The Responder
TM
Official Publication of the USA Department of EMS Education and the Center for Emergency Response Training
Volume 10, Issue 1
Fall 2006
EMS REGION 6 – A NEW BEGINNING
The University of South
Alabama, Department of
Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) Education is pleased to
announce its designation
(effective March 1, 2006) as the
new EMS regional coordinating
agency for EMS Region 6 by the
Alabama Department of Public
Health (ADPH). The new EMS
Region 6, under the direction of
David F. Garmon, is tasked with
EMS and trauma system
coordination in a seven county
area comprised of Mobile,
Baldwin, Escambia, Washington,
Monroe, Clarke and Conecuh
counties. The purpose of this
article is to define the regional
concept, describe the
development of the new EMS
regions, and highlight new
approaches and concerns at the
state EMS level.
As you may recall, in our Fall
2005 Issue of The Responder, we
discussed the fate of the original
six EMS regions. We explained
that the failure of the regions
resulted from the loss of
dedicated state funds, after four
of the six original agencies were
placed under the administrative
control of the Alabama
Department of Postsecondary
Education (ADPE). An
unfortunate side effect of the loss
of these entities was that the
field providers in the state of
Alabama neither had advocacy
nor an avenue of communication
with the state-level EMS
administrative agency.
Changes in Alabama’s EMS
system within the past year can
only be described as a
metamorphosis. Positive changes
at the state level had begun in
earnest a few years ago with the
efforts of Dr. Chris Rosco, who
was named the State EMS
Medical Director and the
Assistant State Health Officer
for Emergency Response. The
Office of Emergency Response
was created under the Alabama
Department of Public Health
(EMS Region 6 continued on page 2)
New Protocols Reflect EMS Progress
EMS providers who have been around for a
decade or two understand that Alabama EMS
has traditionally been slower to integrate
medications and procedures into our protocols
when compared to the surrounding states.
Positive changes within the EMS system in
Alabama are occurring and are beginning to be
reflected in our protocols. One of the most
positive changes, aside from the appointment of
Dr. John Campbell as state medical director, is
that the State Emergency Medical Control
Committee (SEMCC) is responding to his
proactive leadership and is beginning to
integrate new medications and procedures into
the protocols at an unprecedented rate. While it
may be years before Alabama’s protocols reflect
(New Protocols continued on page 4)
Inside...
Fast Facts
Education Pays Off!!
EMS News in Brief
Student Happenings
Please visit our website: www.usouthal.edu/ems
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The Responder
EMS REGION 6 (continued from page 1)
(ADPH) in an effort to prepare
for potential terrorism and
homeland security situations.
At about the time the 2005 issue
of The Responder was going to
print, Dr. Rosco elected to return
to full-time medical practice as
an emergency physician. The
vacancy he left as State EMS
Medical Director was filled by
Dr. John Campbell, the author
and developer of Basic Trauma
Life Support (BTLS), which has
long been the standard of trauma
care for paramedics and is now
recognized internationally as
International Trauma Life
Support (ITLS).
Under the ADPH’s current
organizational structure, the
Office of Emergency Response is
subdivided into the Center for
Emergency Preparedness and the
Office of EMS and Trauma. The
Center for Emergency Preparedness is currently headed by
Dr. Charles Woernle, an
epidemiologist and also the State
Health Officer for Disease Control
and Prevention. The Office of
EMS and Trauma is headed by
Dr. Campbell in his role as the
State EMS Medical Director.
Dr. Campbell and Dr. Woernle
work closely to assure that the
state’s homeland security and
disaster preparedness measures
will meet the needs of any
foreseeable emergency, with the
lessons learned from the 9-11
attacks and during Hurricane
Katrina. Two particular tasks
initiated under Dr. Rosco and
undertaken in earnest by
Dr. Campbell are developing the
State Trauma System at the EMS
level and improving the overall
EMS delivery system at the
provider level. In order to
accomplish these and other
important tasks, the re-initiation of
the EMS regions was paramount.
The new EMS regional approach
is much different than the one
mandated by the Code of
Alabama 1975, the original EMS
law in Alabama. The new EMS
regions are comparatively underfunded. Despite the initial
funding deficit, the potential for
EMS growth and improvement
under the new regional EMS
system is immense. Ever since
the ADPH’s renewed emphasis
on emergency response, the State
Health Officer, Dr. Donald E.
Williamson, has become much
more involved in activities close
to EMS. Due to concerns relating
to emergency preparedness,
trauma care, and homeland
security, it is estimated that
funding for regional EMS
operations could return to, and
possibly surpass, the original
levels. For the first time in many
years, the state EMS lead agency
has been mandated at the
highest level to proactively and
progressively improve EMS
operations. Dedicated to his
effort of providing the state
with adequate EMS coverage,
Alabama Governor Bob Riley is
insistent upon the newly
initiated regions being capable
of providing updates and
continuing education classes to
their constituents at minimal
cost or gratis. In order to meet
those demands, funding by the
state will have to increase to
assure that the necessary
resources are available.
Currently, the duties of the new
EMS regions are primarily to reestablish and maintain an
avenue of communication
between the State Office of EMS
and Trauma and the constituent
providers and provider services.
The loss of communication – with
the demise of the original regions
– affected improvements and the
natural development of EMS
delivery in the state of Alabama.
New updates, equipment and the
addition of new skills and
medications within the protocols
would have been difficult, if not
impossible, without the reestablishment of the regions.
As many are aware, protocol
updates have already been
implemented and protocol classes
are being coordinated throughout
the state by the new regions.
The new protocols are designed
to include changes in American
Heart Association guidelines for
basic life support (BLS) and
advanced cardiac life support
(ACLS) as well as the inclusion
of new medications and
procedures.
What does the future hold for
all of us in Alabama EMS? The
prospects are very promising.
Dr. John Campbell has long been
an innovative and outspoken
advocate of pre-hospital EMS.
His efforts have, in fact,
improved the way EMTs and
paramedics perform patient
care. His methods have always
promoted improved education
and training of pre-hospital
providers, and he has always
encouraged their integration
within established systems of
care. In addition to the
confidence and support that prehospital EMS providers receive
from Dr. Campbell, the events of
9-11 served as a wake up call to
everyone in public service as to
the importance of preparedness
and the roles of emergency
services. The catastrophe of
Hurricane Katrina specifically
illuminated the need for EMS
development and coordination,
and in addition emblazoned the
lesson in the minds of Alabama
public health officials due to the
close proximity of the storm’s
(EMS Region 6 continued on page 3)
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The Responder
EMS REGION 6 (continued from page 2)
effects. No longer will state government ever take
the importance of EMS and the necessity to
support its development and assurance for granted.
With such important factors now, finally, weighing
in our favor, the unprecedented and exponential
future growth of pre-hospital EMS within our state
is all but guaranteed.
NOTE: To review the article referred to in the Fall
2005 Issue, see The Responder, Volume 9, Issue 1;
“Where Did The EMS Regions Go?” - The article is
available online at www.usouthal.edu/ems (go to
the EMT/Paramedic Training Division tab and
find the “The Responder Library” link). All previous
issues of The Responder are available online in
Adobe (.PDF) format.
Fast Facts About USA - EMS Region 6
Beginning April 1, 2006, the University of South Alabama, Department of EMS Education was
awarded the regional administrative contract from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office
of EMS and Trauma. The region consists of Baldwin, Clark, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and
Washington counties.
1. Goal of the Region
• To promote quality
improvement in
emergency care.
• Serve as an advocate for the
EMS personnel within the
region.
• Serve as the facilitator for
the Alabama Department of
Public Health (ADPH) Office
of EMS and Trauma.
• Facilitate the development
and implementation of the
state-wide trauma plan.
2. Administrative personnel
• David F. Garmon,
Executive Director
• Frank Pettyjohn, M.D.,
Medical Director.
3. Location
• 253 Old Bay Front Drive
(next door to the EMS
Education Building)
• Mailing address and contact:
USA / Alabama EMS Region Six
2002 Old Bay Front Drive
Mobile, Alabama 36615-1427
Office: (251) 431-6418
FAX: (251) 431-6525
Cell: (251) 472-7810
Pager: (251) 482-1150
E-mail: dgarmon@usouthal.edu
Web site:
www.southalabama.edu/ems
4. Position statements:
• Every community deserves
access to the highest quality
of healthcare.
• The EMS community MUST
have input into the future
development of our system.
• We must strive for consensus.
• Every EMS provider is
important to our system.
• This is YOUR region.
• We are NOT the regulatory
agency.
• Our charge is to assist the
Office of EMS and Trauma
with:
• Administration
• Education
• Dissemination of
information to the providers
and parties of interest
• Development and
implementation of a
state-wide trauma plan.
5. Objectives for the current
contract:
• Function as the initial point
of contact for all local EMS
issues or concerns.
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• Assist the state staff in
collecting information and
formulating responses.
• Operate as an effective means
of communications between
local communities and the
state EMS office.
• Organize and coordinate local
EMS meetings especially
with the participants in a
regional Medical Direction
and Accountability
Committee (MDAC) Plan on
at least a quarterly basis.
• Assist local EMS Services
with pre-hospital data
collection and submission in
accordance with the EMSIS
program or other programs
so designated by the state
EMS rules.
• Assist local EMS Services,
Training Programs and the
Department with on-going
EMT credentialing and
education activities.
• Function as a clearing house
for EMS education activities
in the region.
• Assist the Department in
implementation and
coordinating regional
functions of a state-wide
trauma system.
The Responder
New Protocols (continued from page 1)
those of Mississippi or Florida, Alabama’s medical
control physicians are beginning to view our
paramedics and EMTs more positively. Confidence
and support of Alabama’s physicians in general,
and the State Emergency Medical Control
Committee in particular, are necessary if our EMS
providers are to be trusted with more medications
and procedures now commonplace in our
neighboring states. We as Alabama EMS providers
are beginning to receive such confidence and
support from our own physicians because
Dr. Campbell is a consummate advocate of prehospital EMS.
On August 6, 2006 the State Committee of
Public Health approved changes in the protocols
which include some new medications placed into
service starting in January 2007. One of the
changes made to the way that protocols are
maintained in our state is that the documents
have been formatted so that additions can be
made to them over time without completely
rewriting the manual. Such innovations reflect a
dynamic quality and probably signal that more
and more positive changes will occur in the future
of Alabama EMS. Not only have current protocols
been changed to reflect the changes in both basic
life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life
support (ACLS) at the national level, but new
medications have been added into the protocols.
Medications now included are thiamine
(previously carried by Alabama paramedics and
then removed from our pharmacopeia), calcium
gluconate and glucagon. Magnesium sulfate had
previously been added months before the August
6th changes.
The rules reflect expanded options regarding
medications and procedures that EMS provider
services wish to provide. Optional drugs and
procedures have been a part of Alabama EMS for
years. Nitrous oxide has been optional in Alabama
for over a decade, and some EMS provider
services decline to administer nitrous oxide due to
expense of delivery equipment and the strict
requirements of carrying and monitoring its use.
On the optional list of medications have been
added amiodarone and glucagon (perceived by
some as cost prohibitive) lorazepam, vasopressin
and morphine. Morphine sulfate is declined by
some services due to the stringent guidelines and
requirements attached to its inclusion, which
surpasses that of nitrous oxide. Procedures
considered optional are due to cost of equipment
and include 12-lead EKG monitoring, electronic
carbon dioxide monitoring of an intubated patient
(while colorimetric monitoring is required in lieu
of electronic) and the provision of portable
ventilators.
New innovations being explored for inclusion in
the Alabama EMS procedures includes the process
of adult intraosseous (IO) infusion. The Mobile
Fire Rescue Department has been conducting a
pilot study of the procedure and its application in
pre-hospital EMS under the watch of the State
Emergency Medical Control Committee for several
months now and the outcomes look promising for
inclusion into the general EMS protocols. The
procedure allows patients who desperately require
vascular access - such as cardiac arrest victims,
severe burns and trauma, and intractable seizure
patients – and upon whom paramedics are unable
to initiate normal intravenous access because of
vascular pathology, to receive medications and
fluids via an intraosseous route previously
restricted to very young children. The mechanism
of insertion is different than for intraosseous
access in children and requires the use of a
battery powered drill device specifically designed
to penetrate the fully ossified long bone of an
adult. Inclusion of the adult intraosseous route is
especially important because research used to
develop last year’s procedural changes within the
American Heart Association’s Advanced Cardiac
Life Support (ACLS) algorithms indicated that the
endotracheal (ET) route for medication
administration during cardiac arrest is much less
desirable and effective than previously thought. If
unable to initiate an intravenous line in a cardiac
arrest situation the only viable option for the
patient might well be an adult intraosseous
device.
One indicator of EMS progression in the state of
Alabama is that in the past two years the SEMCC
has been more open minded regarding the input
of its EMTs and paramedics. The Mobile Fire
Rescue Department recognized that adult IO use
was definitely something that could impact the
survival of its patients, and that it was
successfully used in other states in the prehospital EMS environment. They gained the
support of their medical control physicians and
(New Protocols continued on page 5)
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The Responder
New Protocols (continued from page 4)
approached the SEMCC with a proposal to study
the efficacy of the procedure for consideration of
possible inclusion in Alabama’s protocols. Their
efforts will probably result in the procedure’s
inclusion in normal EMS operations in our state
and the survival of many patients who may have
not survived intact, otherwise. Their success is
directly related to the trust that their medical
control physicians have in their abilities and the
trust that SEMCC has in both their service and
their medical control.
Currently, protocol updates are being instructed
by each provider service and are being monitored
by the new EMS regional agencies. Education by
each provider service of every licensed employee is
required through the end of 2006 so that new
procedures and medications can be initiated on
January 1, 2007. If you have any questions
regarding these, or any, issues please contact the
Director of EMS Region 6, David F. Garmon at
251-431-6418 (USA-EMS) or 251-472-7810
(Region 6 Cell).
Education Pays Off!!
Do you ever stop to think where
you will be in 5 years ….
10 years….? Is all of the
experience you’ve gained over
these years working as an EMT
or Paramedic going to be lost
when you leave the field?
Shouldn’t someone learn from
your mistakes as well as your
successes? Most of us went into
this field so we could help
people. Just because you have
gotten worn out from all of
those middle of the night calls,
that doesn’t mean you have to
leave the field to get ahead.
By checking out national
employment ads for
Paramedics, you will see some
interesting developments. More
and more services are
advertising for paramedics with
Bachelor’s degrees to fill their
supervisory and management
openings. As you know, there is
a great shortage of skilled
EMTs and Paramedics; but did
you know there is an even
greater shortage of qualified
EMS managers? By learning
sound EMS management
philosophy, instructional
methods, as well as leadership
skills, you greatly enhance your
chances of moving up into EMS
management. Each one of you
has experienced both good and
bad EMS management. What if
all supervisors and managers
were trained in good
management techniques wouldn’t you be more satisfied
with your job?
If you are interested in adding
a Bachelor’s degree to your
resume, contact Lyndal Curry
at (251) 431-6418 for
information. Five years from
now, you could have your BS
and maybe even your Master’s
degree, but you’ve got to start
sometime. There’s no time like
the present. If you don’t start,
you’ll never get there! Where do
you want to be in 5 years …..
10 years…?
We Should Be Ashamed!!
A recent job advertisement for
an ‘EMS Education and
Development Specialist’ agreed
to consider “alternative
licenses” such as Registered
nurses or Physician’s Assistants
in lieu of a Paramedic with a
BS degree. Why do you think
they would do this? Well, it’s
because we, as EMS providers,
are willing to sit back and let
outsiders take our jobs from us.
This ad was not from an
educational institution but from
an EMS service provider,
however, many of the EMS
instructor positions in
academia have to advertise for
these same “alternative
licenses” to fill positions.
More and more employers are
offering incentives for
education. Most employers will
pay at least part of your
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education then raise your pay
when you complete it.
Furthermore, education opens
doors. Jobs that were not open
to you before may open when
you apply with a bachelor’s
degree in your field.
Don’t let other professionals
take your jobs! Step up to the
plate, complete your education
and grab those jobs for
yourselves!
The Responder
EMS News In Brief...
Center with a realistic mock-up of a head-on
motor vehicle collision, complete with wrecked
cars and moulaged victims. Even though the
blood was actually grease paint the visual
experience intrigued many of the high school
students who attended the event and hopefully
helped spark an interest in a healthcare career.
Charlie Erwin, Clinical Coordinator with USA
EMS Education, is a member of the career fair’s
planning committee and participated in the yearlong process that culminated into an excellent
learning opportunity for Mobile area youth.
Charlie also actively coordinated the USA EMS
Education booth during the two-day fair, utilizing
EMS students to demonstrate the practical
aspects of paramedicine as well as answer
questions from the student groups. Hundreds of
high school students were conducted through the
exhibits in groups of 20 where they were exposed
to the nuances of several healthcare environments,
including a mock-up of an emergency department
and an operating room. The career fair was held on
November 2-3 and was deemed by everyone to be a
huge success.
Gail Knox Receives Dean’s Excellence
Award
Ms. Gail Knox, Secretary IV with the Department
of EMS Education here at USA, was awarded one
of the newly created “Dean’s Excellence” awards
within the USA School of Continuing Education
and Special Programs. Ms. Knox was presented
one of three service awards by Dean Thomas
Wells for her dedication to excellence for the
University of South Alabama and School of
Continuing Education and Special Programs.
Dr. Wells noted that the recipients of the awards
were nominated by their peers due to their
outstanding performance in improving service
and the image of their departments. Ms. Knox
has been employed by the University for twenty
four years, and has been assigned to the
Department of EMS Education for nineteen
years. Gail is a beloved and stable element in the
program and we hope to work with her for at
least twenty more years.
Charlotte Smith and Josh Harlan Wed
in Baldwin County
Stork Adds to USA EMS Grandkids
On Saturday, November 11, 2006 paramedics and
recent program graduates Charlotte Smith and
Josh Harlan were married at the Church on the
Eastern Shore in Fairhope, Alabama. Both
Charlotte and Josh are employed by MedStar
Ambulance Service in Baldwin County. We at the
Department of EMS Education heartily
congratulate Josh and Charlotte, and we wish
them many, many happy years together.
2006 brought in some new arrivals to our USA
EMS Education extended family. On July 22nd
Saxby Taborn Radford was born to Erin
(daughter of Lyndal and Tim Curry) and her
husband Jeff Radford in Birmingham. Gary and
Rebecca Varner welcomed two new additions –
Sarahbeth Grace Brewer, born September 20th to
Rebecca’s daughter Elizabeth and her husband
J.W. Brewer of Loxley, Alabama, and Myles
Matthew Fiedler, born October 24th to Rebecca’s
daughter Christy and her husband Jimmy
Fiedler of Appleton, Wisconsin. It is noteworthy
that the two girls both gave birth to daughters in
the summer of 2003 – The sisters were always
competitive when they were growing up.
Students Got a Crash Course in
Healthcare Careers
Students arriving at the Bay Area Healthcare
Coalition’s 2006 Health Occupations Career Fair
were greeted at the entrance of the Mobile Civic
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The Responder
2005-2006 Graduates
Our department salutes the accomplishments of our 2005-2006 paramedic graduates.
Burch, Alana
Burk, Stony
Chambers, Lee
Creighton, Phillip
Daughdrill, Dora (Arlene)
Eubanks, Robert
George, Charles
Sheffield, Deanna
Sheffield, Henry (Beau)
Simmons, Michael
Smith, Jessica
Snyder, Marc
Watson, Joe
Zajac, Kelly
Gilley, Lucas
Gruwell, Grant
Harlan, Joshua
Maclay, Julie
Miller, Micah
Ramey, Joshua
Redd, Stephen
The Department of EMS Education congratulates the following students who graduated
with a baccalaureate degree in interdisciplinary studies with EMS as a primary field of
study during 2005-2006:
Cox, James
Newby, Matthew
Scholarly Quotes:
“The flame of knowledge enkindled in the mind itself can make a person scholarly.”
- The Rig Veda 1700-1100 BCE “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
- Aristotle 384-322 BCE “Ignorance never settles a question.”
- Benjamin Disraeli 1804-1881 -
Training Coordinator’s Roundtable
Once again, the training coordinator’s roundtable
has had important work to do. On October 17,
2006, the training coordinators group met to receive
the new Protocols rollout training. All Training
Officers were provided with the materials to go
back to their services and train their employees in
the new Protocols. They will be very busy in the
next few weeks since the implementation date is
January 1, 2007. All services must train their staffs
and provide documentation to the Region by
December 31, 2006.
The complete listing of ALS protocols can be
found at the ADPH website, but here is a small
sample of the upcoming protocol changes.
• Glucagon, Magnesium Sulfate and Thiamine
added.
• Taser Protocol added
• Suspected Spinal Injury Protocol revised
• Transport of “Psych” patients clarified
• DNR Protocol rewritten
• Morphine changed to optional drug list
Everyone should take the time to familiarize themselves with the new protocols. The state has really
gone overboard to make these new protocols more in line with practice.
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The Responder
What is NIMS?
• NIMS is the acronym for the National Incident
Management System.
• It integrates effective practices in emergency
preparedness and response into a comprehensive
national framework for incident management.
• It will enable responders at all levels to work
together more effectively to manage domestic
incidents no matter what the cause, size or
complexity.
• It was ordered on February 28, 2003, when
President George W. Bush issued Homeland
Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-5,
Management of Domestic Incidents, which
directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to
develop and administer the National Incident
Management System.
• NIMS was released by Homeland Security
Secretary Tom Ridge on March 1,2004.
• The directive required Federal departments to
make adoption of NIMS by State, tribal and
local organizations a condition for Federal
preparedness assistance beginning in Fiscal Year
2005. In addition, all State, tribal and local
emergency personnel with a direct role in
emergency preparedness, incident management
or response were to have completed NIMS
training by October 1, 2005.
• All State, tribal and local personnel with any
type of emergency assignment were to have
completed NIMS training by October 1, 2006.
CERT Instructors Attend NIMS Train-the-Trainer Course
regional mechanisms for coordinating incident
management and obtaining assistance during largescale and complex incidents.” (FEMA quote)
All emergency response planners must be aware of
NIMS and conduct their training accordingly, to
ensure that trainers have the requisite knowledge
mandated by HSPD-5. CERT instructors have long
been intimately familiar with the Incident Command
System (ICS), as instructors for the university as well
as in their everyday roles as public responders in
hazardous materials, urban search and rescue, confined
space and rope rescue, among others—and are active
participants in the implementation of NIMS.
All CERT training follows NIMS guidelines. If you
have any questions regarding NIMS, please contact
Robert Maxwell at 251-431-6527 or e-mail
Rmaxwell@usouthal.edu.
CERT instructors Reggie Norton and Paul Phillips
recently completed a train-the-trainer course on the
National Incident Management System (NIMS) given
by the Alabama Department of Public Health. The
high level of incident-command knowledge of our
CERT instructors was quickly realized by the
presenters, and Reggie and Paul were able to provide
valuable assistance to the presenters during the course.
NIMS is a reality and must be adopted as a
requirement to receive Federal Preparedness assistance
funds. Mandated by Homeland Security Presidential
Directive 5 (HSPD-5)—Management of Domestic
Incidents—NIMS is a system “that improves response
operations through the use of the Incident Command
System (ICS) and other standard procedures and
preparedness measures. It also promotes development
of multi-jurisdictional, statewide and interstate
A Big Thanks from CERT
As our clients are well aware,
CERT would and could not exist
without their generosity and
support. As we receive no outside
funding or support—as do others,
such as public agencies—CERT
relies on our clients as we
continue to provide the best
emergency response training
available. This is a remarkable
accomplishment—that CERT has
been self-sustaining for almost
20 years!!—while at the same time
providing an invaluable service to
our communities of interest. Our
program, as a non-profit university
8
entity, is certainly not about
making money. Rather, it’s about
ensuring that our community is
ready to respond in the best
possible manner, in case of a
disaster.
Again, thanks.
The Responder
Student Happenings
The 2006 Annual
Disaster Drill – Student
Exercise on November
21st was an excellent
opportunity for
advanced students and
basic students alike to
experience a multiple
casualty/multiple
agency response
scenario. The annual
exercise is planned and
managed by Clinical
Coordinator Charlie
Erwin with assistance
from both adjunct instructors and faculty and
emphasizes the unexpected complications that
befall responders during multiple casualty
incidents. This year’s scenario cast the EMT
training building in the role of a multiple level
structure being utilized as a clandestine
methamphetamine laboratory in which an
explosion and fire occurred. Instructors
rearranged furniture within the building to
disorient participants, and filled the building
with a fog of non-toxic training smoke. Hidden
within the carnage were over twenty moulaged
simulated patients, played by basic EMT and
entry level paramedic students, who had to be
Each semester the Basic EMT
class is involved in what EMT
Basic Program Coordinator
Lyndal Curry calls “The
Geriatric Olympics.” Class
members are randomly
selected to become simulated
geriatric patients. The task is
accomplished by having
mechanisms of impedance
placed upon them that
simulate the effects of aging –
such as binding the joints of
the arms and legs to simulate
located by responding advanced EMS students,
removed from the building, triaged and
transported to a simulated hospital. The task
was accomplished with the involvement of
Mobile Fire Rescue Department who provided
both search and rescue personnel and
equipment, including an engine with a boom
scene light, as well as ambulances and
equipment from Mobile County EMS, MedStar
Ambulance, and AMR Ambulance Service. At
the conclusion of the exercise the participants
met in a debriefing session at which time their
activities were reviewed and input given by
observing EMS instructors.
arthritis, binding the fingers
and wrists with tape to
diminish the sensory and
motor abilities, and wearing
of glasses with petroleum
jelly smeared on the lenses to
simulate cataract vision. The
students are then asked to
execute tasks that seem
trivial to younger persons but
require fine motor skills, such
as - counting out money,
placing it in a plastic bag and
retaining the total - looking
Student Happenings continued on page 10
9
The Responder
Student Happenings (continued from page 9)
up the telephone number of a
relative or ambulance service
in a standard phonebook, and
using a telephone with an
extremely low volume (and
irritable telephone operator)
while wearing a football
mouthpiece (to make
speaking difficult) in an
attempt to call an
ambulance. The exercise
never fails to demonstrate
hurtles that older patients
face performing even routine
activities. EMT student
participants always walk
away from the experience
with a little more compassion
and understanding toward
the geriatric population who
will ultimately comprise most
of the patients they answer
during their EMS careers.
2007 Continuing Education Schedule
The following schedule reflects our American Heart Association training; BLS (Basic Life Support/CPR), ACLS
(Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). If you have any questions or
comments please contact our Continuing Education Coordinator, Dave Faggard (Uncle Dave) at 251-431-6418 or
email at Dfaggard@usouthal.edu.
DATE
PROGRAM
LOCATION
DATE
PROGRAM
LOCATION
January 8
HCP-BLS
Brookley
July 12
ACLS Recertification
Brookley
January 11-12
ACLS Provider
Brookley
July 16
HCP-BLS
Brookley
February 1
ACLS Recertification
Brookley
July 26-27
PALS Provider
Brookley
February 5
HCP-BLS
Brookley
August 6
HCP-BLS
Brookley
February 15-16
PALS Provider
Brookley
August 15
PALS Recertification
March 12
HCP-BLS
Brookley
March 14
PALS Recertification
Brookley
USA
Children’s
& Women’s
April 2
HCP-BLS
Brookley
September 10
HCP-BLS
Brookley
April 12-13
ACLS Provider
Brookley
April 26-27
PALS Provider
Brookley
May 3
ACLS Recertification
Brookley
May 7
HCP-BLS
Brookley
May 31
PALS Recertification
Brookley
June 7-8
ACLS Provider
June 11
June 26-27
September 13-14 ACLS Provider
Brookley
October 1
HCP-BLS
Brookley
October 11
ACLS Recertification
Brookley
October 23-24
PALS Provider
USA
Children’s
& Women’s
Brookley
November 5
HCP-BLS
Brookley
HCP-BLS
Brookley
November 8-9
ACLS Provider
Brookley
PALS Provider
USA
Children’s
& Women’s
November 15
PALS Recertification
Brookley
10
The Responder
MRS. HARBISON’S FAMOUS
SEAFOOD GUMBO
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1 gallon of raw, cleaned (shells removed) shrimp
1/2 gallon of raw oysters
3 lbs of crab meat (claw meat works best)
Add the 1/2 can of chicken base, salt and
1 cup of chopped onions
pepper and cook for another 15 minutes.
1 cup of chopped celery
Take the okra and put into a separate
1 cup of chopped bell pepper
pan and simmer/stirfry all of the
2 gallons of water
“slimyness” out. Then add the okra and
1/2 can of chicken base
one small can of tomato sauce and
simmer another 25 minutes.
2 cups of dark roux (heat oil in frying pan,
add flour to paste and brown – dark)
Add shrimp, oysters and crab and cook
1 tablespoon black pepper
an additional 15 minutes.
1/4 tablespoon salt
Turn off and add the filé.
4 cups of cut okra
“Med Chef” is an annual article in
2 teaspoons of filé
The Responder dedicated to recipes
1 small can of tomato sauce
submitted by EMS personnel with whom
• Note about roux - which is a thickener and binder
for the dish. Place oil or butter in a frying pan and
heat and then stir in flour until it browns and yields
2 cups of roux. French roux is equal amounts of flour
and butter. Creole roux utilizes lard or bacon fat
instead of butter. Your goal is to cook the flour until it
loses its raw flour taste and then browns to the color
of gravy.
• Note about filé – which is the dried leaves of the
sassafras tree. It is available at stores in the south in
the spice section, but use only fresh filé, it looses its
flavor after about three months. It is generally added
in any dish after the heat is turned off.
Brown the roux in the bottom of a boiler, after it
browns add 1 cup chopped onions, 1 cup chopped
celery and 1 cup chopped bell pepper with the
2 gallons of water and cook for 40 minutes. Cook
at minimal boil and stir frequently to prevent
burning.
we are acquainted. The recipes can be
used easily by personnel in fire or
ambulance stations to prepare meals for
hungry responders on duty – or by
individuals to provide pleasant and
nutritious meals for growing families. We
encourage any of our readers to submit
recipes of their own for consideration or
to provide feedback concerning their
experiences with published recipes.
This year’s recipe is from Larry Harbison
who is a 2003 USA EMS Education
Program graduate and practicing
paramedic. His family has been
commercial fishermen for generations
and has deep-rooted traditions regarding
both living with the sea and eating its
bounty. This recipe is his mother’s for
gumbo that will make folks fight over
the leftovers. Believe us, we have seen it
happen…
To send in recipes or feedback please e-mail Gvarner@usouthal.edu
Enjoy!
11
University of South Alabama
Department of EMS Education and
Center for Emergency Response Training
2002 Old Bay Front Drive
Mobile, AL 36615-1427
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 506
Mobile, AL
The Responder
Department of EMS Education
Center For Emergency Response Training
David W. Burns, M.P.H., EMT-P
Chair
David W. Burns, M.P.H., EMT-P
Director
Frank S. Pettyjohn, M.D.
Medical Director
Rob Maxwell, M.F.A., M.S.
CERT Program Coordinator
David Garmon, M.Ed., NREMT-P
Program Director / Curriculum & Student Services
Reggie Norton, EMT-B
Senior Instructor
Vince Parker, M.S., NREMT-P
Program Director / Clinical Skills
Paul Phillips, EMT-B
Instructor
Lyndal Curry, M.A., NREMT-P
Faculty / Basic Coordinator
Josh Vaughn, EMT-B
Instructor
Gary Varner, M.P.H., NREMT-P
Faculty / Epidemiologist
Chad Sprinkle, EMT-B
Instructor
Charlie Erwin, EMT-P
Clinical Coordinator
James Peavey, EMT-B
Instructor
David Faggard, EMT-P
Continuing Education Coordinator
Administration
Gail Knox
Stanley Vinson, NREMT-P
Adjunct Instructor
Sharon Walker
Thad Weishaar
12