Ambuglances ::: Region I's Official Newsletter

More Terrorism Money for EMS

Christmas came early for Georgia Emergency Medical Services and hospitals. The federal HRSA grants provided another grant opportunity, $400 per licensed ambulance or first responder vehicle with the announcement that more grants would be available next year. Vendor day was December 5 at Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. All licensed ambulance and first responder services who completed the terrorism preparedness survey earlier this year were given vouchers in the amount of $400 per licensed vehicle. The vouchers can only be used to purchase equipment approved by the Office of EMS from approved vendors. All the equipment and vendors will be displayed at vendor day. The grant will also reimburse attendees for the expense of a hotel room and mileage at a rate of $0.28 a mile. In addition, educational presentations will be offered which will give recert credit. All services have until January 15, 2004 to order equipment though David Loftin. The third HRSA grant for Public Safety agencies had a deadline of December 5, 2003 to be submitted to Robby Westbrook of Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. The GEMA area 6 All Hazards Council will prioritize the grant submissions at the next meeting on December 9. We have been informed that more grants will be available next year.

EMS/Terrorism Section of GPHA Expands Membership

The Emergency Medical Services section of the Georgia Public Health Association has expanded it's membership to include Terrorism Preparedness personnel. This has resulted in the largest increase in membership of any of the Georgia Public Health Association sections. The section is open to membership from any EMS or Terrorism Preparedness personnel and future plans include speakers not only at the GPHA state-wide conference but also at the CHANGES conference in Augusta.

EMS Recertification Deadline Nears

The Georgia deadline for EMT, CT and Paramedic recertification is June 30, 2004. All personnel not initially certified in the recert period from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2004 will have to recertify before the deadline. Recertification of EMTs will involve proof of 24 hours of approved continuing education, a current BCLS card and completion of a recert form. CTs and Paramedics will recertify by proof of 40 hours of approved continuing education, a current ACLS card, payment of a recert fee and completion of a recert form. The forms may be obtained at the Region 1 offices and must be received by the regional EMS office by the deadline. We are requesting that the forms be received by April due to the international conference in costal Georgia in the first two weeks of June, 2004. A supply of recert forms will be mailed to all services in January, 2004.

Do You Want to Serve in Iraq?

William Nash, a Georgia flight medic, has invited Georgia paramedics to come with him to Iraq where he is running a field hospital for the people of Iraq. International SOS Assistance has immediate openings for paramedics in providing medical services as a part of the Iraq Reconstruction Project. Ex-military and pararescue personnel will receive special consideration. If interested contact Grace Keyser at 267-520-1515 or Abigail Laurich at 267-520-1540.

EMS Preceptor Course Announced

An EMS preceptor course has been announced for January 10, 2004 at Hutcheson Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. The program will prepare paramedics to precept EMT and Paramedic students during their clinical training. Pre-registration is required before January 6 by contacting Betsy Quinn or Pat Wooten at 706-858-2000. The course is sponsored by Dalton College, DTAE and Region 1 EMS.

Release of Handout Causes Problems for National Registry

The release of a handout about National Registry test questions by a lecturer at the EMS Educator Conference in Athens earlier this year caused problems for Georgia EMS with the National Registry organization. The handout allegedly contained some questions claimed by the National Registry to be in their test bank. Personnel attending the conference are being contacted to return the handouts to DTAE for the National Registry. There will be no interruptions in National Registry exams planned for Georgia including the December exam for Region 1.

Contract for Your Training Program?

Former Region 1 EMS Training Coordinator Johnny Johnston has contacted Region 1 EMS with a proposal to offer a training program package for any EMS Service for a fee. The program will include all subjects required for state and national recertification. If you are interested, contact Johnny Johnston at 706-838-4348 for more details.

Is a Flu Pandemic Coming?

Public Health Officials fear that a flu pandemic similar to the 1918 worldwide epidemic which killed millions will in the near future. A flu pandemic table top exercise was conducted state-wide to beginning planning a response. Problems identified included vaccination of health care personnel including EMS crews, lack of equipment and overloading of hospitals. We recommend that EMS personnel obtain flu shots to prevent acquiring the disease or spreading it to patients.

Deadline Expires for Rules and Regulations Comments

The November 30 deadline for commenting on the proposed Department of Human Resources Ambulance Rules and Regulations has expired. All comments will be reviewed by the Office of EMS in preparation for submission to the Board of Human Resources. Copies of the proposed rules and regulations were e-mailed and mailed in cd format or written format to all services in Region 1 as well as county commissions. The proposed rules and regulations included a fine schedule for infractions, restructuring of the instructor certifications and tighter regulation of the securing of equipment in ambulances.

FMC Station Robbed of Drugs at Gunpoint

A Rome man robbed a Floyd Medical Center EMS station at gunpoint for drugs then apparently committed suicide in a local motel. Rome Police reports stated the man surprised two EMS personnel just before they were leaving on a call. He allegedly let himself into the station, holding a jacket in his arms with a rifle hidden underneath. After they conceded to the intruders demands, the two employees left the station to contact police and their supervisor. The same person was also accused in police warrants of stealing drug boxes from ambulance on other occasions. Lets be careful out there and secure your ambulances and drugs.

Meth Lab Course to be Taught in Rome

A Methamphetamine Lab Response Course will be taught at the Forum in Rome on December 12, 2003 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The course is hosted by Redmond Regional Medical Center. The course is free and offers recert credit for EMS personnel. More than 10 Meth Labs have been discovered in Floyd county this year. Pre-registration is required. Call 706-802-3678 for more information.

EMSMDAC to Meet in Macon

The EMS Medical Director Advisory Council will hold the regular quarterly meeting at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon on December 13 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. No pre-registration is necessary. Contact Dr. Phillip Coule for more information at 706-721-3548.

Geriatric Course to be Taught in Fort Oglethorpe

The Geriatric Education for EMS Provider course will be taught in Fort Oglethorpe on January 13 and 20, 2004. The course has proven to be very popular with EMS providers and offers 16 hours of continuing education credit. The course prepares the pre-hospital provider with knowledge and skills necessary to respond to the geriatric patient. Contact Scott Madaris for more information at 706-858-2417.

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!