The 26th annual Working Together Emergency Services Midwest Conference and Exposition is right around the corner.  Will the EMP Team see you there this January 25 – 28 at the Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee?

Working Together is sponsored by the Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA) and is considered one of the biggest and best EMS events in the United States.  Dozens of educators from across the United States come to Wisconsin to provide the latest information to emergency service providers of all types.  Participate in more educational sessions and topics including firefighting and rescue operations hands-on training.

From start to finish this conference offers four days of quality education, information and fun.  Join nearly 2,500 EMS providers, firefighters, educators, chiefs, directors, managers, and others involved in emergency services at one of the most respected emergency services events in the United States.

PS

You can find EMP at booth #412.  Stop by and say hi!

Source: wisconsinems.com

Have you been trying to get some EMS gift ideas together for your holiday shopping?  One idea to consider is The Lighter Side of EMS by Steve Berry.  It’s a compilation of his columns published in the issues of JEMS from 2003-2007.

A few minutes can seem like forever when you’re waiting for firefighters and paramedics to arrive. Paul Winterscheidt, a former paramedic, and father to two-year-old son, Elliot, found those few minutes to be the longest of his life.

Elliot had snatched a grape from the table and was choking on it. Winterscheidt tried to clear his son’s airway using the Heimlich maneuver, but Elliot eventually passed out.

As stressful as a pediatric call is, Superior firefighter Jeremiah Glonek knew exactly what to reach for to help young Elliot, the pediatric jump bag. The pediatric jump bag contains all child-sized items, sorted into color-coded bags, labeled by age, and ready for use. With this equipment bag Glonek was quickly able to fit a non-rebreather mask over Elliot’s face.

While being rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital, the grape was finally dislodged. Elliot was soon transferred from St. Luke’s to the pediatric ICU at St. Mary’s Hospital and was released the next day. Thankfully Elliot had no injuries and no aftereffects.

How did the Superior Fire Department obtain these special equipment bags? The Superior Kiwanis Club donated $1300.00 worth of pediatric jump bags and equipment not only to the Superior Fire Department, but rescue units in Gordon, Wascott, and Hawthorne.

The pediatric jump bags were created specially by Emergency Medical Products, Inc.

Source: SuperiorTelegram.com

It’s only the start of the 2011 hurricane season, and while we hope for the best, it’s wise to prepare for the worst. Here are five hurricane safety tips to help you prepare in the event of a hurricane.

1. Stock up – should you become trapped or stranded you’ll want to have the necessities handy. The National Hurricane Center has a suggested list of supplies which includes a first aid kit, food, water, and comfort items to pass the time.

2. Watch the weather – the most dangerous storm is the one that’s unexpected. If you’re tracking the weather you’ll know when and where (or where not) to go.

3. Shield your windows – whether you choose to stay or leave your home you need to barricade your windows. Take advantage of “hurricane shutters” or plywood. Anything that is not tied down should be brought inside as well (furniture, decorations, garbage cans, etc.).

4. Make a family plan – a simple, thought out plan will help keep your family organized. This plan should incorporate nearby families and friends too. Have an escape route. Have a meeting place. Have a means of communication.

5. After it’s over, be careful – once a hurricane moves on it doesn’t mean all is safe and sound. There are ramifications whether it is environmental hazards, physical or emotional trauma.

Be prepared and work together.

Source: yahoo.com

Are you and your family heading to Orlando, FL? If you are, Nickelodeon Suites and Resorts is offering the 2011 Hero Appreciation Package which includes:

• 20% off accommodations in a family suite
• Extra 10% off the Ultimate Sliming Experience
• 10% off food and beverages, 4-D Experience films and cabana rentals

To receive this special offer you must currently work as a firefighter, police offer or EMT and present a current city of Union issued I.D. at check in. This offer is also available for active and retired U.S. military personnel. Appropriate identification is also required.

To learn how 2% of your accommodations rate could be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and more details visit nickhotel.com.

Source: nickhotel.com

Madison Fire Chief Debra Amesqua, the first woman to lead the department, and also one of the first female firefighters in the country, announced this past Wednesday that she will retire January 3.

Amesqua was one of only seven women to head one of the nation’s 32,000 fire departments when she was named chief in January 1996. She was also a field training officer in Tallahassee, FL for twelve years.

During Amesqua’s 16-year tenure she saw all of the department’s frontline equipment replaced, the first new fire station in 25 years (with three more to come), the addition of a seventh ambulance, as well as other improvements.

Amesqua, a Hispanic, was also awarded the Alverno College Alumni Association award for professional achievement for her work on senior level management training for fire service women, and for breaking down barriers for people of color.

As her 16-year tenure at Madison comes to a close Amesqua said, “It has been a great run.” She also commented, “I will leave knowing that we succeeded together, working our way through challenges, jointly overcoming obstacles and making a difference for this great community in the only way that lasts. We worked collaboratively and respectfully with each other.”

Source: fireengineering.com

We’re all familiar with Fire Department New York EMS Lt. Farooq Muhammad’s EMS rap videos “EMS Anthem” and “Call 911”. Well, he’s back with his latest release, “Blue Star” and it includes firefighters.

Muhammad’s decision to include EMTs, paramedics and firefighters was to show how they all interact on calls. It’s also the 10th anniversary of 9/11, which affected both Fire and EMS. “I think it’s an important year for the Fire Department of New York. This commemorates that,” Muhammad noted.

Watch “Blue Star” now by Lt. Farooq Muhammad.

Source: firefighternation.com, youtube.com

EMP would like to take a moment to recognize the men and women who have sacrificed their lives in honor of our country. This Memorial Day please remember that without the courage of these brave men and women we wouldn’t have what we do today.

Santa Clara firefighters Darrell Sales and David Lombardo and Darrell Dean Sales, who was one of 49 San Jose firefighters laid off due to budget cuts last year) will bicycle across the country for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 to commemorate the 343 firefighters killed in the terrorist attack.

The Bay to Brooklyn Ride, conceived by Darrell Sales and his son, Darrell Dean Sales, will embark on the 3995-mile ride on August 2. The 39 day journey will kick off in San Francisco, riding across the Golden Gate Bridge, with the final stretch pedaling across the Brooklyn Bridge into lower Manhattan.

The Sales’, Lombardo, and retired Sunnyvale fire mechanic Fred Belligan (who will follow the trio in a support car) will stay with fellow firefighters along the way. They expect to arrive at Ground Zero on September 10.

Before their August 2 departure, the riders are planning a series of fundraisers to raise money for the Santa Clara Firefighters Foundation and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. To learn more about the Bay to Brooklyn Ride commemorative ride visit bay2brooklyn2011.org or call 408-476-0935.

Source: fireengineering.com

Nominations are now open for the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section Awards. Is there someone at your organization, or your organization as a whole that should be recognized? Take a moment to nominate an organization or an individual that has made a meaningful contribution to the overall health and safety in their organization and/or fire service.

The awards will be presented at the Fire-Rescue International 2011 conference in the following categories:

• Alan Brunacini Fire Service Executive Safety Award (co-sponsored by Provident Insurance)
• Billy Goldfeder Fire Service Organizational Safety Award (co-sponsored by VFIS)
• Garry Briese IAFC Safety Performance Award (co-sponsored by Salamander Technologies)
• Safety Officer of the Year (co-sponsored by Elsevier Public Safety and FDSOA)

For more information, including a nomination and eligibility guidelines, check out iafcsafety.org.

Source: iafcsafety.org