Posted 11/20/09

The North Country EMS Program Agency will be closed on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th in lieu of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Our staff would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

 

Posted 10/9/09

H1N1 Vaccine Memo regarding EMS agencies and students [Memo pdf]

 

Posted 9/28/09

Second Annual Lewis County Fall EMS Seminar
Saturday November 14th, 2009 - Registration Form

 

Posted 9/4/09

CISM Perspectives has announced the return of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training for Fall 2009 [Flyer pdf]

This is the minimal training required for participation on any CISM Team or Peer Support Team in Fire, Law Enforcement, EMS, hospitals and all other public safety or emergency services. This is an intensive, multi-component 12-hour program that uses lecture, video, heavy class interactions, and an emphasis on practical skills training and scenarios.

• Dates: Friday December 18th 6PM-10PM, Saturday December 19th, 8:30AM-5PM, 2009
  
• Location: Penfield Ambulance Base, 1585 Jackson Road Penfield (Rochester), NY 14526 Class sponsored by the Highland Hospital Code Team
  
• Cost: $165 per student. Certificates of Completion and an elegant CISM pin will be provided.
  
  

Registration forms are attached to this message or, go to www.cismperspectives.com and download the registration form there.

A note of caution, this class fills quickly each time it is offered so register ASAP to ensure your seat(s).

Posted 8/24/09

North Country EMS Welcomes Cortney Sharlow

Hello, my name is Cortney Sharlow and I am the new secretary for the North Country EMS Program at SUNY Canton. I was born and raised in the North Country and grew up on a small farm in Hermon, N.Y. I now live in Waddington, N.Y with my husband and two small children, Brandon and Caiden.

I graduated from SUNY Canton in May 2009 with an A.A.S in Office Technology. I am looking forward to meeting all those involved with the agency.

 

Posted 8/24/09

Potsdam Vol. Rescue Open Per Diem Position

Potsdam Vol. Rescue Squad Inc. is soliciting qualified applicants for per diem shifts for emergency calls and/or transports. Applicants must have a valid unrestricted NYS drivers license or equivalent, current NYDOH certification at either the AEMT-CC or AEMT-P level, have a minimum of one year experience providing care at the ALS level, and be in good standing in the North Country region. Interested individuals should submit a resume and letter of experience to: Potsdam Vol. Rescue Squad Inc., PO Box 700 Potsdam NY 13676 or via email: Potsdamrescue@yahoo.com. Questions can be addressed to the same email or you can contact President Chris Cowen @ 315-244-0885. Compensation will be based on level of training experience.

 

Posted 8/24/09

New NYS Policy Statements
09-05: Certification for Individuals with Criminal Convictions
09-08: Reporting Incidents, Injuries, and Crashes
09-09: Fentanyl for Prehospital EMS Services

 

Posted 8/24/09

Report of Child Abuse or Maltreatment

 

Posted 8/12/09

Massena Rescue Squad is looking for a part-time New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technion's for 20 hours a week. Work hours will be 6:00 am to 10:00 am Monday through Friday. The position responsibilities include responding to emergency calls, keeping ambulances cleaned and stocked, and building maintenance and cleaning. The minimum qualifications include an Advanced EMT at the Critical Care level or higher.

Interested applications should submit: (1) a letter of interest, (2)a resume, and (3) the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least 3 professional references. Information should be sent to:

Eric Duchscherer
President
Massena Rescue Squad
P. O. Box 5314
Massena, NY 13662

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

 

Posted 7/9/09

URGENT - Medical Device Recall

HeartStart XL M4735A Defibrillator/Monitor
Device Does Not Turn On Due to Switch Failure

For more information go to http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/purchase/spg/pdfdocs/CL718.pdf

 

Posted 6/26/09

NYS DOH Policy Statement 09-07 Security and Safety of EMS Response Vehicles - Policy Statement [pdf]

 

Posted 5/19/09

Updated Bureau of EMS Advisory for Swine Flu

 

Posted 4/30/09

North Country EMS would like to thank all EMS providers for making our annual Spring Fling Conference a huge success. We are looking forward to seeing you next year, so please mark your calendars early for another great conference on April 22nd- 24th, 2010.

Spring Fling NYS EMS Update Power Point

 

Posted 4/10/09

ZOLL AED Plus Defibrillator

Audience: Emergency medical personnel
ZOLL Medical Corporation and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a Class 1 recall of ZOLL AED Plus Defibrillators distributed from May, 2004 through February 9, 2009. The recall was initiated because the device may fail to deliver a defibrillation shock, which could result in failure to resuscitate a patient during treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. On February 12 and March 31, 2009, the company sent their distributors and customers recall letters with recommendations and instructions for customers on specific steps to mitigate the identified problems with this device. See the Zoll letter at link below for details.

Read the complete MedWatch 2009 Safety Summary, including links to the FDA notice and the Zoll customer letter at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/safety09.htm#ZOLLAEDplus

Posted 3/4/09

FDA Enforces Stryker Medical Chair Recall

Under Recalls and Field Corrections: Devices—Class II, the weekly FDA Enforcement Report of February 11 reports the ongoing recall initiated by Stryker on November 18, 2008, of its medical stair-PRO stair-chair.

The Stryker Medical Division of Stryker Corp, Portage, Mich, recalled 213 chairs distributed nationally and in India, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom because the handle could come off. The bolts may back out over time, resulting in a risk of dropping the patient and/or injury to transport personnel, a delay in medical treatment, or a delay in evacuation.

The recall involves the Stryker medical stair-PRO stair-chair with wheels, patient transport device, model 6251, recall # Z-0648-2009; the Stryker medical stair-PRO stair-chair with wheels and a track system, patient transport device, model 6252, recall # Z-0649-2009; and the Stryker medical stair-PRO evacuation chair civilian use stair chair, patient transport device, model 6253, recall # Z-0650-2009.

Find all the serial numbers in the report online.

Link to Article: http://www.24x7mag.com/joltnews/2009-02-17_06.asp?frmTagFilePath=%2Fregulations_standards.asp

 

Posted 1/20/09

NYS DOT has created a new web site for travel information, including road conditions and travel advisories. Take a look at www.511ny.org

 

Posted 1/2/09

DOH Capnography Advisory 08-01

 

Posted 11/12/08

The Town of Watertown Ambulance Service is a fairly new Agency looking for good quality Medics and Paramedics. We have a competitive wage and flexible schedule. A clean NYS Drivers License and NYS Certifications a must. If you are looking for part-time employment and are committed to helping people please give us a call.

E-mail me at twas1@twcny.rr.com or call 315-788-9103 for an application or stop bt TWFD station 3 on Rt. 3. Please ask for Jim McLane.

Visit us on the web at townofwatertownambulance.com.

Posted 10/14/08

Updated NCREMAC Automatic ALS Dispatch Policy Statement 2008-06 [doc] [pdf]

 

Posted 9/12/08

Physio Control, Inc., issued a recall of LifePak CR Plus Automated External Defibrillators (AED), used by emergency or medical personnel to treat adults in cardiopulmonary arrest. The product was recalled because the AED instructs the responder by voice prompts to press the shock button which is not visible because it is covered, thereby making the responder unable to provide shock therapy. The AED device should be removed from service or the manufacturer-provided diagram should be consulted to remove and discard the shock button cover.

Read the entire 2008 MedWatch Safety Summary, including a link to the manufacturer's Recall Notice regarding this issue:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#LifePakCR

 

Posted 9/8/08

New Online CME Credits
Go to www.funcmes.com there you will find Podcast that are approximately 10 minutes long. Each month there will be a block of 4 podcast with related topics. You can watch each podcast and take the quiz for that block when finished. These are being offered through the University of Rochester and will need to be graded by them. Once you complete the quiz you will need to fill out the cover sheet completely and fax the cover sheet along with quiz answers to (585)-463-2966. They will then return it to the NCEMS office and we will return them to the provider. (Remember to circle North Country for your region)

 

Posted 8/18/08
Ferno Proflexx 35-X Stretcher warning  [ pdf ]

 

Posted 8/1/08

Important announcement in regards to the Ryan White Act
Please read the letters so that you know the new rules for accessing information on exposure to HIV. Thank you for your assistance in helping promote understanding of these new rules so that all EMS providers and all other emergency first responders are protected. For more information and to view the letter go to: http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/ems/aids/ryan_white_act/index.htm

Cardiac Screen Report [ pdf ]

Posted 6/27/08

NYS DOH Memo in regards to the MOLST Law [ pdf ]

NYS DOH BEMS Policy Statement 2008-04 Seatbelts [ pdf ]

 

6/13/08

On-line CME’s

The North Country EMS Program Agency in conjunction with the Mid-State, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Monroe-Livingston, and Susquehanna regions have developed an on-line CME web site to offer you free CME hours. Please go to www.funcmes.com to view the available trainings and follow the instructions for your region to submit tests for credit. Please remember to check the site for new additions as we will be routinely adding educational programs. This program is supported by the North Country Regional EMS Council and Committee.

 

6/9/2008

The application for BLS Blood Glucometry has once again changed, also please note that the fee has gone up to $200.00.

Attention Agencies : The limited laboratory application form changed on 1/09, you must use the most current form posted below and you no longer have to complete DOH – 3486. If you have any questions please feel free to call our office 379-3977

BLS Blood Glucometry
Instructions for BLS Blood Glucometry if approved by your Agency Medical Director
Complete limited laboratory registration form DOH - 4081 dated (1/09)

Limited Service Laboratory Registration Instructions and DOH form 4081 [pdf]


Once you receive a registration number please complete the regional application and call our office to set up a training 315-379-3977 and to obtain the final DOH-4362 form for completion. You must complete all paperwork and training prior to practicing, please see policy statement for specifics. If you are an ALS agency you should already have a limited laboratory registration number so you can start with the regional paperwork if your agency medical director approves blood Glucometry for BLS providers.

**Updated Policy Statement
North Country EMS Policy statement 2008-05 Blood Glucometry and Regional Application. BLS Blood Glucometry PS and App [pdf]

Once approved through the REMAC a screen must be filled out each time a BLS provider performs a finger stick Blood Glucose Screen.  Blood Glucose Screen [pdf]

Posted 2/11/08

Final Report on Mutual Aid/ALS Interface Use in Our Region [ pdf ]