Fire Engineering Board Blog

Taking a Shot at Public Health

2009-10-22T10:18:00.002-04:00

As a firefighter/paramedic, I'm embarrassed over the scene being created by health care workers (including nurses, medics, and firefighters) refusing flu vaccination. The consequences are serious: they cast public doubt over the best tactic we have to prevent spread of influenza in our communities. Vaccines have slashed death rates from twenty five diseases. Get a flu shot in the fall and you are half as likely to die during winter as people who don’t. When physicians, nurses, medics, and firefighters get flu vaccines, their patients are also less likely to die.

Flu is serious – it kills more than 36,000 Americans every year, the majority of victims over 65 years old. The H1N1 virus causes relatively mild illness in healthy adults but threatens the lives of the very young and weak. It is a robust virus that spread worldwide like wildfire and never went away. It is now a pandemic, and H1N1 shows every indication that it is here for the winter, if not longer. We have no better public health tool than vaccination to protect our children and each other.

So is there danger in the vaccine? Not at all. The danger is in unvaccinated people, and especially unvaccinated health care workers. While firefighters and paramedics are less likely than their patients to get sick with the flu, they readily carry the virus to others, infecting vulnerable patients as well as their own friends and families.

Firefighters are not just inhabitants of their communities; they are public role models. We have a moral and ethical duty to make responsible choices and act with the understanding that others are watching. Lives are on the line in your home and in the communities you serve.

Mike McEvoy
EMS Editor
Fire Engineering

Important Update on Firefighter Michelle Smith's Murder case

2009-10-15T14:35:00.003-04:00

Firefighter Michelle Smith was responding to a car accident with injuries when she was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 20, 2008. The defense for the man who killed her claimed becuse Michelle was working as a medic on that call then he did not kill a firefighter. Fire Engineering disagrees, Mr. Taye killed a firefighter.

We wear many titles as firefighters, medics, rescue techs, confined space experts, hazardous materials responders, but inclusive of all of those other titles responsibilities and functions we are first last and always "firefighters". Judge Jerome O. Herlihy agreed and cleared the way for a possible conviction of 29-year-old Joseph Taye, on first-degree murder charges for killing of Firefighter Michelle Smith with his car.
To red the whole story click here

IAFF Director for FEMA Post

2009-10-13T11:28:00.001-04:00

Press Release Contact: Bill Glanz
October 13, 2009 202 824-1566

Homeland Security Announces Intent to Nominate
IAFF Director for FEMA Post

Washington, DC – U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Elizabeth M. Harman, a former fire fighter and currently a director at the International Association of Fire Fighters, to become an assistant administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

If confirmed, Harman will manage FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate, the central location for grants management at FEMA. These offices are tasked with the provision of credible leadership of FEMA grants, transparent data and processes, collaborative partnerships with stakeholders, and connection to Homeland Security priorities and outcomes. Over the last three years, GPD programs awarded over $50 billion in federal financial assistance.

Harman is the director of the Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction Training Department at the IAFF, a labor union representing 296,000 fire fighters and paramedics in the United States and Canada.

Harman was a fire fighter and paramedic in Fairfax City, Virginia, IAFF Local 2702. She began working at the IAFF in 2004. In 2005 she became director of the Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction Training Department, running the largest HazMat/WMD training program of fire fighters in North America and managing millions in federal funding to support the program.

The Grant Programs Directorate was formally created on April 1, 2007, in accordance with the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act. As the assistant administrator, Ms. Harman will be responsible for the oversight of the two divisions within GPD and the management of all programmatic and financial responsibilities for grant programs across FEMA’s eight directorates. These responsibilities include the development, administration, implementation, award and closeout of 52 different disaster and non-disaster grant and financial assistance programs.

More information on the Grant Programs Directorate can be found at: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/index.shtm

The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, is the leading advocate in North America for the safety and training of fire fighters and paramedics. The IAFF represents more than 296,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect communities in every state in the United States and throughout Canada. More information is available at www.iaff.org

STATter 911: UPDATE - Firefighters catch fire during sprinkler demonstration. DC Fire & EMS now confirms one firefighter spent the night in the burn unit.

2009-10-11T17:28:00.000-04:00

STATter 911: UPDATE - Firefighters catch fire during sprinkler demonstration. DC Fire & EMS now confirms one firefighter spent the night in the burn unit.

Firefighter Cancer Support Network

2009-10-11T14:36:00.003-04:00

This is where you need to be November 10th. I will see you there!
FCSNGala093.pdf

FEMA Update on Samoa

2009-10-10T13:44:00.002-04:00

The follow press release is important to the fire service as we comprise to a large extent the boots on the ground for FEMA responses. Current 245 responders are on the ground from a variety of agencies. For more in depth report read below

FEMA Responds To American Samoa, Federal Agency Prepares For Typhoon Melor
Release Date: October 2, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-117

» More Information on American Samoa Earthquake, Tsunami, and Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced ongoing preparations for Typhoon Melor in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam. As Typhoon Melor gains strength, FEMA continues to closely monitor the storm with the Hurricane Liaison Team at the National Hurricane Center. These important preparations take place as FEMA continues to work with its federal partners to support Governor Tulafono and American Samoa as they respond to Tuesday's tsunami.

"As we prepare for Typhoon Melor, we continue our coordination and support for American Samoa," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "These events, and other disasters that threaten the United States and its territories, are a reminder that disasters can happen anywhere, and that is why we are constantly working with our partners to ensure that resources are pre-positioned to quickly respond to any event or needs that arise in the regions we serve."

FEMA and its federal partners are working closely with the CNMI Governor Benigno Fitial and Guam Governor Felix Perez Camacho as they make decisions for their potential response activities. Both FEMA's National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) in Washington, D.C. and the Region IX Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) in Oakland, California are fully activated, and are supporting deployed federal teams in American Samoa, Guam, and CNMI.

FEMA has pre-positioned equipment and critical supplies in CNMI and Guam to respond immediately to any needs, including:

More than 90,000 meals
90,000 liters of water
More than 2,500 cots
More than 3,800 blankets
85 generators
These resources are supplemented by more than 110,000 meals, more than 190,000 liters of water, and additional supplies already in Hawaii, which are also available to support the response in American Samoa.

Key federal personnel and other key federal responders have been deployed for rapid transport to Guam and CNMI. Two Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) and a Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) specialist are staged in Guam. Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) and teams from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are prepared for deployment to assist with response efforts. Federal responders are also on the ground in Saipan, the capital of CNMI.

Individuals and communities are reminded that personal preparedness is essential to an effective response. Individuals and families that could be affected by Typhoon Melor should have emergency supplies on hand so authorities can focus response efforts and resources to life-saving and sustaining efforts.

Presently there is a team of over 245 federal responders from FEMA, Coast Guard, HHS, Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, and other federal agencies on the ground in American Samoa. FEMA has and continues to deliver critical supplies and equipment to assist with the immediate needs of the survivors, including meals, water, blankets, tents, cots and generators and communications units in support of the territory's mass care operations.

Updates on operations in American Samoa as well as any necessary response to Typhoon Melor will be released as they become available.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Buddy Breathing

2009-10-09T10:12:00.000-04:00

I have two problems with the buddy-breathing device on SCBA’s.
1) Unless you drill on using it “often”, like once a month, in blacked out facepiece conditions, you probably won’t be able to actually do it in a real, stress-filled emergency. 75% of what you learn is forgotten within two weeks if it is not reinforced! (That’s a fact Jack!)
2) It’s (for lack of a better word) illegal to use. Not to buy (to the joy of the manufactures) but to actually use.

When I was a Lieutenant in 1984, we had a recruit class of 64 recruits. I was moved from Field Operations (# 7’s Ladder) to training and given the assignment of teaching the recruits SCBA’s and Search.
I taught each recruit three ways to buddy-breathe. (One of which is no longer an option now thate we no longer have belt-mounted regulators and corrugated breathing tubes.) I took all 64 into the burn building and actually buddy breathed with each one of them in real smoke conditions. We also went over a few other low air emergency operations.
Later in my carrier, we began to purchase new SCBA’s with buddy-breathing attachments on them. As chief of training at that time, I was reviewing a lesson plan for the “in-service” training for the department in the use of these new tools. Reading the warranty info attached to the new SCBA threw up some red flags to me. The warranty stated (And I paraphrase) “NIOSH and OSHA does not allow any form of buddy breathing. This device is designed for single-wearer use. Any other use voids the warranty of the device.”
Did you catch that? They sold us a device attached to our new SCBA (an option – like cruise control on a car) for a few hundred dollars extra – that they say we can’t use!
That warning is still on the SCBA. Probably on yours. We sent a letter to the IAFF and their Safety team sent us a letter back saying they do not advocate buddy breathing!!!!! Their letter suggested that we let the firefighter out of air “pass-out” and then drag him from the atmosphere.

So! I end with this. I know what I would do if you crawled over to me and said you were out of air or your SCBA wasn’t working. It would not involve any “connection” or bubby-breathing device. I’d buddy breathe with you! Either by removing my MMR and letting you snap into my MMR each for two breaths, or by removing my facepiece and passing it back and forth, each again for two breaths each. (I know what you were taught. Never (I hate that word) give your facepiece to anyone. They may not give it back. Think about it, if someone is that panicked that they take and try to keep your facepiece, and that is their sole focus, what could you do to get it back?? There’s about 3 or 4 things I can come up with without blinking.) So! Do you know what you would do??? Do you and your crew members have a plan in the event of an “accident” (no one “plans” to run out of air or have their SCBA break) happens????
Just think about it!

Fire Engineering University

2009-10-06T15:46:00.001-04:00

We are very proud to announce the opening of Fire Engineering University: Online Continuing Education for Firefighters. This will change the way fire service professionals approach continuing education. Our goal is to provide you with relevant, topical educational content that is easily accessible. Content written exclusively by the authors in Fire Engineering for you, serious firefighters. For a full listing of courses with descriptions, credits, and fees, go to www.fireengineeringuniversity.com.We also just completely upgraded our website, you can now comment on articles, rate them, twitter or facebook them, the whole enchilada! Also we all know FE has more content than any other site, hey the magazine is 133 years old, and because we were born yesterday we have what you want but we know it was hard to find, so we worked hard to make it easier to find the stuff you want.

I would appreciate hearing from you about the site the university and what you want us to do next. This is your site, your magazine and your profession lets us know what you need and we will do our best to get it to you. It’s like the bumper sticker says “When I am not fighting fires I am reading Fire Engineering”!!!!

CHARLESTOWN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL PARK

2009-10-03T10:23:00.001-04:00

The second and final phase of the Charlestown Firefighters Memorial Park will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 2PM at the Firefighters Memorial Park at the corner of Bunker Hill and Charles Street, Charlestown.

This second and final phase will be a fitting and noble Memorial for those Boston Firefighters, though not natives of Charlestown, who died in the Line of Duty in the highest traditions of the Boston Fire Department. These Firefighters whose names will be forever remembered on the second Memorial Stone either gave their lives while fighting fires in Charlestown, or were assigned to Charlestown Firehouses and made the Supreme Sacrifice when their assigned Engine or Ladder Companies responded to alarms of fire in other sections of the City of Boston. This final phase will honor ten additional Firefighters who died in the Line of Duty between 1903 and 1994. This second and final phase will also include four benches sponsored by Families.

The ten Firefighters to be honored are:

Captain John Ready Engine 36 March 27, 1903

Captain Edward D. Pope Engine 27 May 22, 1907

Lieutenant William H. Magner Ladder 9 December 18, 1914

Captain Florence L. Sullivan Engine 32 November 30, 1929

Firefighter Peter F. McMorrow Engine 50 November 15, 1942

Lieutenant John J. Murphy Ladder 22 April 17, 1945

Lieutenant Daniel T. McInness Engine 8 August 17, 1971

Lieutenant Thomas J. Carroll Engine 32 June 17, 1972

Firefighter Paul J. Murphy Engine 32 June 17, 1972

Lieutenant Stephen F. Minehan Ladder 15 June 24, 1994

Also at this time an additional name will be added to the original Memorial Stone in Memory of Charlestown Native, District Chief Richard E. Sullivan, Jr., District 2 who died in the Line of Duty on November 23, 1968.

After the Dedication a Reception will take place in the Bishop Lawton Hall, 313 Bunker Hill Street,

(Saint Francis de Sales Church Lower Hall). All are invited.

On October 16, 2005, the Charlestown Firefighters Memorial Park was Dedicated. The first phase of the project unveiled that day, features a Memorial Stone engraved with the names of Boston Firefighters from Charlestown who died in the Line of Duty between 1900 and 1977 and the Firefighter’s Prayer is etched on the back of the Stone. This phase also included eight benches sponsored by Organizations and Families of Firefighters, as well as a Memorial Fountain Dedicated to Father Dan Mahoney.

YONKERS FIREFIGHTER PATRICK JOYCE

2009-10-03T10:09:00.000-04:00

I regret to inform you of the death of a Yonkers Firefighter which occurred at a 3rd alarm fire early this morning while searching for occupants above the fire. Ff. Pat Joyce was trapped on the third floor with Lt. Joe Murray and Ff. Bill Kanych when the room they were searching lit up and they had to bail out a third floor window. Joe and Bill were seriously injured but expected to recover. The funeral arrangements for Pat are listed below.
Doug

YONKERS FIREFIGHTER PATRICK JOYCE

SERVICES

FUNERAL HOME: McGRATH &SONS

20 CEDAR STREET

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. 10708

914-337-6770

DIRECTIONS : htt://mcgrathandson.com/directions.htm

SERVICES ARE : SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4TH,2009

2PM- 6PM

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH,2009

2PM-4PM &7PM-9PM

FUNERAL : TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6TH,2009

9:45AM ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH

6000 RIVERDALE AVE. & 260TH STREET, BRONX, N.Y.

SERVICES TO FOLLOW AT GATE OF HEAVEN CEMETERY HAWTHORNE, N.Y.

Remembering September 11th, President Obama's way

2009-09-15T08:42:00.002-04:00

I generally let politics roll off my back. I believe I'm too ignorant about the true facts and history in general to comment. But something caught my eye (or more rightfully so - my ear) a few days back. I was listening to talk radio and the host mentioned that if you visit the White House web site (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-Patriot-Day-and-National-Day-of-Remembrance-and-Service/) the president has made September 11th. a day of "National Service and Remembrance". It's my understanding that the day before, the "Remembrance" part was not even there! Only after some initial concern was voiced was it added. Does that bother anyone except me? I realize the Web site address above says "Patriot-Day-and-National-Day-of-Remembrance-and-Service" but let me paste the actual first line of the proclamation. "NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2009, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance." Perhaps I'm being petty, but even if I did agree with sharing 9/11 with Patriot Day and a day of National Service, way the hell can't "Remembrance" come first? Many firefighters end letters, e-mails and other correspondence with "Never Forget"! Why is the President doing this? Why can't he name October 11 a day of Service? Please tell me I'm making too much of this!

Righteous Outrage!

2009-08-29T16:09:00.003-04:00

I received this update from a great friend and we should all be outraged by another example of judges who just don't take the time to get it right!

From Paul Eichler
I read in today's News Journal (8-28-09), page B3, News Briefs, the article titled "Judge: Murder charge in Smith's death may not stick". This article refers to the MURDER charge against Joseph Taye in the death of Michelle Smith. Apparently the judge, New Castle County Judge Jerome Herlihy, feels that prosecutors may have trouble getting the murder charge to stick due to Michelle's service as an EMT, not as a fire fighting member of the Delaware City Fire Company, thus leading to the question whether her role with the fire company meets the definition of "firefighter". This is OUTRAGEOUS and BLATANTLY WRONG. The entire Delaware fire service community needs to speak out about this and against the possibility of the charge being reduced or dropped due to a technicality. There should be no question about the charge of murder in this case, whether Michelle was fulfilling her duties with the fire company, or a bystander on the side of the road.

Again, the Delaware fire service, ambulance service, emergency response service communities MUST stand up and make sure that the murder charges stand, and Taye pays for his wanton disregard for Michelle's life.

Please forward to anyone and everyone who can help to make sure this does not become another "technicality" train wreck.

Thank you,

Paul Eichler
Dover, Delaware

I'm Back - Again!

2009-08-18T18:54:00.006-04:00

Bobby is taking a well deserved vacation and I have volunteered to step up and write something for the blog. Now what? An update on me! Glad you asked. I'm still very happily retired. It's everything I ever dreamed of and more. I'm doing a few teaching jobs this fall and early next year. Just enough to keep my hands in it.
I do miss most of the members of the job in Toledo. After 32 years and you can't simply not miss those you have crawled on the floor with, helped take SCBA's off of a tired back of and drank a warm cup of coffee with at 4:00 a.m. after a job.
I stay away - intentionally. They don't need me and I know I'd just stick my nose in where it wasn't needed. Besides, I'm now 200 miles away.

Several of us got together in Tulsa to go over last years FDIC and discuss the magazine (of course Fire Engineering). 2009 FDIC was great. Almost 30,000 firefighters from all over the world visited Indy during that week. It was full of great presentations, training and exhibits along with two mornings of main programs. If you have never attended a FDIC, you don't know what you are missing.

In Tulsa, we discussed the proposals that came in for 2010's FDIC. The proposals were all very good and it will be a task to choose which ones will appear on the program next April.
Anyway, Bobby is the news provider for this blog. That's one of the many things he's good at and he has a lot of contacts. I on the other hand am more "local" with my news stories. As an example, West Chester (Ohio) FD just moved into a new Head quarters. I took a tour last week and it is absolutely unbelievable. Also, Tom across the street got a new lawn mower and the lady next door is pregnant - again. Pretty good stuff Huh!
I know what you are all thinking by now - "when the hell is Bobby coming back". I think next week. Till then, you can ask me almost anything in a comment below. Might be fun. If I don't know the answer, I'll get one for you or I'll ask Bobby next week.

FDNY Commissioner Comments on Ricci Decision

2009-07-08T10:29:00.005-04:00

In an opinion editorial posted this morning in the New York daily news FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Nicholas Scoppetta discusses how the FDNY has been working successfully improve its diversity without imposing quotas How to get diversity -- without resorting to racial quotasRead more:

The Commissioner opened his piece this way The policies and practices used in the past to promote workplace diversity have long been in need of change. The Supreme Court affirmed that last week, when it found in favor of a group of white firefighters from New Haven, including Frank Ricci, who claimed reverse discrimination after that city tossed out results of a promotional exam because it did not advance any black firefighters.

A testing system that favors one group at the expense of another does not create a positive work environment for anyone. How is it fair to minority firefighters when they're brought in under a cloud of resentment? Those tasked with walking into burning buildings must have the mutual respect and trust of their fellow firefighters. Lives depend on it.

He raises some very interesting points going forward is going to be interesting to see how disparate impact is going to be managed in promotional exam
results.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/07/08/2009-07-08_how_to_get_diversity__without_resorting_to_racial_quotas.html#ixzz0Kg7ZkUOG&C
f

New SAFER Rules

2009-06-25T01:05:00.003-04:00

FROM THE IAFF
President Obama Approves New SAFER Rules

In an economic crisis, changes will allow fire departments to use
SAFER grants to retain fire fighters

Washington, DC President Obama today approved new rules that govern how fire departments can use funding from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response SAFER grant program, an important change during an economic crisis that is responsible for widespread layoffs of fire fighters throughout the country.

The new guidelines will apply to the $210 million that Congress approved for SAFER for Fiscal Year 2009. The IAFF wrote and lobbied for the new provision that was included in HR 2346, the Supplemental Appropriation bill which was initiated and supported by President Obama to allow the use of SAFER grant funding to rehire laid off fire fighters and prevent fire department staffing reductions that occurred as a result of the current financial crisis.

With its passage, the bill grants Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano the discretion to waive the rules governing the current SAFER program and make funds available to save IAFF members jobs. The IAFF will immediately begin working with DHS to develop new rules that outline how SAFER grants can be used to address the current wave of staffing cuts.

Changes in this supplemental appropriation extend a lifeline to fire departments across the nation at a time when fire fighters are losing their jobs, International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger said. Adequate staffing is the most critical component to effective response and civilian and fire fighter safety.

The SAFER Act provides money for all departments to increase staffing, which is the most pressing need among all departments across the country. The funding is available to all fire departments. Under the original law, passed in 2004, communities could only receive a SAFER grant if they planned to increase fire department staffing levels. Fire fighters hired with SAFER grants had to be retained for at least five years and fire department couldnt reduce staffing levels during this period. Those restrictions have combined to prohibit fire departments from using SAFER grants to prevent layoffs, and have discouraged fire departments from applying for SAFER grants during this current economic recession.

The rule changes approved today by the president eliminate the language that has prevented using this money to alleviate the need to lay off a fire fighter. In addition, President Obama is proposing 420 million for SAFER in his Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

Atlanta Chief Kelvin Cochran Possible USFA Director

2009-06-25T00:54:00.004-04:00

I recently had the opportunity to speak at the IAFC Metro fire chiefs conference, while there; I briefly asked Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran if he was being vetted currently for the job of director for the United States fire administration. While Chief Cochran could neither confirm nor deny that he was currently having his background investigation conducted. It did appear that the chief is under consideration and probably will accept the position, if it is offered to him. In speaking with the chief, he was very clear that he did not apply on his own, others had nominated him for the position. However it would be foolhardy to believe that any officer of his standing and credibility would not accept such an important and influential position.

In speaking with many of the chiefs in attendance at the conference there was widespread belief that Chief Cochran would do a good job. Fire Engineering is sure that there is nothing in the chiefs background, which would disqualify him for the position and believe that he will make an outstanding director of the United States Fire Administration. Perhaps premature however if it is as it appears, congratulations and good luck Brother Cochran.

NFPA Ambulance Committee - First Meeting - June 17th, 2009

2009-06-17T23:04:00.006-04:00

In case you missed it, NFPA recently formed a committee to write standards for ambulance design. Why? Well, partly because they can. Partly because they were overwhelmingly successful in writing a consensus standard for fire apparatus design (NFPA 1901 - 2009 version), partly because 62% of fire U.S. fire services responses in 2007 were for medical aid calls (59% of fire departments provide EMS), and partly because the feds want out of the ambulance standard writing business. Firstly, as a member of the committee, I'm required to mention that every word you read here is my informal opinion, not the opinion of NFPA. So there.

The Committee, following the usual NFPA format, will ultimately consist of 30 members divided evenly into 10 representatives from manufacturers, 10 from users, and 10 from regulators. The operant words, "open" and "fair" define the NFPA process (http://www.nfpa.org/). What happened at the first meeting? Well, imagine a couple dozen folks from the previously mentioned groups sitting in a room together - any room, anywhere. You could cut the tension with a knife, err - make that a chainsaw. So there were a few presentations: ambulance crash data (or lack thereof), history of federal government ambulance specifications, development process of the NFPA 1901 standard, resources available from NFPA, and the standards development process. Lunchtime.

First problem: define ambulance. Couldn't do it. Created a subcommittee. Next question: what's out there already? Probably the most popular are the federal KKK-A-1822 standard and the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Ambulance Manufacturers Division (AMD) standard (2007 version). Why reinvent the wheel? Another subcommittee. Merge KKK and AMD with the NFPA 1901 format and let's see where the cards lie.

Not a bad start. In fact, the initial nervousness that some cockamamie standard was sure to be concocted that would blow the socks off the EMS world quite obviously was not on any member's radar. Phew! People actually seemed to leave reassured that consensus is within reach, maybe more within reach than it was for writing fire apparatus design standards. There were common goals amongst the players and now a sense of purpose that will lend itself to a deliberate path. The two subcommittees will report by the end of August, probably on a phone conference. Then the real work will begin. Timeline? Anyone's guess. Don't hold your breath. You'll be cyanotic.

Mike McEvoy
EMS Editor
Fire Engineering magazine
(and NFPA Ambulance Committee member)

From Bennie Thompson

2009-06-16T15:20:00.003-04:00

June 16, 2009 WASHINGTON Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement following the release of the final round of grant allocations for FY2009 by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano: Im very pleased to see that the President and the Secretary have prioritized homeland security grant funding despite the current economic crisis. The allocation of over 1.7 billion will enhance the Nations preparedness, response, and resilience for all types of catastrophic incidents. In particular, the Committee supports the increase of funding to the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program and the Urban Areas Security Initiative two vital grant programs aimed at protecting and securing our Nations highest risk areas. We applaud the Departments partnership with State, local, and tribal governments as well as the non-profit sector and appreciate the Departments recent commitment to increase stakeholder outreach moving forward.

This was just posted from the Homeland security chairmans office, 1.7 billion, how much did we give the car companies, the banks, the insurance companies? I hope at the next disaster we see bankers driving insurance representatives in GM cars racing to the rescue. It just seeems like so much is being spent but so little is going to Americas defenders. Maybe we arent too big to fail, or maybe it is because failure to us is not an option.

FDIC Online Free Training

2009-06-03T11:02:00.005-04:00

FDIC Online the only FREE conference in the Fire Service is having a sneak preview TODAY June 3rd. online! The FREE Online Show is June 10 and 11 with dozens of great booths and an incredible lounge to meet and visit with your fellow firefighters and instructors and share a virtual beer!

Here is the line-up: The Politics of Safety Frank Ricci, Director of Fire Services, ConnectiCOSH Engine Company Tips and Tactics Firefighter Jeff Shupe, Cleveland (OH) Fire Department Leading with Attitude Division Chief Eddie Buchanan, Hanover (VA) Fire and EMS Search Operations for Todays Fireground Fire Engineer Jeff Seaton, San Jose (CA) Fire Department Tactical Decision Making Battalion Chief Steve Chikerotis, Chicago (IL) Fire Department The Company Officers Role in Safety and Survial Forest Reeder, Battalion Chief/Director of Training and Safety, Pleasantview (IL) Fire Protection District Wood-Frame Construction, Principles, and Hazards Paul T. Dansbach, Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Safety, Rutherford, NJ
The FDIC Online Event Sneak Preview is now open if you neeed to register go to click on this link http://www.fdiconlineevent.com/index.html

A War Surgeon's Perspective on Memorial Day

2009-05-22T17:20:00.001-04:00

This essay was written by my friend and colleage, Dr. John P. Pryor. He was a trauma surgeon who refused to be idle when so many wounded Americans and Iraqis could be helped by his skills. He enlisted in the Army reserve and wrote this article after completing his first tour in Iraq.

“In other fighting, one marine was killed in the Al Anbar providence after a humvee he was riding in hit an IED.” That was what I read in the AP news piece. It was one line of several paragraphs that summed up the days casualties in Iraq during another day of the war that has gone on for three years now. These reports are so common, most people do not even read them, or listen to the 30 second blurb that follows, “Another day of violence in Iraq where…” on the evening news. For us, the reality is much different, a horrific drama that is played out in the field, in forward surgery tents, and combat support hospitals every single day.

Today the warning came over the radio, “urgent litter coming in by ground” I immediately respond to the ETR where the buzz is usually in full swing. “IED, Marines” is all the ETR nurse said as I walked in. Damn, I thought. One day left – all I asked God for was no more marines with one-day left on my tour. The hospital staff went into full swing – these people are at the end of a yearlong deployment here, they are experienced, hardened, and cool under pressure. The activity was programmed and efficient. I took my position at the head of bed number one, put my head down and waited.

Within a few minutes the litter team burst into the ETR with the first patient. I could see his arms dangling off the stretcher with bone exposed, and I immediately knew that this was going to be a bad one. When the litter was pulled up aside the bed, I saw the full extent of what I was up against. Driver, I thought to myself. The drivers always seem to get the full force of the IED. There is a pungent smell of gasoline and burned flesh. My first order of business was to remove the IBA before we move him over; to do this we have to sit him up in order to pull the arms through the IBA sleeves. When we did, his arms, broken in several places on each side, flopped around like a puppet. As we moved him over, I tried to ignore the massive tissue destruction of his legs, and focus on potential life threatening chest and abdomen. He was moaning, actually a good sign, the brain was still getting blood flow. Anesthesia moved to intubate him, as the emergency medicine physician started the primary survey. Nurses started lines, lab was there to bring blood, medics held pressure on bleeding wounds, all in a dance that has been repeated so many times before.

The other patients began to file in, eventually filling the ETR. One soldier in a bed next to ours was calling out to my patient, ignoring his own gaping wounds “Your going be okay man, hang in there.” I began to focus on the problem and my plan. Both legs had massive tissue destruction. The left thigh was torn apart and burned with a tourniquet at the groin. The right leg was mangled below the knee with a tourniquet above that. There was a neck wound that wasn’t bleeding and shrapnel to the face. Both arms had multiple levels of open fractures. The pulse was weak and the blood pressure was barely readable. We hung blood immediately. The chest x-ray did not show any thoracic injury. We shot an abdominal film to look for shrapnel that may have gone into the belly – none. As we moved to the OR the hospital commander stopped me to ask if he was going to make it. I told him that I was worried that once we start to resuscitate him, the bleeding would become even worse, and I didn’t know if he would make it. His head dropped as he walked back to the chaos of the ETR.

In the operating room we started by getting control of the external bleeding of the legs. There was blood coming from everywhere; bright red arterial blood, dark blue venous blood, and areas where the two swirled together in pools between the flesh. Two orthopedic surgeons and I worked frantically to get control of the bleeding, which as predicted, became worse as we started to resuscitate him. Anesthesia was struggling to keep a blood pressure, infusing unit after unit of packed red blood cells, and plasma. I was having trouble finding the source of some bleeding high on the thigh, and I was going deeper and deeper into the groin to track down the source. Suddenly my hand broke into a space, and a gush of blood came out. I realized that I was in the retroperitoneal space and the bleeding was coming from here. This was the worse case scenario. Bleeding from this location is the toughest area in the body to control. The packing did nothing; blood flowed from the wound in a constant stream. We opened the abdominal cavity and clamped the arteries that feed the pelvis, but it didn’t help. Bleeding from this area is almost always from large veins that cannot be controlled with sutures or arterial control. We packed as tight as we could, and then put a sheet around the pelvis to pull the bones together in an attempt to tamponade the bleeding, but it was not enough. His heart went into a lethal arrhythmia. We shocked him, and pumped epinephrine into his blood stream. After a few minutes, his heart stopped for the last time.

The marine was dead.

There was an immediate silence in the operating room as soon as I announced the time of death. Most of the staff had tears running down their faces; this was a long year for them with so many of these kids dying in this room. I could not physically move for several minutes. I looked at this young kid, a child, and I apologized to him for not being skillful enough to save him. As a trauma surgeon every death I have is painful, every one takes a little out of me. Loosing these kids here in Iraq rips a hole through my soul so large that it hard for me to continue breathing. After a few minutes, I collected myself and began to direct the care for his final journey home. We closed what we could of the wounds, and wrapped the ones we couldn’t get together. We washed all of the dirt and oil off his skin, combed his hair and washed his face. He was transferred to a litter and brought to a private enclosed room where we placed him inside a heavy black body bag. The body was draped with the American flag and a guard was posted. The chaplain gathered some of the providers and we said prayers over the body.

There was, and always is, a palpable grief that comes over the entire staff when we loose an American solider. Everyone is affected, and everyone deals with it in a different way. For me, this is not an objective depressing thing to be a part of; it is very, very personal. I was the surgeon who couldn’t save him. For me the grief is intolerable. I become the focus of the morning for the staff– people come and give me a hug. They ask me if I am okay, they pray for me. I appreciate it and hate it at the same time. Often my misery turns into anger. Sometimes I become angry with God for allowing this to happen. I just want the whole thing to be over, and all of these kids to go home to their families and live long lives. I have seen so many soldiers and marines die here; I just want it all to end.

As I made my way out of the hospital, I saw the marine unit gathered together. Two humvees where parked, and weapons were leaning against the vehicle. I notice this immediately because a marine is never without his weapon, they would never be stacked like that. These were the weapons of all the marines injured in the latest attack. I spoke with the first sergeant, the father figure of a marine unit. I know him well, we have lost several of his marines and had many more injured and treated here. We arrange for his buddies to come in and say goodbye, something that I cannot even bear to watch. After a time of reflection, the unit gathers the equipment and prepares to go out again that night. This is some of the raw courage that I talk about, the ability to loose a friend in battle and go right back into the fight. I love every single one of them.

The body was eventually taken to the LZ and loaded into a helicopter with some of his buddies as escorts. He is taken to BIAP where mortuary affairs prepared the body for transport home. A friend of mine was at BIAP when the body was loaded onto the C-130. All activity on the tarmac stops when the casket is brought onto the airstrip. All personnel in the area stop what they are doing and attend a 45-minute ceremony on the airstrip. They tell me that this happens twice to three times a day, but everyone takes time out to attend the ceremonies. Soldiers manifested in these flights are going home or on R&R, and as anxious they are to leave, they all take the time to honor the marine. An honor guard then brings the flag draped casket onto the aircraft with full military honors. The casket is situated in the center of the aircraft with nothing placed on either side or directly in front or back. Personnel then enter the aircraft and accompany the marine to Kuwait. In Kuwait the casket is removed first, again with a full honor guard. The marine will be brought to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, and then eventually home and to his final resting place.

If I could say something to this Marine’s parents it would be this: I am so sorry that you have lost your son. We, above everyone else, know that he was a true American hero. I want you to know that the Marines, medics, doctors, nurses and of the 344th CSH did everything possible to save him. I want you to know that I personally did everything that I could, and that I am sorry that it wasn’t enough. I want you to know that although we never knew your son, we loved him. I want you to know that although he lost his life, we preserved his dignity after death. We held his hand when he died and prayed for his soul and for God to give you strength. I want you to know that he had great friends who cared deeply for him and that they were also here when he died. He was never alone for his journey back to you. I also want you to know that I will never forget your son, and that I will pray for him and all of the children lost in this war.

IED - improvised explosive device
ETR - emergency treatment room
LZ – landing zone
BIAP – Baghdad international airport
IBA – individual body armor
R&R – rest and relaxation
CSH – combat support hospital

John P. Pryor, MD was a trauma surgeon at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and a Major in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps. He was the general/trauma surgeon for the 344th Combat Support Hospital in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. John was killed on Christmas day 2008 during his second tour in Iraq.

Posted by Mike McEvoy
EMS Editor
Fire Engineering magazine

Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates Recognize National EMS Week

2009-05-19T14:35:00.003-04:00

Monday May 18 2009 marks the beginning of National EMS Week and presents an opportunity to honor the men and women who deliver pre-hospital 9-1-1 emergency medical care throughout the United States. This vital service is provided primarily by cross trained multi role emergency responders who are based in our nations fire departments. Over the past 35 years the fire service has been re-tooled to be an all hazards responder including the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical care. Fire service-based EMS providers are located trained and equipped to provide virtually every community with timely pre-hospital 9-1-1 emergency medical response and patient care. Firefighter/EMTs and paramedics respond quickly professionally and compassionately in communities across the United States and they do it everyday.

The Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates coalition recognizes the life-saving contributions and achievements as well as the dedication and commitment of those who serve in Fire Service-Based EMS systems. National EMS Week is a time to pause and say thank you to the entire EMS Community, including firefighter/EMTs and paramedics our nations all hazards response professionals.

The Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates coalition based in Washington DC provides Members of Congress and federal agencies with information they need to effectively support Fire Service-Based EMS systems throughout the nation. For more information about the Fire Service-Based EMS Advocates and how to join the coalition, visit www.fireserviceems.com.

H1N1 Flu: Get Your Facts Straight

2009-05-03T12:19:00.002-04:00

Egypt ordered a mass slaughtering of pigs as a supposed precaution against swine flu. Vice President Joe Biden told Today show host Matt Lauer that airplane and subway travel posed high risk for flu virus transmission. An ED doc in the Dallas area purportedly circulated a panicked email claiming the National Stockpile is virtually depleted, local EDs are overrun with flu cases and the media is engaging in a full blown cover up of actual flu cases. It seems like swine flu idiots are everywhere. Never has a time been more opportune for Fire/EMS providers to exercise what they do best: keep people from panicking.

Investigation of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus, although genetically linked to pigs, has not been found in swine. Pigs do not appear to be involved in the ongoing spread of infections. In an effort to leave the poor pigs alone, the World Health Organization asked that we replace the term “swine flu” with H1N1 influenza A. Hopefully, Egypt got the memo. Joe “shoot from the lips” Biden certainly got a memo from his boss, President Obama, as the White House went into damage control mode. And the Dallas ED doc has no doubt been deluged by calls from his more sensible colleagues. A Harvard School of Public Health study reveals the extent of the panic: full 46% of Americans believe they or someone in their family will get sick from the H1N1 flu within the next 12 months!

Here’s what you need to do to step up to the plate and put the smack down on swine flu idiocy. The public wants answers. Fire/EMS providers want information. Information overload and panicked messages abound. Firstly, you need three sources of information: the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and your state and local information filtered through your department or service. The CDC set up a nifty minute-to-minute update site at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/whatsnew.htm. Scope it out. Everything you need to know is right there; if you want email updates, RSS feeds, or a Twitter follow, that’s there too. The WHO is not so sophisticated, but offers a wealth of information at www.who.int. Local info should be all this and more, but whoa: no need for overload! Your department (pay attention Chiefs) must keep you up to date on your state and local activities and get it to you before the newspaper or CNN. Local info must be filtered – you don’t care how tissue specimens need to be submitted for pathology evaluation nor do you give a hoot about precautions hospitals are taking when caring for suspected flu patients. Your department must give you manageable, filtered, understandable, and timely information needed to do your job and answer questions from your family and the public.

New York State loves paper, memos and advisories. Their Health Department wasn’t too happy with me when I passed their flu advisories on to my Fire/EMS services with commentary that they contained nothing of value to EMS. Guess what? State EMS folks quickly caught on and have themselves started qualifying transmittals with a listing of the salient points specific to EMS. That’s what I need, what you need, and what we all need in a time when our mailboxes are totally overloaded.

Here are some things the public wants to know. Firstly, “how do I know if I have the flu?” Most influenza infections share common characteristics: high fever, chills, myalgias (body aches), headache, non-productive cough, sore throat, and runny nose. The hallmark differentiating flu from other viral illnesses (such as the common cold) is rapid onset. Common cold virus symptoms begin gradually and tend to worsen over time. Influenza symptoms often begin abruptly, causing a perfectly well person to instantly become extremely ill. Fevers typically exceed 101°F; such body temperatures are quite disabling. Influenza A H1N1 infections have included all these typical flu symptoms and, in a small number of patients, vomiting and diarrhea as well.

Secondly, “what is the flu and how do I get it?” All influenza variants are respiratory viruses. They are transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions from an infected person who is coughing or sneezing. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 5 days between exposure and onset of symptoms; most average 2 days. Viral illnesses are communicable for a maximum of 1 to 2 days before symptoms appear and from 4 to 5 days afterwards. The greatest period of communicability correlates with fever. As a public health tool, 7 days is considered the maximum period during which symptoms would appear following an exposure. For reasons not well understood, children can remain communicable for much longer periods of time.

Thirdly, “how close is too close?” Respiratory secretions are large droplets; they don’t travel very far. The “hot zone” around an infected person is considered to be less than 6 feet. Beyond that, even a forceful cough or sneeze would be highly unlikely to land droplets on another person. Placing a simple surgical mask or oxygen mask over an infected person reduces the “hot zone” to inches. When a patient is masked and health care providers also wear N-95 or better respirator masks, human-to-human spread becomes virtually impossible. There is little evidence that wearing surgical masks in the community will reduce spread of infection but, if it makes the public feel safer, the practice should not be discouraged. At the very least, an asymptomatic infected person (who is potentially communicable) wearing a mask in public significantly reduces their likelihood for infecting others. Airplanes, trains, public transportation, and places of mass assembly are no more dangerous right now that they have been during the past six month flu season. Sure, there is a risk of someone coughing or sneezing on you. The greater risk, however, lie with what or who you touch and whether you remember to wash your hands.

Fourth, “how long can flu virus live on surfaces?” Good question. Respiratory droplets can land virtually anywhere. Doorknobs, telephones, computer keyboards, steering wheels, faucets, dishes…the list is endless. Environmental temperature and humidity strongly affect virus survival; in fact, flu season begins and ends when weather conditions change. As a guideline, influenza viruses will survive on hard non-porous surfaces such as steel and plastic for 24 to 48 hours and cloth, paper, or tissue for 8 to 12 hours. Once picked up on your hands, viruses last for 5 to 15 minutes although within this time period, all it takes is touching your face, mouth, eyes, or nose to transfer the virus into your respiratory tract to produce infection. Two rules are obvious: wash your hands often and keep your hands away from your face.

Fifth, “what should I do if I think I have the flu?” It depends on how sick you are. Despite media accounts, the H1N1 influenza has typically produced only mild illness. If illness is severe, or an infected person has other medical problems, antiviral medications may be helpful to reduce the severity and duration of the illness but only if started within 48 hours of when symptoms began. The best advice is to stay at home so you don’t infect others, call your health care provider, rest, drink plenty of liquids, and use the same cold and fever remedies you ordinarily use. The flu season has not yet ended in the United States; many people worried they had contracted the H1N1 flu have either not had influenza at all or had a seasonal variant of the flu. Many of these illnesses could have been prevented by seasonal flu vaccination. Take the opportunity to remind friends, family, and the public of this. Influenza is a serious illness. Over 200,000 Americans are hospitalized and 36,000 die each year from the flu. WHO estimates there are over 500 million cases worldwide, killing over 250,000 people annually. So who are we testing for the H1N1 flu? People who show signs of febrile respiratory illness and have traveled to or had contact in the past 7 days with people who have either traveled to Mexico, been infected with the H1N1 flu, or live in a community where there have been cases of H1N1 infection. And is the treatment any different for H1N1 flu versus seasonal flu? Nope, not at all.

Sixth, “is there a vaccine?” Not yet. The CDC announced that they had identified the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus on May 2nd, 2009 and will begin development of a vaccine. With current technology, this will not be ready for several months, hopefully in time for next year’s flu season. Keep in mind that a variant of H1N1 is included every year in the seasonal flu vaccine and this may possibly provide some immunity to the new virus.

Lastly, “is it safe to eat pork?” Yes; pigs do not carry the H1N1 influenza A, people do. Don’t eat people.

Let’s keep this outbreak in perspective. As all hazard responders to the emergency needs of our communities, we must prepare for the worst. We are not certain what direction the H1N1 flu will take. But the facts are being grossly blown out of proportion. The US city with the largest number of H1N1 cases is New York. Despite 8 million New Yorkers living and working in close quarters, the infection has failed to spread beyond the Queens high school students originally infected in Mexico. New Yorkers ride subways, buses, trains, and crowded elevators every day.
The public looks to firefighters and EMS providers in times of crisis. There are plenty of swine flu idiots out there. Panic serves no one. Let’s help calm the hysteria by offering common sense, practical help to each other and our communities. It’s what we do best.

Mike McEvoy
EMS Editor
Fire Engineering Magazine

Swine Flu: What You Must Do Now

2009-04-27T09:32:00.004-04:00

The swine flu buzz is causing information overload. There are three things pertinent to the fire service that must be implemented immediately to protect your members, provide excellent patient care, and be a good public health partner. Here's the list:

Fire Service Leaders

Immediately notify all members and staff of the emerging problem.
Review your plans using the CDC EMS Pandemic Preparedness checklist.
Set up an email list and web site to provide continual updates and info for your members.
Monitor news reports and government resources. Communicate with your local public health officials. Use the CDC minute-to-minute swine flu update site.

Communications Center/Dispatch Leaders

Implement severe respiratory infection (SRI) screening for all callers with chest pain, difficulty breathing, headache, or general illness (sick person). If using the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), activate the SRI drop down on ProQA or add the following questions to paper card numbers 6, 10, 18, and 26 for further interrogation: (a) has the patient recently been in Mexico (or other outbreak location) or exposed to anyone who has (paying particular attention to those who stayed for 7 days or longer)? (b) are they febrile or have a fever and, if so, is it higher than 101 F (38 C) and (c) do they have a cough or other respiratory illness symptoms?
Relay responses to these questions to EMS units before they arrive on scene.

Firefighters and EMS Providers

Request additional information from dispatch when sent to respiratory, sick person and fever related calls if limited initial dispatch information is provided.
Perform initial interview of all patients from at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) away to determine if personal protective equipment precautions are necessary.
Place a mask on all patients with suspected influenza symptoms before approach. Use a surgical mask or non-rebreather mask (when oxygen is required).
Avoid droplet producing procedures whenever possible including nebulizers, bag-valve-mask, suctioning or intubation. If bag-valve-masks are needed, use BVMs with HEPA filters whenever possible.
Recommended PPE for taking care of ill/potentially infected patients includes: gloves and N95 or better respirators. PPE should be donned and doffed according to published guidelines to prevent cross contamination, including faceshield/eye and gown protection when splash or airborne contamination is possible.
Alert receiving hospital personnel of the possibility of an infectious patient as soon as possible and hold suspected infectious patients in the ambulance until their destination in the hospital is known, rather than immediately moving them into the emergency department.
Perform a thorough cleaning of the stretcher and all equipment that has come in contact with or been within 2 meters (6.5 feet) with an approved disinfectant, upon completion of the call following CDC interim guidelines for cleaning EMS transport vehicles.

Remember that this is a continually evolving situation. The most severe flu cases so far have been mostly adults from ages 25 to 45, but patients of all ages have been infected, so the same precautions should be used for all patients. We need to stay on heightened alert until this threat has been controlled. As with all infectious diseases, always remember that hand washing is the number one way to decrease transmission!

Mike McEvoy - EMS Editor - Fire Engineering

Swine Flu: A Pandemic On the Way?

2009-04-24T22:17:00.003-04:00

Uh oh. By now, you've probably read our breaking news reporting a swine flu outbreak in Southern California and Texas. Is this novel virus with confirmed human-to-human transmission the start of a pandemic? Maybe, maybe not. The CDC released a MMWR report with full details of the US cases investigated as of Friday afternoon, April 24th, 2009. The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned.

The formula for a pandemic requires 3 things: a novel virus to which all or most people are susceptible, transmissability from person to person, and wide geographic spread. So far, we have a novel virus that appears most people are susceptible to. There has been person-to-person transmission. Wide geographic spread has yet to happen. Essentially, we are (overnight, no less) one step closer to a pandemic than the bird flu. Preliminary CDC incubation period estimates are 1 to 7 days. This is expected to be narrowed to 2 to 5 days with further data. That means we will likely see a pandemic or not within a very short time.

What to do? First, don't panic. Second, wash your hands. Often. Third, take an inventory of where you and your department stand. The CDC Pandemic Influenza EMS Planning Checklist has been available for over 3 years. Review the checklist and make sure you have adequate stockpiles of PPE including N-95 masks and hand hygiene gels. You will not be able to purchase or order them during a pandemic. Check availability of antivirals for your members. Review your sick leave and staffing contingency plans. Assure you have current contacts with public health, government, and hospital officials. Be certain your 911 center can handle calls when no EMS services or hospital beds are available. By now, all these matters should be in place. Make certain they are.

Watch the CDC (www.cdc.gov) and the WHO (www.who.int) for updates and notices. Hopefully, this outbreak remains simply an outbreak.

Mike McEvoy
Fire Engineering EMS Editor

HIPAA Horsepucky

2009-04-23T11:32:00.003-04:00

In small town news worthy of national laughter, the City of Albany, New York treasurer refused to release copies of forgiven parking tickets to an investigating committee citing HIPAA privacy rules. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, for those with momentary lapse of memory, provided protections against unauthorized and unnecessary disclosure of medical records. Fire/EMS services made numerous business modifications to comply with HIPAA. Some 13 years after implementation, HIPAA remains poorly understood and is often incorrectly cited by folks unwilling or uninterested in sharing information.

I've heard nurses not want to update family members about a loved one's condition, hospitals refuse to provide patient information to an EMS crew who had treated and transported the patient, firefighters refuse to tell a family member or friend where a patient had been transported - all wrongly in the name of HIPAA.

HIPAA was designed to prevent medical information from falling into the wrong hands. Parking tickets are not medical information. Anyone a patient wants to know about their medical condition is entitled to have that information. Any health care provider who treats a patient is entitled to medical information about that patient. EMS services are required to post HIPAA information on their web sites and provide education on HIPAA to their members and employees. This parking ticket fiasco serves as an outright silly example of how convoluted HIPAA misinterpretations have become. It's probably time to check the HIPAA knowledge in your department.

Mike McEvoy
EMS Editor
Fire Engineering