Hi Again

Been a while since I have posted, wanted to update you on a few things;
1. We will be leaving Lonoke April 1 2008 at 07:00 at that time Southern will be moving into our old station (we sold it to the city of Lonoke)
2. I will be beginning the interview process for the Captain applicants this week. I will give you more as this unfolds.
3. 511 just got back from Excellance where it was repaired, 609 is almost done, and should arrive next week. We will be sending 407 to be remounted.

Family blames ambulance company for death

I am sure you have heard the story by now, below is the link to the newspaper article.

NLR TIMES

Chili Cook Off

The first MEMS chili cook off was held at station one Saturday night. The competition was fierce, with 10 separate entries.

Our Judges

We brought in Trained Chef Bill Warren. Bill’s credentials included, owner of Twin City Brokerage, member of the Coleman Cooking Team, past judge at many events including the state fair, as well as an official judge of the Miss. Arkansas Pageant to name only a few..

LT John Sparks- John is with Asp and serves as the pilot to the Governor. Traveling with the governor has allowed John to be apart of many such functions around our great state. John is also a cook himself.

Debbie Thompson- Not only is she my wife, but quite the cook in her own right. She works PRN for Twin City Brokerage as an account rep. and has worked many food shows.

And then of course me, my only credentials are I know how to eat. ..

Prize Money

Craig Jones stated out the prize money with $ 50.00 of his own money donated from his building company Payton Place Homes. He was successful in getting not only his $50.00 matched, but had others join him, the list was:

Ø Marlin Doucet $100.00

Ø Dr. Fahdi $100.00

Ø Dr. Wendall Pahls $100.00

Ø Dr. Chuck Mason $100.00,

Ø Craig Jones upped his to an even $100.00

Ø Jon Swanson $100.00.

The winners were

1. Terri Lee $300.00
2. Michelle Bentley $200.00
3. Bob and Peggy Jones $100.00

Great job to all !!

We are posting for Captain positions

I wanted to announce that the process has begun. The number is not a solid number, so I cant tell you how many will be chosen. Each applicant will got through testing, interview, etc.. These people are joining the management team, so I am looking for not only excellent performance skills, but also an equally great attitude and a willingness to learn.

A change of status form must be turned to my office no later than March 10 at 08:00.

Greg

New Training/Saftey Officer

Congratulations to Carrie Stewart on being selected as the new training/safety officer. She begins right away as the third employee assigned full time to training. She will be doing a combination of teaching, clerical and safety. As you are aware we have almost outgrown this property, however we have found one more place to add an office in the training building. The construction should begin within the week.

Some poetry help for Valentines

I know that you have all been busy, and maybe, just maybe you did not have the time to find that just right piece of prose for that one you love…well look no further. I searched and found some of the best poems and sayings I could for this special day. I am thinking about getting into the card business

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown

You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover's arms can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip. ~Jonathan Carroll, "Outside the Dog Museum"

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. ~Author Unknown

True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked. ~Erich Segal

Maybe the best is:

A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it. ~Frank A. Clark

OK maybe I should not go in to the greeting card business.......

Great Job!

I received a compliment from a Trooper who observed unit 502 navigate an intersection the crew was Latisha Johnson and Jennifer Hess I am always glad to pass on good news. Job Well Done!!

Greg,
I wanted to compliment one of your drivers. Saturday afternoon (02-09-08) around 2:00 p.m., my family and I were in Little Rock and observed a MEMS unit traveling south on Broadway in an emergency mode. We were traveling east on Markham. Your driver approached the intersection with caution and basically stopped to make sure the intersection was clear before proceeding. Since you and I generally hear form people complaining about the operation of an emergency vehicle I thought you would like to hear about some responsible driving.

Lindsey

Lindsey Williams

Lieutenant, Arkansas State Police

Storm Pictures

Vital Link Unit parked in their station crew uninjured


Hospital In Mountian View

Medical Clinic across from the Hospital

Tuesday evening was one of the deadliest in Arkansas in a long time. My brother went to check on his cabin and brought back these pictures from Mountain View. I do not wish harm on anyone, but am very grateful that our coverage area was not hit. Thank you to all who came in when we went to red status. I appreciate the understanding that was shown. We all know that not everyone will "go" to the MCI, but everyone is needed to strengthen our resources in a way that we can go at all. When American Airlines 1420 crashed, many who were on duty that evening were left at their outlying station, or doing a code 3, or even sitting at I/30 and Broadway, yet when we passed out recognition, everyone on duty that night were recognized, and all wear the 1420 ribbon on their uniform. It takes us all, in whatever area we are assigned to get the job done. 911 calls don’t stop because a tornado came or a plane crashed etc... I am glad that I work with a group that understands that process. We did have some learning’s the other night, by that I mean, we found some things that we can sharpen or do better with the next time. And believe me there will be a next time, there always is, that is why we are here.

Retirement Plan Meetings – Next Week

Mark Thornton of Retirement Plan Advisors will be here next week to discuss the upcoming changes in MEMS Retirement Plan, and to explain the Managed Account Option that will now be available. Everyone should attend one of the following meetings.

February 11, 2008 Monday 18:00 – 20:00

February 12, 2008 Tuesday 15:00 – 17:00

19:00 – 21:00

February 13, 2008 Wednesday 7:00 – 9:00

13:00 – 15:00

17:00 – 19:00

February 14, 2008 Thursday 8:00 – 10:00

13:30 – 15:30

19:00 – 21:00

All meetings will be in the large classroom of the Training Building.

Our newest in-house paramedic class

Great looking group!

Acinetobacter update from Mack

I have at least one call a day on Acinetobacter. This stuff is really no threat to us “healthy” healthcare workers. Spreading it to the immunosupressed, it critical and we have to do our part to prevent this. Taking it home to our families is not a good idea either!

Acinetobacter (ass in ée toe back ter) is a group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water. It can also be found on the skin of healthy people, especially healthcare personnel. While there are many types or “species” of Acinetobacter and all can cause human disease, Acinetobacter baumannii accounts for about 80% of reported infections.

Outbreaks of Acinetobacter infections typically occur in intensive care units and healthcare settings housing very ill patients. Acinetobacter infections rarely occur outside of healthcare settings.

What are the symptoms of Acinetobacter infection?

Acinetobacter causes a variety of diseases, ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections and the symptoms vary depending on the disease. Typical symptoms of pneumonia could include fever, chills, or cough. Acinetobacter may also “colonize” or live in a patient without causing infection or symptoms, especially in tracheostomy sites or open wounds.

How do people get Acinetobacter infection?

Acinetobacter poses very little risk to healthy people. However, people who have weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease, or diabetes may be more susceptible to infections with Acinetobacter.Hospitalized patients, especially very ill patients on a ventilator, those with a prolonged hospital stay, or those who have open wounds, are also at greater risk for Acinetobacter infection. Acinetobactercan be spread to susceptible persons by person-to-person contact, contact with contaminated surfaces, or exposure in the environment.

How is Acinetobacter infection treated?

Acinetobacter is often resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics. Decisions on treatment of infections with Acinetobacter should be made on a case-by-case basis by a healthcare provider. Acinetobacter infection typically occurs in very ill patients and can either cause or contribute to death in these patients.

What should I do to prevent the spread of Acinetobacter infection to others?

Acinetobacter can live on the skin and may survive in the environment for several days. Careful attention to infection control procedures such as hand hygiene and environmental cleaning can reduce the risk of transmission.

· Treat ALL patient contacts with careful attention to infection control procedures

· If you know your patient has a Resistant Strain Infection, put on your GLOVES, GOGGLES, GOWN AND MASK.

· Do proper environmental cleaning. Complete must “soak” on the surface after applied to medical equipment for 10 minutes to be effective.

· Be conscious of: your radio, mic, handheld, tablet, door handles, steering wheel, ink pen, fingers, French fries, etc…

And above all…..just like mom always told us……

“WASH YOUR HANDS!”

Atta Boy From Capt. Barry Cook

I would like to go on record and officially give all of the night crews Atta Medics. I have always bragged on and enjoyed working with the crews in Faulkner County because from day one, they have worked as a team. I have now worked on nights for about two years and through last year especially the long busy summer, the night crews all work together as a team. I consider it an honor and privilege to with all of the night crews. Night crews should be congratulated and saluted for their team work and effort.

Sincerely,

Capt. Barry D. Cook

Fatal Ambulance wreck in Deleware

One person was killed and three Sussex County emergency medical workers were injured this morning in a crash between a sport-utility vehicle and a fire company ambulance near Angola, officials said.
The driver of a 1999 Jeep Cherokee was killed in the collision at Beaver Dam and Indian Mission roads. State police identified him as 44-year-old Michael A. Martin of Georgetown.

The Millsboro Fire Company ambulance was returning from Beebe Medical Center in Lewes when the crash occurred about 6:15 a.m. The 2002 Ford ambulance was westbound on Beaver Dam Road, stopped at the intersection of Indian Mission Road waiting to turn left, state police said.

Martin failed to negotiate a curve and left the east side of the road, striking the right rear side of the ambulance. He suffered massive head injuries and was declared dead at the scene, police said.

Folks once again BE CAREFUL OUT THERE !!! After looking at the box closer, I do wonder what brand it was? It does not look like an Excellance. Greg
Link to rest of story

MEMS 511 invloved in accident

Major Lee send me pictures this AM of the wreck of 511 last evening. The crew (Brett S. and Allen E.) were responding to an MVA at I/40 and I/440 when they were hit by a wrecker that slid on the ice.
The crew as well as the wrecker driver report no injuries.
511 suffered significant damage to the rear doors which means it will have to be shipped to Excellance.

I know we had ice, but with the LIfeNet MVA and now ours, it serves to warn us again, it is dangerous out there, Be careful!

Life Net Ambulance Wreck

A LifeNet ambulance, transporting a pregnant Ashdown woman to a Texarkana hospital Friday morning, crashed into a flatbed tractor-trailer rig and then caught on fire.

The pregnant woman and the ambulance crew survived without life-threatening injuries.

The ambulance was southbound of U.S. Highway 71 about two-miles north of the Texarkana city limits when the accident occurred about 6:40 a.m.

Link to story

New Major

As you may have heard Major Harold Shray has accepted a position with UAMS as an instructor. We support Harold as he enters this new chapter in his life, but are very sad at his leaving.

As Major Shray moves a new Major position has opened. Congratulations to Captain Janie Brown who will now be promoted to the rank of Major. Major Tabor will be moving from Metro to Faulkner county, Janie will assume her new duties in Major Tabor's old night metro position.

Ryan Tyler sent in this aritcle he found. He wrote:
Came across this footage of an ambulance service in Memphis, letting unlicensed personnel handle patient care and letting the patient ride shoot gun.

Link to story

Unit Status

As you may have seen in the parking lot, "502" is back from Excellance. We are pushing to get it on the street, post haste. It should go the Health Department on Thursday this week.

132 is at Excellance getting the left rear door on the box replaced after it was hit.

609 was due to be back several weeks ago, however a crack was found in the box wall that required the box to be dismounted to be repaired. It's fate is still up in the air.

IO Drills

As you know we field tested the "East IO Drill" on several trucks for a while. At the end of the study we placed the drills on the Faulkner County trucks only. This was for several reasons, such as Hospital desire/cooperation in Conway and cost, to name only two. This tool has proven to be truly a "life saver' in some cases. With this in mind, we have just made the purchase of IO Drills for all the units. We still face the issues of cost for the needles that are in the $100.00 each range. We are developing a protocol for needle replacement that will be similar to replacing narcotics. We are also setting training protocols and procedures for all those who did not receive the initial training. Stay tuned, more on this topic.

Janie Brown.

I don’t know how many of you knew that Janie Browns home was hit by the tornado Tuesday. We are very fortunate that Janie or her family were not home at the time of the event. She suffered damage to her other livelihood, her chicken houses as well as damage to barns, their shop, fences etc… The home with the tree on it is an aunts that is next to theirs. I asked her to allow me to share this with you. It is not often (thank God) that these kinds of event hit our families. Janie we are glad you are OK.

Pictures from the top- Shop, Aunt's house, shed