Protocol Update, Version 2 is now available, including the new cyanide poisoning protocol.
The new version is available at:
http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/fstems/ems/advlifesup/patientcare.html
3.28.2007
3.27.2007
Federal Trauma Legislation Funding--Important!
I just received this NH Trauma Coordinator, Clay Odell. This is important funding:
From Clay:
I have been diligently trying to get information about the federal trauma legislation. Here's what I've learned as of today: First it's important to understand that HR 727 and S 657 are authorization bills for the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007. That legislation restores the HRSA Trauma-EMS Program that provided federal trauma grants for a number of years. Without the availability of those funds the Trauma and EMS Information System (TEMSIS) would still be years away.
From what I've been told those bills should pass the full House and Senate without much opposition. The REAL challenge though is not the authorization bill as much as the APPROPRIATIONS. So the effort on the part of all who desire a resumption of the Trauma-EMS Program (and with better funding) will be to convince their legislators to add the proposed $12 million for FY 2008 into the supplemental appropriations bill.
Support of the appropriations for this bill from New Hampshire's trauma stakeholders is vitally important. Whatever your opinion is of this effort I urge you to convey your opinion to your federal legislators, Senators Gregg and Sununu and Congressman Hoades and Congresswoman Shea-Porter. I have attached a draft letter that you can modify if you wish (personalized remarks are always welcome). I have also included the addresses of all four legislators. If you prefer you can use the American College of Surgeons website at http://www.capitolconnect.com/acspa/
Please take this important step TODAY, and also pass this information and request on to your colleagues. We need to put trauma systems foremost in the mind of our legislators the next two weeks.
Thank you for your consideration.
Clay Odell
From Clay:
I have been diligently trying to get information about the federal trauma legislation. Here's what I've learned as of today: First it's important to understand that HR 727 and S 657 are authorization bills for the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2007. That legislation restores the HRSA Trauma-EMS Program that provided federal trauma grants for a number of years. Without the availability of those funds the Trauma and EMS Information System (TEMSIS) would still be years away.
From what I've been told those bills should pass the full House and Senate without much opposition. The REAL challenge though is not the authorization bill as much as the APPROPRIATIONS. So the effort on the part of all who desire a resumption of the Trauma-EMS Program (and with better funding) will be to convince their legislators to add the proposed $12 million for FY 2008 into the supplemental appropriations bill.
Support of the appropriations for this bill from New Hampshire's trauma stakeholders is vitally important. Whatever your opinion is of this effort I urge you to convey your opinion to your federal legislators, Senators Gregg and Sununu and Congressman Hoades and Congresswoman Shea-Porter. I have attached a draft letter that you can modify if you wish (personalized remarks are always welcome). I have also included the addresses of all four legislators. If you prefer you can use the American College of Surgeons website at http://www.capitolconnect.com/acspa/
Please take this important step TODAY, and also pass this information and request on to your colleagues. We need to put trauma systems foremost in the mind of our legislators the next two weeks.
Thank you for your consideration.
Clay Odell
3.16.2007
SB 169 Vote -- Who Supported EMS and Who Didn't
Here's the breakdown on the amendment to include EMS in SB 169.
Please take a moment to either thank your senator for his/her support or politely ask why they didn't feel EMS providers deserve to be protected.
I separated the yea's from the nay's and was surprised to see that it fell exactly along party lines. I wonder what the republicans have against EMS.
Voted Against Including EMS
Barnes, John Republican
Bragdon, Peter Republican
Clegg, Robert Republican
Downing, Michael Republican
Gallus, John Republican
Gatsas, Theodore Republican
Letourneau, Robert Republican
Roberge, Sheila Republican
Kenney, Joseph Republican
Odell, Bob Republican
Voted For Including EMS
Burling, Peter Democrat
Cilley, Jacalyn Democrat
D'Allesandro, Lou Democrat
DeVries, Betsi Democrat
Estabrook, Iris Democrat
Foster, Joseph Democrat
Fuller Clark, Martha Democrat
Gottesman, David Democrat
Hassan, Margaret Democrat 23 Yea
Janeway, Harold Democrat
Kelly, Molly Democrat
Larsen, Sylvia Democrat
Reynolds, Deborah Democrat
Sgambati, Kathleen Democrat
Please take a moment to either thank your senator for his/her support or politely ask why they didn't feel EMS providers deserve to be protected.
I separated the yea's from the nay's and was surprised to see that it fell exactly along party lines. I wonder what the republicans have against EMS.
Voted Against Including EMS
Barnes, John Republican
Bragdon, Peter Republican
Clegg, Robert Republican
Downing, Michael Republican
Gallus, John Republican
Gatsas, Theodore Republican
Letourneau, Robert Republican
Roberge, Sheila Republican
Kenney, Joseph Republican
Odell, Bob Republican
Voted For Including EMS
Burling, Peter Democrat
Cilley, Jacalyn Democrat
D'Allesandro, Lou Democrat
DeVries, Betsi Democrat
Estabrook, Iris Democrat
Foster, Joseph Democrat
Fuller Clark, Martha Democrat
Gottesman, David Democrat
Hassan, Margaret Democrat 23 Yea
Janeway, Harold Democrat
Kelly, Molly Democrat
Larsen, Sylvia Democrat
Reynolds, Deborah Democrat
Sgambati, Kathleen Democrat
3.15.2007
SB 169 Update
As you all should be aware, Senate Bill 169, also known as Michael's Law, was amended to include First Responders, EMTs, Intermediates, and Paramedics performing 911 calls, or Paramedic Intercepts. The bill went to the Executive Departments and Administration Committee last week. It was sent to the complete senate with a 3-0 vote of the committee to amend the bill to include EMS providers. The full senate voted on the bill today. They voted 14-10 to keep the amendment, and 24-0 for the original bill. This means the bill is still intact and now heads to the Senate Finance Committee, since it is a funding bill.
The discussion on the floor implied that the Finance Committee will be looking at ways to fund the bill. Presently the bill is being funded by the Group II retirement system. Non-Fire based EMS services are not paying into Group II system, so there has been a lot said about that. This is a topic that needs to be studied closely so that the bill can move forward. We will still need everybody's help. There is a long way to go before the bill becomes a law.
I did speak with Paramedic, Pat Banken. Pat is a friend of my from my NYC EMS days. Pat is the Union President for the EMS Local of FDNY EMS. He sent me 50 supplements that appeared in the October 2001 JEMS Magazine that had pictures, and articles pertaining to 9/11. The cover says the most. No words, only an FDNY EMS Ambulance covered in debris with it lights on. I will pull those out when we need them. I did have a conversation this afternoon with Govenor Lynch. The Governor thought the bill was not going to be a problem. I thanked him for his support, and offered him one of the JEMS supplements to read.
I want to thank EVERYBODY for their assistance and support of this bill. Everybody that wrote a letter to a Senator, everybody that sent an e-mail, everybody that "phoned a friend", EVERYBODY! Without everybody, this bill would not have made it as far as it has. The fight is not over yet. Two hurdles down, several more to go. I want to make sure that everybody knows that this was a group effort of the EMS Community. This was not Dave Hogan from the Paramedic Association, Jennifer or myself doing all the work. WE as an EMS community deserve the credit for a job well done. Again, I want to remind you that we are far from complete, but we have cleared some big hurdles.
There are also a lot of people outside the EMS Community that also deserve our thanks. I do not know everybody involved, there, but please pass on our thanks.
Keep up the good work. We will keep you posted.
Sincerely,
Gary Zirpolo, EMT-Paramedic
Vice President
NH Association of EMT's
The discussion on the floor implied that the Finance Committee will be looking at ways to fund the bill. Presently the bill is being funded by the Group II retirement system. Non-Fire based EMS services are not paying into Group II system, so there has been a lot said about that. This is a topic that needs to be studied closely so that the bill can move forward. We will still need everybody's help. There is a long way to go before the bill becomes a law.
I did speak with Paramedic, Pat Banken. Pat is a friend of my from my NYC EMS days. Pat is the Union President for the EMS Local of FDNY EMS. He sent me 50 supplements that appeared in the October 2001 JEMS Magazine that had pictures, and articles pertaining to 9/11. The cover says the most. No words, only an FDNY EMS Ambulance covered in debris with it lights on. I will pull those out when we need them. I did have a conversation this afternoon with Govenor Lynch. The Governor thought the bill was not going to be a problem. I thanked him for his support, and offered him one of the JEMS supplements to read.
I want to thank EVERYBODY for their assistance and support of this bill. Everybody that wrote a letter to a Senator, everybody that sent an e-mail, everybody that "phoned a friend", EVERYBODY! Without everybody, this bill would not have made it as far as it has. The fight is not over yet. Two hurdles down, several more to go. I want to make sure that everybody knows that this was a group effort of the EMS Community. This was not Dave Hogan from the Paramedic Association, Jennifer or myself doing all the work. WE as an EMS community deserve the credit for a job well done. Again, I want to remind you that we are far from complete, but we have cleared some big hurdles.
There are also a lot of people outside the EMS Community that also deserve our thanks. I do not know everybody involved, there, but please pass on our thanks.
Keep up the good work. We will keep you posted.
Sincerely,
Gary Zirpolo, EMT-Paramedic
Vice President
NH Association of EMT's
3.14.2007
CISM Workshop
Our CISM workshop registrations are going well. Look like we'll break even and hope to make some money for the very depleted treasury. If you are planning to attend, please register soon to hold a spot for you. If you are not going to attend, please consider attending the dinner and social hour on the evening of the 31st. It will be our annual meeting followed by entertainment by the Firehouse Productions. The cost of dinner is $20 per person. We do need to have a check from you by the 25th so we can put in a count.
For those of you who do not wish to retake the course, there will be updated manuals available for $15. We will also be selling assorted related publications and the CISM quick cards ($7.50).
I am attaching brochures for your information. Please feel free to copy and give to anyone you think might attend."
I plan to send out follow up and directions around the 25th to all those who have registered.
Donna
Donna M. Hastings, Psy.D.
Naticook Counseling Resources, P.A.
579 Daniel Webster Highway
Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054
Voice (603) 429-1190
FAX (603) 424-4722
For those of you who do not wish to retake the course, there will be updated manuals available for $15. We will also be selling assorted related publications and the CISM quick cards ($7.50).
I am attaching brochures for your information. Please feel free to copy and give to anyone you think might attend."
I plan to send out follow up and directions around the 25th to all those who have registered.
Donna
Donna M. Hastings, Psy.D.
Naticook Counseling Resources, P.A.
579 Daniel Webster Highway
Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054
Voice (603) 429-1190
FAX (603) 424-4722
CISM Workshop
Our CISM workshop registrations are going well. Look like we'll break even and hope to make some money for the very depleted treasury. If you are planning to attend, please register soon to hold a spot for you. If you are not going to attend, please consider attending the dinner and social hour on the evening of the 31st. It will be our annual meeting followed by entertainment by the Firehouse Productions. The cost of dinner is $20 per person. We do need to have a check from you by the 25th so we can put in a count.
For those of you who do not wish to retake the course, there will be updated manuals available for $15. We will also be selling assorted related publications and the CISM quick cards ($7.50).
I am attaching brochures for your information. Please feel free to copy and give to anyone you think might attend."
I plan to send out follow up and directions around the 25th to all those who have registered.
Donna
Donna M. Hastings, Psy.D.
Naticook Counseling Resources, P.A.
579 Daniel Webster Highway
Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054
Voice (603) 429-1190
FAX (603) 424-4722
For those of you who do not wish to retake the course, there will be updated manuals available for $15. We will also be selling assorted related publications and the CISM quick cards ($7.50).
I am attaching brochures for your information. Please feel free to copy and give to anyone you think might attend."
I plan to send out follow up and directions around the 25th to all those who have registered.
Donna
Donna M. Hastings, Psy.D.
Naticook Counseling Resources, P.A.
579 Daniel Webster Highway
Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054
Voice (603) 429-1190
FAX (603) 424-4722
Letter to the Senators Regarding the LODD Benefit
Dear Senators,
I am writing to you with the hopes that you will pass the Senate Bill 169 as amended last Wednesday, March 7, 2007. The amendment will allow Emergency Medical Service (EMTs) providers to be included in the Line of Duty Death (LODD) Benefit if death occurs in the act of emergency care regardless if the EMT is affiliated with a fire service.
Approximately 35% of all Emergency Medical Services provided in this state is through a municiple, private or third service not affiliated with a fire department. The majority of these EMTs and Paramedics are volunteers that want to give back to their community. They hold regular paying jobs and serve on local EMS services when available, sometimes leaving work. Wether employed full-time by a non-fire based service or volunteer, all still face the same hazards, still respond to the same emergencies, still want to go home at the end of the day to their families. This is the same as their fire-based counterparts who very often share the same response scene.
Emergency Medical Service is the medical component in public safety capacity. There is no other entity quite like EMS, diverse in its make up but unified in its mission of providing quality medical care to the sick and injured. It is a relatively new public safety aspect compared to fire and law enforcement, only 40+ years young by Federal Recognition. In its young life it has impacted the health and safety of citizens so much so that the public expects a medical response when they call 911 just as they do a fire or law enforcement response. In reality, medical requests far outweigh law and fire requests in our dispatch systems. It is much more likely in one's lifetime that he will require an ambulance for a medical issue than the need for fire or law intervention due to a home/business fire or an infringement of the law. This means no disrespect for the other disciplines, Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS work side-by-side more often than not, and each are very vital components to the well-being of our society in prevention, preparedness and response.
Every year in May, EMS providers who have lost their lives in the line of duty are recognized at the National EMS Memorial Service, by Congressional Act. Last year 26 new leaves were placed on the Tree of Life. All were involved in acts of caring for others prior to their own deaths, many working on the scene of an accident with Law Enforcement and Fire present. I rode my bicycle from New York City to Roanoke (600 miles) with 30 other riders and support personnel from NYC, NH, ME, VA, LA, CT, and MA to show our unity as a profession and our support for the ultimate sacrifice given by these inductees and their committent to the profession of EMS - our number one supporter of the ride was NYFD.
So, I ask you to support Michael's Law, Senate Bill 169 as amended, with EMS included. Please ask your peers in the NH House of Representatives to do the same. We are not in the same realm as school teachers and highway workers as a new House Bill might suggest, our peers are fire and police - we are the third service of public safety. Look no further than the new name of the NH Fire Standards and Emergency Medical Services Complex in Concord.
I am happy to discuss my concerns further with any of you, please feel free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Frenette
President, NH Association of EMTs
Director, National Association of EMTs
I am writing to you with the hopes that you will pass the Senate Bill 169 as amended last Wednesday, March 7, 2007. The amendment will allow Emergency Medical Service (EMTs) providers to be included in the Line of Duty Death (LODD) Benefit if death occurs in the act of emergency care regardless if the EMT is affiliated with a fire service.
Approximately 35% of all Emergency Medical Services provided in this state is through a municiple, private or third service not affiliated with a fire department. The majority of these EMTs and Paramedics are volunteers that want to give back to their community. They hold regular paying jobs and serve on local EMS services when available, sometimes leaving work. Wether employed full-time by a non-fire based service or volunteer, all still face the same hazards, still respond to the same emergencies, still want to go home at the end of the day to their families. This is the same as their fire-based counterparts who very often share the same response scene.
Emergency Medical Service is the medical component in public safety capacity. There is no other entity quite like EMS, diverse in its make up but unified in its mission of providing quality medical care to the sick and injured. It is a relatively new public safety aspect compared to fire and law enforcement, only 40+ years young by Federal Recognition. In its young life it has impacted the health and safety of citizens so much so that the public expects a medical response when they call 911 just as they do a fire or law enforcement response. In reality, medical requests far outweigh law and fire requests in our dispatch systems. It is much more likely in one's lifetime that he will require an ambulance for a medical issue than the need for fire or law intervention due to a home/business fire or an infringement of the law. This means no disrespect for the other disciplines, Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS work side-by-side more often than not, and each are very vital components to the well-being of our society in prevention, preparedness and response.
Every year in May, EMS providers who have lost their lives in the line of duty are recognized at the National EMS Memorial Service, by Congressional Act. Last year 26 new leaves were placed on the Tree of Life. All were involved in acts of caring for others prior to their own deaths, many working on the scene of an accident with Law Enforcement and Fire present. I rode my bicycle from New York City to Roanoke (600 miles) with 30 other riders and support personnel from NYC, NH, ME, VA, LA, CT, and MA to show our unity as a profession and our support for the ultimate sacrifice given by these inductees and their committent to the profession of EMS - our number one supporter of the ride was NYFD.
So, I ask you to support Michael's Law, Senate Bill 169 as amended, with EMS included. Please ask your peers in the NH House of Representatives to do the same. We are not in the same realm as school teachers and highway workers as a new House Bill might suggest, our peers are fire and police - we are the third service of public safety. Look no further than the new name of the NH Fire Standards and Emergency Medical Services Complex in Concord.
I am happy to discuss my concerns further with any of you, please feel free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Frenette
President, NH Association of EMTs
Director, National Association of EMTs
Gary's Letter to the Senators
Dear Senator:
As I am sure you are aware, last Wednesday, the Executive Departments and Administration Committee discussed Senate Bill 169 "Michael's Law". The Committee voted to recommend passage of Senate Bill 169, also known as Michael's Law. They also recommended amending the bill to include emergency medical service workers (EMS providers).
As you are aware, Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs was shot, and killed, in the line of duty. The original bill will protect the family of those police officers and firefighters that are killed in the line of duty. Both of those professions are dangerous professions. The profession of Emergency Medical Services is also equally as dangerous as police work and firefighting.
I would like to give some of my history in EMS. I am a veteran of 23 years in EMS in three different states. I started my career as a volunteer in Port Washington, Long Island in 1984. I moved up the organizational ranks to become the commanding officer in 1992. I started my "paid" career in EMS in 1987 as an Emergency Medical Technician with New York City Emergency Medical Service. In 1994, I moved to New Hampshire and worked for Rockingham Ambulance. I then worked in Worcester for 3 years, and have presently been in the position of EMS Coordinator at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, NH since 1999. I am presently volunteer/ paid per-diem provider with the Wilton Lyndeborough Temple EMS, and Jaffrey Rindge Memorial Ambulance.
EMS providers respond to calls for people shot, stabbed, assaulted, in motor vehicle accidents, domestic violence, and what in our profession is the dreaded "unknown medical". The "unknown medical" is a call type where a caller requests an ambulance, but does not specify what the problem is. These calls can be nothing more than someone that thought a third party needed an ambulance, to a person shot, to someone looking to ambush an EMS crew for their narcotics. EMS providers, without the company of police, frequently respond to these calls.
EMS providers also respond to calls, like police and firefighters with their lights and sirens and run the same risks of motor vehicle accidents, as other responders. I personally have been involved in four motor vehicle accidents while operating an ambulance, luckily never resulting in hospitalization. Most EMS deaths occur due to Motor Vehicle Accidents.
EMS providers are also exposed to the same hazards as police officers and firefighters. I have personally been shot at six times in my career, once missing me by eighteen inches. If I were standing up, I would not be alive today. All of these were drive by shootings that were when I worked New York. These drive by shootings are becoming more popular in New Hampshire, especially in our bigger cities. If the person that shot Officer Briggs were to have decided to drive by five minutes after committing the original act, and start shooting, the EMS providers from a private ambulance service would have been on scene and in the same danger as the police officers.
I would also like to bring to your attention an EMS provider I used to know, Ingrid Sowle. Ingrid was a "rookie" EMS provider with the Fire Medic Company Number One of the Port Washington Fire Department in New York. She responded to the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident. Ingrid helped treat the critical patient, put the patient in the ambulance, and then she returned to her personal vehicle to go back home. She never made it home. A drunk driver did not stop when the police officer advised him to, and hit Ingrid at a high rate of speed. Ingrid was hit and thrown against her car, and was then in cardiac arrest. Ingrid was pronounced dead shortly thereafter at the hospital. The road was no different than any other major road in New Hampshire like Route 101, Route 112, Route 302, etc.
Ingrid was covered by New York State's death benefit, because she was on a fire service based ambulance. If Ingrid was with the Souhegan Valley Ambulance, Jaffrey Rindge Memorial Ambulance, Marl-Harris Ambulance, or any number of private 911 volunteer providers, and/or any of the contracted 911 commercial or hospital providers in New Hampshire, she would not be covered by "Michael's Law". If Ingrid's accident happened on Route 202 in Peterborough, Senate Bill 169 would cover her, because she would have been a member of Peterborough Fire/Rescue. If this accident happened just over the border on Route 202 in Jaffrey, she would not be covered, because she would have been a member of the Jaffrey Rindge Memorial Ambulance, a private service. There are several of these "Private Services"
Several volunteer EMS providers in our rural EMS systems are considered private services. When they were formed, people that wanted to help their fellow citizens formed them as a private corporation. Just because they did not form their ambulance service as part of a Fire Department, or municipal service, should they be considered less of provider?
If the EMS providers are part of a fire service, they would be covered, the way the bill is presently written. We do not feel that this is fair or just to the providers that operate with volunteer or paid municipal third services, Hospital based, or private services that risk their lives the same as Firefighter/EMS providers. These services provide EMS to over one third (Thirty Five percent) of the residents of New Hampshire.
I am hoping that the NH Association of EMT's and the over 4500 EMS providers in New Hampshire can count on you to support Senate Bill 169 "Michael's Law" as amended. I look forward to a day where EMS is on the same level as Police Officers and Firefighters. I am hoping that it starts today, with the passage of this bill, as amended. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss this with me further, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail, office phone (924-4616) or cell phone (562-8911). Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Gary Zirpolo, EMT-Paramedic
Vice President - NH Association of EMT's
Coordinator - Emergency Medical Services
Monadnock Community Hospital
As I am sure you are aware, last Wednesday, the Executive Departments and Administration Committee discussed Senate Bill 169 "Michael's Law". The Committee voted to recommend passage of Senate Bill 169, also known as Michael's Law. They also recommended amending the bill to include emergency medical service workers (EMS providers).
As you are aware, Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs was shot, and killed, in the line of duty. The original bill will protect the family of those police officers and firefighters that are killed in the line of duty. Both of those professions are dangerous professions. The profession of Emergency Medical Services is also equally as dangerous as police work and firefighting.
I would like to give some of my history in EMS. I am a veteran of 23 years in EMS in three different states. I started my career as a volunteer in Port Washington, Long Island in 1984. I moved up the organizational ranks to become the commanding officer in 1992. I started my "paid" career in EMS in 1987 as an Emergency Medical Technician with New York City Emergency Medical Service. In 1994, I moved to New Hampshire and worked for Rockingham Ambulance. I then worked in Worcester for 3 years, and have presently been in the position of EMS Coordinator at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, NH since 1999. I am presently volunteer/ paid per-diem provider with the Wilton Lyndeborough Temple EMS, and Jaffrey Rindge Memorial Ambulance.
EMS providers respond to calls for people shot, stabbed, assaulted, in motor vehicle accidents, domestic violence, and what in our profession is the dreaded "unknown medical". The "unknown medical" is a call type where a caller requests an ambulance, but does not specify what the problem is. These calls can be nothing more than someone that thought a third party needed an ambulance, to a person shot, to someone looking to ambush an EMS crew for their narcotics. EMS providers, without the company of police, frequently respond to these calls.
EMS providers also respond to calls, like police and firefighters with their lights and sirens and run the same risks of motor vehicle accidents, as other responders. I personally have been involved in four motor vehicle accidents while operating an ambulance, luckily never resulting in hospitalization. Most EMS deaths occur due to Motor Vehicle Accidents.
EMS providers are also exposed to the same hazards as police officers and firefighters. I have personally been shot at six times in my career, once missing me by eighteen inches. If I were standing up, I would not be alive today. All of these were drive by shootings that were when I worked New York. These drive by shootings are becoming more popular in New Hampshire, especially in our bigger cities. If the person that shot Officer Briggs were to have decided to drive by five minutes after committing the original act, and start shooting, the EMS providers from a private ambulance service would have been on scene and in the same danger as the police officers.
I would also like to bring to your attention an EMS provider I used to know, Ingrid Sowle. Ingrid was a "rookie" EMS provider with the Fire Medic Company Number One of the Port Washington Fire Department in New York. She responded to the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident. Ingrid helped treat the critical patient, put the patient in the ambulance, and then she returned to her personal vehicle to go back home. She never made it home. A drunk driver did not stop when the police officer advised him to, and hit Ingrid at a high rate of speed. Ingrid was hit and thrown against her car, and was then in cardiac arrest. Ingrid was pronounced dead shortly thereafter at the hospital. The road was no different than any other major road in New Hampshire like Route 101, Route 112, Route 302, etc.
Ingrid was covered by New York State's death benefit, because she was on a fire service based ambulance. If Ingrid was with the Souhegan Valley Ambulance, Jaffrey Rindge Memorial Ambulance, Marl-Harris Ambulance, or any number of private 911 volunteer providers, and/or any of the contracted 911 commercial or hospital providers in New Hampshire, she would not be covered by "Michael's Law". If Ingrid's accident happened on Route 202 in Peterborough, Senate Bill 169 would cover her, because she would have been a member of Peterborough Fire/Rescue. If this accident happened just over the border on Route 202 in Jaffrey, she would not be covered, because she would have been a member of the Jaffrey Rindge Memorial Ambulance, a private service. There are several of these "Private Services"
Several volunteer EMS providers in our rural EMS systems are considered private services. When they were formed, people that wanted to help their fellow citizens formed them as a private corporation. Just because they did not form their ambulance service as part of a Fire Department, or municipal service, should they be considered less of provider?
If the EMS providers are part of a fire service, they would be covered, the way the bill is presently written. We do not feel that this is fair or just to the providers that operate with volunteer or paid municipal third services, Hospital based, or private services that risk their lives the same as Firefighter/EMS providers. These services provide EMS to over one third (Thirty Five percent) of the residents of New Hampshire.
I am hoping that the NH Association of EMT's and the over 4500 EMS providers in New Hampshire can count on you to support Senate Bill 169 "Michael's Law" as amended. I look forward to a day where EMS is on the same level as Police Officers and Firefighters. I am hoping that it starts today, with the passage of this bill, as amended. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss this with me further, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail, office phone (924-4616) or cell phone (562-8911). Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Gary Zirpolo, EMT-Paramedic
Vice President - NH Association of EMT's
Coordinator - Emergency Medical Services
Monadnock Community Hospital
3.06.2007
Woot! Free Subscription to EMS Mag
I just found a link that will get you a free subscription to EMS magazine.
http://www.mercurymagazines.com/pr1/116/11609
It will say a free FHM magazine, but if you fill out the info using the EMS selections it will bring up a link to the free EMS mag. No credit card required.
http://www.mercurymagazines.com/pr1/116/11609
It will say a free FHM magazine, but if you fill out the info using the EMS selections it will bring up a link to the free EMS mag. No credit card required.
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