New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association PO Box 254, East Schodack, NY 12063
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New York State Volunteer Ambulance And Rescue Association PO Box 254, East Schodack, NY 12063 District 4, New York City Region PO Box 863991, Ridgewood, NY 11386 (718) 386-9651 FAX (718) 386-0925 E-mail: [email protected] Ryan Gunning, Chairperson ([email protected]) Martin Grillo, Vice Chairperson ([email protected]) Charles Hummel, Director ([email protected]) Janet Perry, Recording Secretary Nancy Ehrhardt, Treasurer Fran Serrentino, Financial Secretary THE PULSE December 2008 Chairperson's Message FDNY EMS does not assign mutual aid calls to volunteer ambulance squads. That was made clear to District 4 and 18 representatives by the three FDNY EMS officers who attended the December Liaison Committee meeting. If 911 ambulance dispatchers have done this or given out call locations in the past it was a mistake on their part. In addition, the portable MARS radio is to be used only for requesting addition resources such as an ALS unit that a volunteer crew may need at a scene. Other than a radio check there is no other use for the MARS radio. FDNY EMS does not need to hear that a volunteer ambulance is responding, arrived at a scene, on its way to a hospital, arrived at a hospital or is available. All that information should only be relayed to a squad’s own dispatcher. So much for mutual aid in New York City. Squads may want to convey the above stance to their local elected representatives and ask why an important community resource is being ignored during a time when budget concerns are having city officials talk of closing down fire tours, reduce training hours, raise municipal ambulance fees and so on. With elections over and some new officials in office, now is the time for squad officers, directors and individual members to reach out to these newcomers, educate them on the important community services they provide, issues that are important to volunteers and seek commitments for support in the coming years. The annual Volunteer EMS Recognition Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday evening May 12, 2009. Squads have till the end of the December to avail themselves discounted tables of 10 for only $350.00. Full information is in the internet at www.emsdinner.com/vac.htm This dinner has become one of the premier events in New York City as part of EMS Week activities. NYSVA&RA dues renewal notices have been sent out. The Association and District 4 need you support to continue to represent the interests of the volunteer EMS and rescue sector before local, state and federal officials. If you have not done so, please send in squad and individual dues as soon as possible. If anyone needs a renewal or new signup form please contact me at [email protected]. Lastly, I wish everyone happy holidays and holydays and best wishes for the new year. Ryan VICE CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE In recent months, I introduced the concept of a Citywide Mutual Aid Agreement between all the Volunteer Ambulance Corps in the City. The Idea that we would all eventually share communications, assist in special events, MCI’s and in area exchanges. I strongly believe that we all can, and need, to work as one entity, instead as many separate groups. As you all know, the Fire Department is having a hard time accepting us as partners in the 911 system. As most of you know, the Volunteer Ambulance Corps predate the former HHC NYC EMS system. We were formed because there was unacceptable response time to get an ambulance. In the past you were not able to obtain a job with NYC-EMS unless you were presently volunteering. It is a shame that these former volunteers who are now officials in the current FDNY-EMS have forgotten where they came from. They also forgot that many of us were there for our city on 9/11. We all have a common goal of providing the best pre-hospital care to the residents of the City of New York. It is our hope to get past this to continue giving our city residents the best pre hospital care in the world. They forget that we are there at a moments notice when called upon to respond. We need to prove to them that we can make the Volunteer Ambulance Corps work as well as an oiled wheel. That we can work together without missing a beat. To do this, we must put silly disagreements and misunderstandings aside and begin to build relationships with our fellow squads. Ryan Gunning and I are in the process of talking with the Fire Department as well as the squads to start putting this concept into effect. We will be meeting with several different individuals within the coming months. Granted, it is not going to happen overnight but, by taking baby steps, and with your cooperation, it will succeed. I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe new year. Martin REGIONAL EMS COUNCIL OF NYC The electronic provider tracking system based on the regional ID card system was tested during the “Cover Your Cough” drill held by SUNY Downstate Medical Center in July. No evaluation of the test has been released. AMBULANCE COMMITTEE The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) responsible for review of regional security sticker applications for EMS Response Vehicles has been reactivated. Members are Martin Grillo, NYSVA&RA District 4, Ralph Cefalo, NYSVA&RA District 18, Vincent Barranco, Jamaica Hospital EMS, Mike Raiola, Midwood Ambulance and John Peruggia, CHIEF, FDNY EMS. Richmond County Ambulance submitted applications for two vehicles and SeniorCare EMS submitted four applications. All six were initially turned down but will be reexamined as well as the criteria being used by the committee. FDNY has been insistent that they are in command of all resources during a mobilization and resistant to any hint that vehicles may be used for supervisory duties of ambulance crews. Logistical and support purposes such as to replace crews, bring supplies and equipment would be a suitable reason for a security sticker. Canberra radiation dosimeters issued by NYC REMSCO to EMS agencies need to be calibrated periodically. There is a service contract between NYC REMSCO and the manufacturer. Contact Joseph Raneri, Emergency Preparedness Specialist at (212) 870-2301 option 4 to arrange exchange of squad dosimeters for replacement ones that have been calibrated. Escape respirators with the necessary NIOSH certifications are still expected from MSA. Nancy Benedetto advises that a site is needed to receive 2,400 replacement respirators and distribute them to EMS agencies throughout the city. No time line for the project was given. Al Rapisarda, Midwood Ambulance and Nancy Benedetto attended a Coastal Evacuation meeting detailing how reimbursements would occur in the event of coastal evacuations in New York City. The Governor must ask the Federal Government, specifically FEMA, to declare an emergency in order for agencies to be reimbursed. All services will then function under the municipality if it is declared a reimbursable event. For nationally declared disasters, the federal reimbursement rate offered subcontractors is $105/hour for BLS ambulances and $150/hour for ALS ambulances. Time starts when crew leaves their base and ends when crew returns to their base. FDNY EMS will manage the resources for transportation in the event of a mutual aid evacuation. REMAC The Medical Standards Committee (formerly the separate ALS and BLS Committees) elected Bradley Kaufman, MD, FDNY as Chairperson and Josef Schenker, MD as Vice Chairperson. Districts 4 and 18 are each to have two seats on the committee. A large number of regional protocols are changing effective 1/1/09 and agencies must ensure their EMS personnel are updated by 7/1/09. In order to provide evidence that all EMS personnel have been updated in current protocols, the EMS Agency must provide a list of updated personnel accompanied by a letter of affirmation signed by the service medical director and Chief Executive Officer no later than FOUR (4) weeks after completion of training/in-service. Protocols affected are: • General Operating Procedures: Changes in at least 12 sections NOTE: 10-minute rule in the General Operating Procedures has been revised. For non-911 calls an on-scene supervisor of an agency can allow a patient to travel an additional 10 minutes based on request. For 911 calls and calls where FDNY is in charge per the REMSCO Coordination of Prehospital Resources Protocol, FDNY is insisting that an FDNY EMS supervisor make the decision. This decision previously required approval from an on line medical control physician. • BLS Protocols: 400, 404, 407,414, 421 and 432 • ALS Protocols: 501, 502, 503A, 503B, 504, 504A, 506, 507, 508, 511, 513, 521, 528, 529, 530, 554 and 557 Full information on the changes is contained in NYC REMAC Advisory 2008-03 issued 10/16/08 and Advisory 2008-05 issued 12/04/08. They are available on the NYC REMSCO web site at http://nycremsco.org/images/articlesserver/2008- 03%20REMAC%20Advisory%20Protocol%20Revisions.pdf There are more regional protocol changes on the way. Proposed changes to BLS Protocol 404 Non-Traumatic Chest Pain were put out for public comment. In the REMAC CME newsletters issued by the FDNY Office of Medical Affairs Dr. Douglas Isaacs, Associate Medical Director of Training indicates: • Oral saline (0.9% NS) is being removed from Protocol 431 Heat Related Emergencies as sodium based fluids could cause a patient to develop abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting. Water or a drink with electrolytes (various sports drinks) should be provided if the patient is conscious, has a gag reflex and is able to drink without assistance. • Albuterol Sulfate is currently the only medication that EMTs are authorized to administer by nebulizer.