Ambuglances ::: Region I's Official Newsletter

FRANK TIDWELL KILLED IN ACCIDENT

Frank Tidwell, the first Region 1 EMS Coordinator, has been killed in a tragic accident at his home in Flat Rock, Alabama. Frank was cutting trees on his property and a large tree fell on him, killing him instantly. His body was found Thursday and his funeral was held on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on the grounds of the old family home place in Flat Rock. One daughter, Stephanie Tidwell of Salt Lake City, Utah and his ex-wife Janice survive him. His body was cremated and during the ceremony his ashes were placed in the creek near where the family business was located. Frank began his career as an environmentalist in Dade County, Georgia and later was promoted to District Supervisor. He was hired as the first Region 1 EMS Coordinator in the late seventies and later became the deputy director of the Georgia Office of EMS. He had to resign this position due to health problems and eventually retired in 1990. We will miss you, Frank.

BILL YOUNG PROMOTED TO TRAINING OFFICER

John Hitchens, director of Whitfield EMS has appointed Bill Young as its first full time Training Officer. As such, Bill will be in charge of developing and conducting continuing education programs for the service. He is also spearheading an introduction to EMS class at North West High School as well as assisting with the EMT I program at Dalton College. His EMS career started in 1975 with a small fire department in Williamsburg Kentucky. "We were running first responder calls years before that term was coined", stated Young, "we just knew that we could be of a benefit since modern EMS was almost non existent in those days." He attained his paramedic certification in Tennessee in 1979, and shortly after that took the National Registry test becoming one of the first NREMT-P's in the state of Tennessee. He worked for a short while in Colorado, returning to Knoxville to work before being hired at Whitfield. He has been employed there since 1988. "I tell people who are interested in coming to work here that we have our own share of problems, but I intend on retiring here." He attributes the positive work environment to the management team that oversees the service. "Our management has not forgotten what it is like to be on the streets. They strive to give each of us what we need to do our job effectively"

Bill is married to Verlie, a nurse at Gordon Hospital. They have four children. Bill and his wife reside in Calhoun. He can be reached at byoung4481@comcast.net.

DR. JILL MABLEY NAMED AS NEW EMSMDAC CHAIR

Dr. Jill Mabley, Region 1 EMS Medical Director, has been named as the new chair of the Emergency Medical Services Medical Director Advisory Council to replace Dr. Colle. Dr. Mabley reported at the last council meeting on the first meeting she presided. The adult interosseous infusion device was approved for use by paramedics. A trial study on the new artificial blood substitute was approved for ambulance services in Macon. The council recommended approval of the change in the equipment list for licensed first responder services submitted by the fire services. Also recommended was that all medical directors consider adding the American Heart Association Stroke protocols their own protocols. The council also will consider the use of albuterol nebulizers for EMT's in Georgia soon. The council is also acting to improve the reporting of exposure to infectious diseases to EMS personnel. Dr. Mabley asked for input in the project to update the current state treatment protocols, which were last updated in 1999. Congratulations, Dr. Mabley. We are very proud to have you on our team.

GILMER COUNTY RECEIVES MCI TRAILER

Gilmer County EMS has received a multi-casualty response trailer which could be moved anywhere in the region to supplement the equipment necessary to treat large numbers of victims. The trailer was purchased with grant funds and contains large numbers of backboards, oxygen masks and other equipment. Pictured above are (left to right) Gilmer County Deputy Director Lorraine Morris, Gilmer EMS Director Gary Watkins, District 1.2 All Hazards Coordinator Ron Hernandez, Regional EMS Coordinator David Loftin, Administrative Assistant Linda Avery, Gilmer County EMS Training Officer Harry McConnell and Fannin County EMS Director Lonnie Oliver.

EMS RULES DRAFT TO BEGIN COMMENT PROCESS

David Bean has announced that he will begin receiving comments on the Draft of the new Ambulance Rules and Regulations until November 30. Copies of the draft were mailed to all EMS Services, County Commissioners and EMS Council members. If you have not received your copy, please contact the Region 1 EMS Office. Electronic copies in the Adobe Acrobat format are also available. The next step in the approval process will be taking public comments for 30 days. This will be followed by a public hearing before the draft and all comments are submitted to the Board of Human Resources for the final approval.

FIRE GRANT TO BENEFIT EMS?

Gregg Lord, Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Director, announced at the Region 1 EMS Council meeting that grant funds will be soon made available for non-profit EMS Services through the Federal Fire Grants. The applications will be made available in December with a deadline for thirty days. Priority will be given to counties without EMS Service and for personal protective gear. I will release more information as soon as I receive it. You need to act on this grant. It is an excellent opportunity.

HOSPITAL DECON TRAINING TO BE HELD IN ROME

The first hospital decontamination training program in Region 1 will be held at Floyd College on November 29-30. This program is also open to EMS personnel. More information can be found ont he Region 1 website training calendar or by contacting Ron Hernandez or Joe Adams. Please pass this news to your local hospital.

MEDICARE APPEALS PROCESS IMPROVED

Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the Medicare claims appeals system. The CMS has awarded contracts to eight independent contractors to perform reconsiderations of denied claims. This will replace the current 'fair hearing' process for Medicare Part A claims. More detailed information was e-mailed to all services last week.

MAKE CERTAIN YOUR CARDS ARE CURRENT

Please check your EMT-B, EMT, CT, Paramedic, BCLS and ACLS cards in your training files at every service where you are employed. Any employee who does not have a current certification card, BCLS and ACLS (for CTs and Paramedics) are not eligible to work. David Loftin will be checking training records on his regular inspections during the next two months. If you have not received your certification card, contact Jim Cutcher at 706-295-6176 or at jlcutcher@gdph.state.ga.us

KELLY BUDDENHAGEN NAMED AS NEW PARAMEDIC INSTRUCTOR AT APPALACHIAN TECH

Kelly Buddenhagen has been named as the new paramedic instructor for Appalachian Technical College in Jasper. The school will begin conducting Region One's fifth paramedic program off-site for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. Kelly is the EMS for Children (EMS-C) program director for the Office of EMS and will be leaving this position by December 1. She has continued to work as a paramedic for Gilmer County EMS in Ellijay. Congratulations, Kelly.

ANNUAL TRAUMA CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ATLANTA

The Georgia Trauma Conference, sponsored by the Trauma Associates of Georgia (TAG) will be held on February 7-8, 2005 at the Marriott Atlanta Century Center. More information is available on the Region 1 website training calendar.

DATE CHANGED FOR GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY AWARD

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.

IT'S TIME FOR TIME

The annual T.I.M.E. conference will be held on November 10-11 at Darton College in Albany sponsored by the Southwest Georgia EMS Directors Association. The conference will again feature an EMS competition with a cash prize of $100. Dr. Ray Fowler and Roddie Gray will be featured speakers. Applications are available at the Region 1 EMS Office or at http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-docoemstime

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!