Ambuglances ::: Region I's Official Newsletter

Weapons of Mass Destruction Class a Success

Representatives from more than 25 services attended a WMD antidote train-the-trainer class in Rome. The participants were issued training materials including Mark 1 training kits for nerve gas exposure. The participants will then train all the EMS personnel at the local level. The training also included a table top exercise so that the participants could apply what they learned.

TIME Conference Announced

Darton College will be holding the annual TIME Conference for EMS on November 10-11, 2004. The conference will again include an ALS competition. More details can be found at the conference website: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-docoemstime

Hugh Atkins Dies

Hugh Atkins, Floyd County EMA and 911 Director, has died from cancer at age 59. His funeral was held on September 2, 2004. We send our condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Elite Ambulance Comes to Region 1

Elite Ambulance has announced that they have placed a station in Hiram, Georgia in Paulding County. The base is located at 5745 Wendy Bagwell Parkway, Suite 3. Their number is 770-944-7445. Welcome to Region 1.

Georgia Firefighters Ask for Change in Equipment Requirement

The Georgia Firefighters Association and Georgia Fire Chief's Association Joint EMS Sub-Committee has asked EMSAC to consider a new reduced equipment list for licensed First Responders. The list is available through Region 1 EMS. The issue will be a topic at the next EMSAC meeting.

AHA Asks for Removal of AEDs Prescription Requirement

The American Heart Association has asked for the removal of the requirement for prescriptions for automatic external defibrillators. Their statement may be viewed at http://americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3023822

EMS-C Asking for Success Stories

The National Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) is asking for success stories involving the treatment of children. Contact Kelly Buddenhagen at 404-679-0523 for more information.

Cuts in Federal Funding for State EMS Offices?

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a $23 million dollar (18%) cut in the preventive health and human services block grant, which provides funds to operate the Office of EMS Regional offices. The measure now goes to the U.S. Senate. Please contact your senator to express your opinion.

WMD Class to be Taught in Rome

An EMS Operations and Planning for WMD course will be held at the Forum in Rome on November 30-December 2. There is no charge. Please contact Tony Cooper to register at tcooper@floyd.org or call 706-802-1779. Floyd Medical Center, Rome/Floyd Terrorism Response Team, ODP and TEEX are sponsors of the course.

Georgia Mandates Unified Command System

Georgia has now mandated that all local public safety and emergency response agencies implement a standardized unified command system by October 1, 2004. A training program on this topic will be offered on September 20-21 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia. The training will feature a live demo of a terrorist attack against a train. Contact Velda Shackelford for more information at 478-621-2635.

EMS Instructor Course on Schedule

The 2004 EMS Instructor Training program is on schedule and more than 25 candidates will begin the week long training program to become EMS instructors in Clarksville, Georgia. The next candidate screening program will be held next spring.

Date Changed for Governor's Public Safety Awards

The date for the 2004 Georgia Governor's Public Safety Award Banquet has been changed to November 12 at 1:00 P.M. The nomination deadline has passed. See you there in uniform.

Region 1 EMS Council Meeting

The October meeting of the Region 1 EMS Council has been changed to Thursday, October 28 at 2:00 P.M. because of the EMS EXPO in Atlanta. The meeting will be at the Region 1 EMS Office in Rome.

EMS EXPO to be Held in Atlanta

A national EMS conference will be held in Atlanta on October 21-23, 2004 at the World Congress Center. Two lecturers on the program will come from Region - Bud Owens from Gordon County Ambulance and Greg Lord from Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. Vendor passes are available from the Region 1 office if you plan to visit the vendor area but do not plan to attend the conference. See our training calendar for more details.

Send Them Straight to Atlanta

All EMT course graduates and out of state reciprocity applicants must send their forms for state certification directly to the Office of EMS in Atlanta and not to the Regional EMS Offices. Sending your forms to Region 1 will only delay the process. The next recert cycle will also involve submitting your recert information on-line directly to the Atlanta EMS Office.

Terrorism Courses Standardized

Region 1 has just received an index of standardized terrorism related training programs. The document is available now from Region 1 EMS by e-mail or mail.

Four Paramedic Programs offered in Region 1

Region 1 is very lucky to have four excellent paramedic programs with full-time instructors - Dalton College - David Newton; Coosa Valley Technical College - Larry Vandegriff/Randall Pierson; North Metro Technical College - Don Servais; and West Central Technical College - Keith Miller/Todd Robinson. See our website under information/How to become an EMT for more information and links to websites.

Hospitals Urged to Use Diversion Website

All Georgia Hospitals have been urged to use the Georgia Hospital Association diversion website so that providers can determine bed space in disasters. The website is located at http://www.gaems.net/cgi-bin/diversion.pl

Hurricanes Punish Florida

Two strong hurricanes have passed through the same locations in Florida within a month. The populations have been relocated into Georgia. This not only fills all available hotel rooms but creates an increase in population with a potential increase in ambulance calls and other needs for assistance.

Do you have a news story you would like published in Ambuglances? If so, let David Loftin know about it. He can be reached via telephone at (706) 295-6154 or via email at cdloftin@gdph.state.ga.us. Let's inform the region about your news!