Farooq Muhammad is back at it!  Muhammad has released his latest EMS video entitled “Keep Yourself Safe” which highlights the potential risks EMS professional face every day.  Muhammad wanted to emphasize the significance of safety while working under dicey conditions.  How do you think he did?

What is this thing called Google+?  Aside from the latest thing EMP is on, it’s kind of like Facebook, but as the name states, it’s Google’s version.

If you’re not on it, basically all you need to do is create a profile.  Once you have your profile set up, find your friends (EMP) and put them in a circle.  What is a circle?  It’s Google’s way of allowing you to share the right things with the right people.  So, yes, you can have more than one circle.  Share photos, videos, links, or whatever you like by using the share box on any Google site, or those +1 buttons that are surfacing across the web.

If you’re on Google+ already join the EMP circle.  If you’re not on Google+ think about giving it a try.

Source: google.com

No words can really describe this video of Great Dane Emmitt, AKA “Thunderpaws”, reuniting with his dad, Trevor Chowder.  Chowder was returning from nine months of deployment in Afghanistan and “Thunderpaws” couldn’t be happier to see him.  Check it out:

Source: yahoo.com, youtube.com

Using pulse oximetry in the EMS field is a given.  You need to know the oxygen level in your patient, right?  Check out Fire Engineering’s EMS Editor Mike McEvoy talk about using pulse oximetry in this video.  Mike also shares some tips and discusses common issues with readings on pulse oximetry devices.

Facebook. Twitter. LinkedIn. Blogs. There are all kinds of social media and EMP tries to cover its bases and be where you are. You’re on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and writing a blog, right? If you are, connect with us!

EMP is on Facebook, tweeting on Twitter, and sharing our stats on LinkedIn, and we’d like to be a part of your world. What’s in it for you? Well, aside from connecting the EMS world through hometown stories and industry news we’ve also been known to share specials and discounts on Facebook and Twitter too. So, what are you waiting for?

PS
If you’re not into social media don’t fret, you can still signup for the EMP Alert and be privy to all of the EMP product specials and discounts.

Emergency rescue department to the, well, rescue!  A one-month-old puppy that was trapped in a Detroit drain pipe was saved thanks to rescuers who listened for the puppy’s squeals through a stethoscope.

The 4-week-old puppy had wandered away from its mother through a basement grate and into the underground drain pipe.  Plumbers were called to the scene and placed cameras into the pipe to determine the puppy’s location.  Rescuers realized the pipe emptied just outside of the basement and had an excavator brought in to dig down five feet to save the puppy.

The puppy was cold and dehydrated, but was brought to safety and in better shape than expected after his ordeal.  The puppy is now reunited with its mom and doing well.

Check out the video of the puppy’s rescue complements of the Michigan Humane Society:

Source: gma.yahoo.com

Fire departments and EMS agencies have been experiencing critical shortages of drugs that are used to save lives.  In the past five years the number of drug shortages has tripled and are becoming more severe and more frequent.

The IAFC Board of Directors has adopted a position statement regarding the trends of these critical drug shortages used to save the lives of patients suffering from trauma or other medical emergency.  The IAFC Position Statement on the National Drug Shortage includes three components:

• An educational component on the national drug shortage including associated risks, identification of factors contributing to the national drug shortage and fire department impact.
• An outline of the IAFC positions on issues relating to federal investment and processes, national laws and regulations, and improved interagency collaborations.
• Suggested actions for fire and emergency service leaders.

“A solution must be found; paramedics must have the crucial and necessary drugs to save the lives of their patients,” said Chief Gary Ludwig, chair of the IAFC EMS Section. “The ability to administer the appropriate pharmaceutical products to patients in the field can be the difference between life and death. We all know that rapid intervention is essential in these situations; waiting to administer life-saving drugs until the victim reaches an emergency room—at least 10 to 15 minutes after we have begun care—creates a serious and unnecessary risk.”

What affect are the national drug shortages having on your department?

Source: iafc.org

Critical, an iPhone application to assist medical professionals, students and personnel, is new and ready for download at the Apple iTunes store.  Not only does Critical provide crucial medical guidelines and material in an emergency situation, but it also serves as a reference for staff and students in the medical field.

The Critical – Medical Guide app features images, diagrams, and interactive videos in high-definition to assist you in what to watch for.  It also contains detailed medical guidelines such as:

• Critical Care & Course of Action
• Emergency Medicine
• First Aid Care
• Para Medicine
• Drug Calculators
• Formulary & Drug Interaction Checking
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Ventilator Management
• Special Procedures, such as CTs and Chest Tubes
• Monitoring Information – Electrocardiograms & IABPs
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support

If you’re a doctor, nurse, paramedic, EMT or other member in the medical field and want to learn more about the Critical – Medical Guide app visit www.criticalusa.com/Critical/Welcome.html.

The 5.11 Tactical Series® is known for creating superior products that enhance the safety, speed, and performance of public safety professionals.  Common knowledge, right – but did you know EMP is now carrying 5.11 Tactical products and gear?  Yes, that’s right!  EMP is proud to say we’re officially carrying 5.11 Tactical equipment and supplies.

It’s been a long time coming, but these durable, quality and innovative products are in the house.  Check out the 5.11 Tactical Rush 24 Backpack which features a large main compartment and three mesh interior organizing pockets.  Or, the 5.11 Tactical Push™ Pack which is built from rugged 1050D nylon and features aero-foam padding on the reverse of the Push™ to ensure a comfortable carry. Of course there are 5.11 gloves, 5.11 flashlights, and many other 5.11 accessories.

This is just the start.  Check the EMP website often because there are more 5.11 Tactical products to come.

The EMS Today 2012 Conference is already next week!  By attending EMS Today you can be assured quality education, networking, and learning about all the latest products on the market.

A.J. Heightman, Editor-in-Chief, at JEMS also has his top ten reasons to attend EMS Today:

10. Great preconference workshops.

9. Free registration to the new International Conference on Disaster & Terrorism Preparedness.

8. Clinton R. Van Zandt, former FBI profiler and hostage negotiator and popular NBC/MSNBC analyst, will present a powerful and informative keynote address on the New Age of Terrorism

7. Hear important lectures on the use of simulation, clinical hot topic issues, and successful grant proposals, as well as a federal town hall meeting, the EMS Policy Summit and EMS “State of the Science” trends from members of the Major Metropolitan Medical Directors Coalition.

6. Be thoroughly entertained as Baxter Larmon and Walt Stoy emcee the cooking contest on Friday, March 2 in the exhibit hall.

5. Learn, have fun and earn CEH at the ever-popular JEMS Games “Excellence in EMS” Clinical Competition on Friday night, March 2nd.

4. The massive EMS Today exhibit hall not only features many new EMS products, it also hosts free CE sessions, the cooking contest, free continental breakfast on Saturday and more products related to disaster/terrorism preparedness and planning.

3. Vote for your favorite new products in the New Product Rush program.

2. Meet Randolph Mantooth, who starred as firefighter/paramedic Johnny Gage in the TV series Emergency!

1. Networking, networking, networking. If you have a problem or a success story, you need to share it with your EMS colleagues. Don’t underestimate the value of networking to your career.

Source: emstoday.com

P.S. EMP can be found in the exhibit hall at booth #3235.  Hope to see you there!