?Within a 60 minute drive of a major hub airport.

?Location suitable for quite reflection and remembrance.

?Within 10- 15 minutes of large hotel(s).

?Reasonably level and "accessible" property.

?House(s) of worship nearby.

?Reasonable access to utilities (electricity, water, sewage)

In addition to the above, any location seeking consideration should also have significant support from the local EMS community. The National EMS Memorial Service relies heavily on the local EMS community for the volunteers necessary to carry out the annual Memorial Service.

Anyone wishing to submit a location or design concept for consideration should send them to:

National EMS Memorial Project

PO Box 6604

Carlstadt, NJ 07072-0604

Please bear in mind that all designs should incorporate the "Tree of Life" and "Oak Leaf" concepts. All submissions become the property of the National EMS Memorial Service.

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed S.R. 215, a resolution sponsored by U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) that designates September 25th as National First Responder Day. The bi-partisan resolution was co-sponsored by 30 of Allard's Senate colleagues.

"First responders in Colorado and across the country regularly risk their lives to protect property, uphold the law and save the lives of others," said Senator Allard. "I am proud that so many of my Senate colleagues have joined me in this effort to recognize our first

responders by designating September 25th as National First Responder Appreciation Day to honor the contributions, sacrifices and dedication to public service made every day by first responders."

The resolution passed the Senate June 21, 2007 and has received support from a variety of first responder organizations.

When tragedy strikes a community, first responders always answer the call," said Ronald Graton, President of the Colorado State Fire Fighters' Association. "Our hearts go out to the Charleston, S.C. community and the families of the firefighters who lost their lives this week serving their fellow citizens and we are always reminded that there is never enough we can do to thank the public servants who make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Having Senator Allard work to set aside a national day of recognition for first responders is something special. On behalf of the 157 fire departments and more than

4,500 firefighters in Colorado, and the thousands of firefighters and first responders across the nation, I'd like to express my gratitude and support for this important effort."

"The service and sacrifice of America's public safety professionals is too often taken for granted," said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "Each year, hundreds of law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders are killed in the performance of duty, and many others are

injured. We owe all of these men and women, and their families, a huge debt of gratitude. Senator Allard is to be commended for his leadership in giving our public safety professionals the support and appreciation that they need and deserve."

"It's gratifying to see the contributions of emergency medical services responders recognized in a National First Responder Appreciation Day," said National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians President Jerry Johnston. "EMTs and paramedics everywhere are a vital part of the first response team but often overlooked for recognition. We applaud this effort and encourage the nation to take advantage of this opportunity to acknowledge the selfless work of all emergency medical services responders, regardless of the agency, organization or service they represent."

10-07-2007 The National EMS Museum Foundation is proud to announce the opening of Phase II, the Traveling Museum, in booth # 994 in the Orange County Convention Center at EMS Expo, October 11-13. There will be many exciting happenings including interviews with some of the pioneers and current leaders in EMS.

Items to be on display include a fully restored 1972 Dodge Ambulance with era appropriate equipment, the "Code-in-a-Can" which was carried by Medics in Urbandale, Iowa during the Pope's visit and Mass in 1977, and a 10 X 8, high quality photo display depicting the history of ambulance evolution and a few of the individuals instrumental in the growth of EMS through the years.

Included in this display will be artifacts from the Julian Wise Foundation's "To The Rescue Museum" formally in Roanoke, VA, which was forced to close. We sincerely appreciate and thank the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc, the parent organization for the museum, for allowing the National EMS Museum to be the umbrella for these many historical pieces, insuring a part of our history was not lost. Included will be some items from 9/11, the 1st LifePak 33, the Pulsonator-a precursor to the Thumper, books, articles, toys, pictures and numerous other pieces of EMS history.

The National EMS Museum Foundation, Board of Trustees will be holding the 1st annual board meeting in room 305B on Thursday, October 11, 2007 from 10am-12noon. This meeting will recap the progress made over this past year, announce the seating of the Advisory Board members appointed in August and elect 5 additional Board members to fulfill the bylaw requirement of 15 members of the Board of Trustees.

Remember---Booth # 994!! We look forward to seeing you all!!

Jules Scadden, NREMT-P

Secretary-Board of Trustees

National EMS Museum Foundation, Inc

www.nemsmf.org

scadden@nemsmf.org

West Palm Beach Fla-03-03-2008 A 60-year-old handyman in a jacket, tie and baseball cap walked into a Wendy's on Monday and headed straight for the bathroom. He came out trembling, brandishing a 9 mm handgun.

Without a word, authorities say, Alburn Edward Blake shot a paramedic waiting at the counter in the back, point blank, killing him. He slowly turned to his left and kept firing, wounding four more people in the restaurant and emptying at least one clip before killing himself with a gunshot to the head.

"This was not a robbery. He didn't demand anything," said Paul Miller, a Palm Beach County sheriff's spokesman. "Looks like this was just another random shooting like we've seen around the United States."

Except, perhaps for one tragic twist. The man Blake gunned down, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Lt. Rafael Vazquez, who had met his family during a break from on-duty training session--Lt. Rafael Vazquez had left the restaurant with his wife and 4-year-old son and their food before the shooting started. The 42-year-old had come back because his son's kids meal had the wrong toy, authorities said.

The mayhem unfolded just after noon during the lunch hour rush at the eatery on a major suburban road lined with strip malls, car dealerships and fast food restaurants, about five miles from downtown West Palm Beach. About 10 to 15 people were believed to be in the restaurant at the time, Miller said.

Motorists at the drive-thru window fled, some leaving their vehicles running. Several people were carried from the restaurant on stretchers. Authorities did not identify the other victims.

"I just saw a lady with a little boy in her arms come running out screaming, 'Somebody's shooting!"' said Sandra Jackson, who had been getting gas across the street. The woman said her husband was still inside, said Jackson, 43, of Palm Springs.

All the victims were hospitalized in stable condition, including a 43-year-old man, a 16-year-old girl, a 65-year-old man and his 62-year-old wife, Miller said. Two others had minor injuries, including one person who was injured while running away.

Josh Maynard, 30, said he and his brother hit the floor when Blake opened fire. Jerry Maynard said the shooter held his gun sideways and said nothing.

One customer, who authorities called a hero, kicked the pistol away from the gunman after he'd shot himself, then started first aid on the wounded.

Bob Bertini, a Wendy's Inc. spokesman based in Dublin, Ohio, called the shooting "a senseless tragedy."

Investigators found no note from Blake and say a motive wasn't apparent. He had never worked for Wendy's.

Vazquez, the paramedic, had met his wife and child at the restaurant. A colleague was in the same restaurant when the shooting occurred.

"They actually said hello to each other," Delai said, adding that the second firefighter fled the restaurant when the shooter started to reload.

Vazquez had been attending a course called "Strategy and Tactics" after being promoted in January.

Delai said the course teaches officers how to "manage large-scale incidents like we had today."

EMT and Paramedics Shortages May Force Shut Down

Minnewaukan, North Dakota—03-28-2008 An emergency medical worker with the Minnewaukan ambulance says the service will shut down Tuesday because of a lack of staff. Cathy Nord says she is one of two EMT’s with the ambulance. She says the other one has been serving in Iraq for the past year.

Nord stated the Minnewaukan ambulance once had eight emergency medical technicians, but she says staffing levels now are too low to provide on-call service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Nord said that ambulances from Devils Lake, Leeds, Maddock and the Spirit Lake reservation will be sent to Minnewaukan by the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center, starting Tuesday. Nord went on to state that it could take at least 45 minutes for an ambulance to get to the town.

**This is not an unusual situation of late, declining numbers of EMT’s and Paramedics have created an EMS Personnel shortage in Suburban and rural area’s over the past few years.

Life EMS Awarded Belding Michigan Contract

Ionia, Michigan 03-28-2008 - The City of Belding solidified numerous improvements to their infrastructure Tuesday, March 25, 2008, that included the ratification of a Life EMS contract that will ultimately save the city money.

The Grand Rapids based Life EMS Service stated that contract talks went smoothly, with only minor modifications to the contract language needed.

“What we're looking at with Life EMS is head and shoulders above most of what else was available,” said Belding Mayor Shane Husted, who was once employed by Life EMS. “It was like comparing a Cadillac to a Yugo.”

The contract calls for a minimum of one ambulance staffed 24/7 based in Belding, Michigan, which will be identical to the current service.

In addition, Life EMS will staff a second rig during peak hours - though peak hours will not be determined until after the April 21, 2008 transition date, which will eventually bring a third ambulance as a back-up in case one ambulance is out of service.

Under the agreement, Life EMS will also lease two current Belding Ambulances and the newer wheelchair Van that Belding owns for three years period for a total sale price of approximately $50,000, which what the city would more than likely receive in selling the units.

The annual subsidy of $26,505 will be reduced in the first three years by that $50,000, and additionally by the monthly rent of $1,200 Life EMS will pay for staying in the current facility, which Life EMS officials say should be only through 2008.

“They have the resources even if something catastrophic happens,” said council member Rick Stout, whose suggestion for monthly checks for the first six months of operations was added into the contract. “The first few months will be critical for operations.”

Life EMS President Mark Meijer also quelled myths that replacing the city-operated Belding Ambulance with a privatized service would cost city employees their jobs. Meijer said every Belding Ambulance employee had been contacted and that each could apply for a position with Life EMS. Trained Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics are in demand, according to Meijer; there are currently no plans to bring in Personnel from other cities like Grand Rapids.

U.S.Navy Medic Billed After Helping Patient

Jackson Michigan –April 12, 2008, A Navy medic who stopped to calm a woman whose husband was having a heart attack — and helped an ambulance crew perform CPR on the man en route to a hospital — ended up with a $60 towing bill.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Tim Moore was driving on Interstate 94 near Jackson on April 2 when he saw an ambulance parked along the eastbound lane.

He said he pulled over to try to help calm the woman, who was near the ambulance. When the rescuers learned of Moore's medical training, they asked if he would help administer CPR on the way to Foote Hospital.

"I pulled over in a bit of a hurry," said Moore, who since has returned to Camp Lejeune, N.C. "Of course, when they asked me to do CPR, I just locked the truck and didn't really think about moving it."

The man died in the emergency room. When Moore returned to the side of the interstate two hours later, the truck was missing. It turns out the truck — parked partly over the white line marking the side of the road — was considered a travel hazard and towed.

Jackson County Undersheriff Tom Finco said deputies tried to call Moore before the tow but got no answer at the number they had on record. The charge was levied by the towing company. "It's very unfortunate he stopped to do a good deed and that's what happened," Finco said, "but we definitely don't want his vehicle left there and hit by another car traveling down the ramp."

Moore said he was a little upset at the time. Now, he says: "It's only $60."

Rural/Metro, and the City Rochester

Rochester New York April 8 2008 After lengthy process, pact signed for ambulance service. Rural/Metro Corp. and the city of Rochester have resolved their contract differences, making the company once again the preferred ambulance service dispatched when city residents call 911.

The agreement came Tuesday and went into effect at midnight Tuesday — signaling an end, at least on the City Hall front, to a 10-month-long dispute over the lucrative deal.

"Probably the biggest part of signing the contract was relief," said Barry Palatas, vice president of New York operations for Rural/Metro. A legal challenge brought by Monroe Ambulance remains pending in state Supreme Court.

Rural/Metro has been Rochester's preferred service provider for two decades. When the contract — valued at $15 million to $20 million — came up for renewal last year, Mayor Robert Duffy proposed switching to Monroe. The mayor sent his legislation to City Council last June. Council members, after taking several

Local Headlines from WOODTV.com