EMS Week 2011: Celebrating You!

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1 Air Mail Winter 2011 Spring 2011 EMS Week 2011: Celebrating You! Emergency Transport Office By Leslie M. McCabe Area Business Manager Air Methods National EMS Week is upon us, taking place May How rewarding to have a week focused on those who provide a vital public service and are ready to deliver lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The emergency medical services system encompasses a wide range of individuals, including emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators and others. Whether in the big city or rural communities, these men and women are the front lines for emergency care when unfortunate events occur. Professional or volunteers, they engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving Top photo by Steven Gilreath skills. We know that access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury. Those seeking help are not judged by where they live, what they look like or if they have insurance. Instead, they receive lifesaving care with the goal of getting them back to their loved ones. On behalf of Air Methods Kentucky, I would like to express my gratitude for your service, dedication, and valor that you exhibit each and every day. You are a leading example of what an EVERYDAY HERO looks like. As a firefighter runs towards the flame, you run towards those in need of critical care. Our Commonwealth continues to be strengthened and made safer by your selfless acts, and we could not do our jobs without you. We celebrate you, we thank you, and we appreciate you as EMS Week 2011 transpires.

2 AMC LifeSaver Award honors community s efforts to save child s life By Leslie M. McCabe Air Methods Region 3 Area Business Manager Air Methods preparation and practice is key to successfully executing any task that may be considered rare. On February 17 Air Methods Kentucky took part in a team effort to transport and treat a critically ill child who collapsed due to a pre-existing medical condition at Caneyville Elementary School in Grayson County, Ky. As in any crisis, how you react can exponentially affect outcomes. The school itself was prepared, with an AED on and hand training to utilize it if necessary. Teachers and staff at the school were well-informed about the medical condition of the child and reacted quickly and calmly to save her when that condition caused her to collapse. If ever wanting to know or see how emergency services work together, this was the day, as all emergency services played a vital role. First responders quickly arrived on site, with the mother meeting the ambulance service at Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center. Air Methods transferred the child from there to Kosair Children s Hospital, where the prognosis 2 Air Mail following care there was positive. From fire to EMS and then our own Air Methods crew from Glasgow, Ky., all touched this child and helped in the save. On April 14 we had the great privilege along with the other emergency service providers to reward those who made such a difference in this event. Yes, this is our job as emergency service providers, but we believed these everyday citizens who contributed to a lifesaving event deserved special recognition. Air Methods Corporation was proud to recognize Caneyville Elementary School, as well as the two exceptional staff members who played such a crucial role, Cathy Anderson and Deborah Lambert, at the local school board Bottom row L/R: Area Medical Manager Karen Moulton presenting award to PE teacher Cathy Anderson; to Principal Ronnie Sarver; to school nurse aid Deborah Lambert. Top: Team of individuals involved with lifesaving event in front of KY-8 aircraft. Photos courtesy Kim McCarty. meeting. We humbly honored each our Air Methods LifeSaver Award. This award was created to express appreciation for agencies and individuals in our communities that play a significant role in lifesaving efforts. Our air medical program is one portion of our community s emergency response system as seen on this day, February 17, 2011.

3 Photo Gallery: AMKY takes part in Dixie Fire School Air Methods participated as a vendor, educator, and leading air medical service provider at the Dixie Fire School in Elizabethtown, Ky., March The Air Methods Mobile Simulation Unit (MSU) was also on hand for educational purposes. A big thank you goes out to all who played a role in helping make this valuable event happen! 3 Air Mail

4 KY-5 puts on chainsaw safety class for several agencies Information and photo courtesy Chris Lockard RN, BSN, CFRN, EMT-P Kentucky s Frankfort (KY-5) base put on a unique class featuring chainsaw safety March 9. Two hours of safety instruction were provided by representatives from outdoor power equipment company ECHO to six different organizations. The event was originally set up by Flight Nurse Chris Lockard as a trail builders class for the KY Mountain Bike Association, of which he is president. Realizing the class could benefit a number of Air Methods customers, KY-5 expanded the audience further and brought in ECHO s Tom Aull and Zach Lottes from Evansville, Ind., to deliver the education. Presented to 40 attendees, the class was hosted at the City Fire Station with Air Methods providing food and beverages. Lockard emphasized the importance of such as class for customers, as many agencies receive very little chainsaw safety instruction. Air Methods is especially grateful to ECHO for stepping in at the last minute to provide instruction when another chainsaw company was unexpectedly unable to take part. The KYMBA awarded the instructors with gift certificates as a token of gratitude, and Aull noted that he d be happy to provide additional classes for other interested agencies and organizations. Agencies represented in attendance: KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; Frankfort Parks and Recreation Dept.; Frankfort City Fire Dept.; Frankfort County Fire Dept.; KY Mountain Bike Association; Lexington Fire Dept.; Air Methods. Did you know? Through the Air Methods Kentucky website, you can check out the archives for Air Mail and Safety Connect, the Air Methods Corporate safety newsletter. You can also access AMKY press releases, photos, base info, and more! Visit AMKY in the News The KY-1/London base was recently highlighted in the local paper The Sentinel-Echo as recipients of a local group s generosity toward sick and injured children. As the aircraft landed on Saint Joseph- London s helipad one afternoon, members of Women of the Moose Chapter No waited with arms full of stuffed animals. The organization donated 12 stuffed moose for children cared for by flight crews. I ve never met a moose-woman before, District Business Manager David Williams was quoted as saying, quickly corrected by member Judy Wilburn with the term Moosettes. The Women of the Moose in London began meeting in 1998 after branching out from the private organization, The Local Order of Moose. Costing $75 a dozen, Tommy the Moose contributes to children s comfort while being transported from a scene or between facilities. Flight crews typically purchase stuffed animals themselves, although the WOTM chapter said they will continue to donate the moose as long as crews need them. Info courtesy reporter Magen McCrarey Air Mail 4

5 2011 Natural Bridge Health Symposium coming this summer The Natural Bridge Health Symposium enjoyed a successful comeback in 2010, and the stage is set for this summer s event to be another high-value continuing education offering with a spectacular backdrop. Presented by Air Methods Kentucky, Estill County EMS, and Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital, the three-day program will feature top-notch education on a range of topics centered on rural medical emergencies in the prehospital and emergency department settings. A comprehensive overview of meth labs kick off the event Friday evening, with Saturday and Sunday featuring experts exploring current topics in trauma, cardiac, stroke, forensic pathology, pediatric care, and burns. But education is only part of the experience. Generous free time has been built into the schedule for Saturday and Sunday, letting you and your family to enjoy all the activities and amenities this outstanding park has to offer. Saturday s lunch will be an oldfashioned summertime cookout with vendors, who ll be on hand throughout the weekend to demonstrate and explain their latest medical products, equipment, and services. And the dress code is comfortable, reflecting the event s relaxing environment. Event pre-registration is available at and brochures with registration forms are in the process of being mailed (the brochure is also available for download on the website). Attendees pre-registering by June 15 will receive a $5 discount off the $55 registration fee. For more information, please call or ekemss@ ymail.com Natural Bridge Health Symposium Schedule Friday, July 15, 2011 Early Registration begins at 5 p.m. The symposium kicks off Friday with an in-depth overview on meth labs. Presented by Operation UNITE, the training will include what to expect if you discover a meth lab on a transport and the risk involved on-site and with the patient. Saturday, July 16, 2011 Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Join us for a look into a range of relevant and interesting topics, such as 10 Things a Trauma Surgeon Wants EMS to Know, Tactical Medicine, and more. A cookout lunch with our vendors will take place at noon! Sunday, July 17, 2011 Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The final day of the symposium will feature a variety of unique presentations, including Child Abuse: An Overview; An Overview of Death Investigation & Forensic Pathology in Kentucky & Beyond; Pathophysiology of Ballistic Injuries; Burns; and Hot Flashes - Preventing Burnout. Air Mail 5

6 FOR EMERGENCY TRANSPORT Air Mail 6